After controversy, Lucy Li turns pro, will play Symetra Tour
11/7/2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
The 17-year-old went through the LPGA Tour Q-Series and has taken the first step to realizing her LPGA dream
Lucy Li (Redwood City, Calif.), the 17-year-old star of U.S. Junior Ryder Cup, Curtis Cup and Junior Solheim Cup teams, has decided to turn pro and pursue her dream of eventually reaching the LPGA Tour.
Li recently advanced far enough through the LPGA Tour Q-Series to earn status on the Symetra Tour for 2020, but even had she earned LPGA Tour status she would not have been allowed to play due to her age (the minimum age for the LPGA Tour is 18).
Earlier this year, Li was the subject of controversy regarding her amateur status, after appearing in advertising for the Apple Watch. Eventually the USGA allowed her to retain her amateur status with a "one time warning", a decision which only stoked the controversy.
Related: Lucy Li retains am status as USGA issues 'one-time warning'
The San Francisco Chronicle was the first to report that the Li family had notified the USGA of her decision to turn pro.
Li first grabbed the attention of the golf world by qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open at the age of 11.
Li recently advanced far enough through the LPGA Tour Q-Series to earn status on the Symetra Tour for 2020, but even had she earned LPGA Tour status she would not have been allowed to play due to her age (the minimum age for the LPGA Tour is 18).
Earlier this year, Li was the subject of controversy regarding her amateur status, after appearing in advertising for the Apple Watch. Eventually the USGA allowed her to retain her amateur status with a "one time warning", a decision which only stoked the controversy.
Related: Lucy Li retains am status as USGA issues 'one-time warning'
So excited for the next step in my golf career, on and off the course 🥰 #StageII #DriveOn #Road2LPGA https://t.co/GDCU1bDw3h
— Lucy Li (@lucyli_golf) October 13, 2019
Li first grabbed the attention of the golf world by qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open at the age of 11.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s originalLoading latest news...