Nataliya Guseva, a Russian-born golfer who earned her LPGA card in Q-Series two weeks ago, headed to Morocco for a bid at Ladies European Tour membership. Guseva not only earned a second tourcard, but she also dominated the competition, winning 2024 Lalla Aicha Q-School with a four-shot margin.
Guseva, 20 years old, closed her five-round round with a score of 69. She finished at 23 under 340. Guseva, who won the Black Desert Resort Championship on the Epson tour in 2023, became the first Russian to achieve LPGA status when she tied for the 23rd place at LPGA Q-Series on December 5.
Guseva who played college golf at the University of Miami said, “It’s incredible.” It’s amazing that I already had my LPGA Tour card when I arrived here, and now I’m here winning LET Q School. I’ve always wanted to do this.
Glory to Gus
Nataliya Guseva finishes no.1 at Final Stage – Lalla Aicha Q-School
#RaiseOurGame | #LETQSchool pic.twitter.com/H8EF7X1r44
Ladies European Tour December 20th, 2023
Due to guidelines of the International Olympic Committee, Guseva does not have a Russian flag next to her name on any LPGA or LET website. Individuals who qualified from Russia in 2024 will compete at the Paris Olympics as neutral athletes. At the Games, no flags, anthems or colors of Russia will be displayed.
Maria Verchenova was the first Russian woman to be awarded LET status. She competed at the 2016 Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro, where she set a new course record of 62 points before finishing 16th.
The LET 2024 has a total of 22 Category 12 members, and 30 Category 16 members.
Cara Gorlei, from South Africa, finished second with 19 points under par while Thailand’s AunchisaUtama took third place.
Shannon Tan of Singapore, who is a Texas Techs athlete, tied for eighth place with Annabell Fuller of the University of Florida.
Teresa Toscano of Spain made an impressive statement in the final round with a 64-point score to tie for 10th.
