Charlotte Thomas described this week in her professional life as a “do-or-die” chapter. Thomas, six years into play-for-pay ranks felt that the eight rounds of Q-Series could have been a sign.
The sign said, “Back to the LPGA.”
Thomas said she was tired and ready to have a drink. She tied for 28th place to get her 2023 tour card. At Q-Series, which is a 144-hole grind in Alabama that takes place over two weeks, 46 players were awarded LPGA cards.
Thomas said, “I think that when I look back at last year, it was disappointing that I lost my credit card and had to return here.” However, Thomas added, “But I think that the fact that I didn’t play golf for 16 month was – I kinda don’t give myself enough credit sometimes, I don’t think.”
Thomas was unable to attend the 2021 LPGA season because he couldn’t find a treatment that would treat his chronic eczema.
Everybody in Dothan’s field has a story. While some have worked in the professional ranks for many years, others like Valery Plata from Michigan State, made it to the pro ranks just before Q-Series. Aline Krauter, a recent Stanford grad, was third in Plata’s ranking.
Hae Ran Ryu (KLPGA veteran) is the tournament winner and is currently ranked 50th in world. (Epson Tour Photo)
South Korea’s Hae Ran Ryu is currently No. 50, currently No. 49 in the Rolex Rankings, was the top of the field, scoring Bailey Tardy two strokes behind.
Tardy was $343 short of earning her LPGA card via the Epson Tour two years ago. Tardy was 11th on this year’s money list, just missing the 10th place by $1,765.
Tardy said that she actually told her caddie while walking down, probably 15, that I was not going to sign up for QII. “I believe I signed up about 15 minutes before the deadline. That was because my coach said so and was like, This is your chance, you can’t lose that.
“And I didn’t want to go to Q-School at any time. At the beginning of the school year, I made it clear to everyone that I wasn’t going to Q School. It’s not what I want to do. This is not what I want.
“And I’m so glad I did.”
Category 14 status is awarded to the top 20 players and tied players. Category 15 status is given to those who finish 21-45 and tie players. Epson Tour status was awarded to 2023-year-old players who were not in the top 45 but completed the four rounds prior to the cut.
Dana Finkelstein tied for 15th.
LPGAQ-SERIES Leaderboard
Superstition Mountain is where I started golf. When I was 12-13, I went to the Safeway Open and watched Annika [Sorenstam] play and Morgan [Pressel] watch. I have photos of me as a 12-year old at the golf course. It’s pretty cool to see that I’ll be playing and another 12-year-old will be watching. It’s quite cool.”
The LPGA Drive On Championship will be the first full-field LPGA tournament of the season and will take place in Gold Canyon, Arizona, March 23-26, 2023.
Finkelstein, a LPGA veteran, was 15th with Polly Mack (2022 Alabama grad), who managed to hold on despite a closing score of 76. Mack played 72 holes without a caddie, but hired a friend for the second week.
Alexa Pano (18-year-old star in “The Short Game”), shot 68-67 during the weekend but missed the top 20. Pano became a professional in spring and placed 13th on this season’s Epson Tour money list.
Jaravee Boonchant was among three former Duke players to finish in the top 45. Boonchant was accompanied by Gina Kim, a former Blue Devil teammate. Together with Ana Belac (T38), the pair helped Duke win its 2019 NCAA title. (Kim received her LPGA card via the Epson Tour earlier in the year.
Lindy Duncan, an ex-NCAA Player of the Year at Duke shot three consecutive 73s in order to share 38th.
Boonchant tied for 21. “She was the one who put me in my place and helped shape my thoughts and mental game.
“I am truly grateful for that.”
