LPGA Qualifying Tournament 2014

The final stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament 2014 is set. From the 3rd – 7th December 2014, players will compete at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida, to earn positions on the LPGA priority list.

Among the contenders are some notable names who will be giving it everything they have got to earn their spot on the LPGA tour. Charley Hull and Minjee Lee are two of the names that spring out at you as your eyes meander down the starters list.

USA hopefuls are plentiful and the line up includes players from other tours including Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) and the Ladies European Tour (LET).

It is a tough road for these golfers who have forged loyal friendship’s but become fierce rivals once they drive that ball down the first fairway. Ultimately, they challenge themselves and the reward, the payoff, has been their goal of carving a career on the LPGA tour. It has been a long year, some better equipped to negotiate the rocky road that has lead them back to these last 4 days. Some returning, determined to succeed. Players hoping to keep their LPGA dreams alive are Ryann O’Toole,(USA), Paula Moreno (Col), Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Lori Kane (Can).

The Field

I would be keeping my eyes on quite a few players, after all they are the future of golf. Players like ….. Stephanie Meadow a Northern Ireland professional golfer who has shown promise in college golf and finished 3rd in the US Women’s Open this year. I’m waiting for Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang or Ariya Jutanugarn to play 4 solid days, they have what it takes to win. I’m also watching for Cheyenne Woods to turn the corner after showing strength in capturing the Volvik RACVLadies Masters in Australia at the start of the season. ALPG

Howard-“If I could get in the top 20 it would mean that I worked hard to get where I want to be” LPGA Website

With so many players in the field and so many you want to see make it through, here are my picks of players to get into the top 20 this week.

Ginger Howard (USA) a local favourite, recently got the honours at LPGA Qualifying Tournament stage 2 but had to tough it out on the Symetra Tour, without a top 10 finish for her efforts. “If I could get in the top 20 it would mean that I worked hard to get where I want to be, but I would still have things I want to do. It would not stop the journey and I think no matter what happens I am going to stay positive. It would definitely mean a lot to me to play on the LPGA.” LPGA Website. Howard will need to hold her composure and if she has her sister on the bag it may just be the confidence boost she needs.

Charley Hull (Eng) comes off a very successful year on the LET and had her first professional win in March. She’s posted 8 top ten finishes including 1 top ten on the LPGA. She captured 12th place at this year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open. Hull is likely to end the LET season 2nd on the ISPS Handa Order of Merit. To qualify for the LPGA will top her year off greatly.

Rebecca Artis – Credit: Tristan Jones – LET

Rebecca Artis (Aus) With a professional win under her belt in 2013, 2 top 10 finishes on the LET and three top 10 finishes this year on the Symetra Tour, Artis will apply all that she needs to succeed this week. Rated 3rd in driving accuracy and 4th in greens in regulation on the Symetra Tour, some solid putting will earn Artis her spot. Let’s hope the balls drop for her.