LPGA Q-Series: Ssu-Chia Cheng leads after round one
12/1/2023 | by Amit Pandey of AmateurGolf.com
see also: View results for LPGA Q-School Final Stage, Magnolia Grove Golf Club - Crossings Course
Savannah Grewal is just one shot back in second place after the opening round.
90 holes, five more days remain in between 104 golfers who are vying for the LPGA status at the LPGA Q-Series, the final qualifying stage being played out at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove - Crossings Course, a Par-72, and Falls Course, a Par-71, in Mobile, Alabama.
Ssu-Chia Cheng, a two-time winner on the Epson Tour from Taipei, carded an opening round of 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead in the tournament's opening round.
22-year-old Savannah Grewal, the Clemson University standout who turned professional last week to compete in the Q-Series, carded a 5-under 66, which included six birdies and a lone bogey on hole No. 15 and a missed birdie on No. 18, which would hold her back from the share of the lead.
Grewal is joined by Giggi Stoll at T2.
Savannah Grewal was one of just seven players who made it through the first two Stages of LPGA and Epson Tour Qualifying School, putting together impressive showings in both Stages.
Grewal finished in a tie for first at Stage I and in a tie for sixth at Stage II, ultimately deciding to turn professional and head to LPGA Q-Series, forgoing her final year of eligibility at Clemson University.
In 2022-2023, she competed in 35 rounds for the Clemson Tigers. Grewal led the team in stroke average at 71.77 and was named to the 2023 All-ACC Team.
She also qualified for the NCAA Individual National Championship earlier this spring, just the second player in Clemson history to do so. Grewal carded a 9-under 63 in the final round of the Pullman Regional, the lowest-round gross score in Clemson history.
Lilly Thomas, a former University of Tulsa player, carded a 4-under 67 at the Falls Course, securing a T4 position after 18 holes. Saki Baba, the former World No. 2 amateur, carded a 3-under 69 at the Crossings Course, placing her T13.
Following her is Briana Chacon, a former University of Oregon golfer who carded a 1-over 73 at the Crossings Course, and she is T66.
As per the rules, players must compete in Q-Series as a professional, “Any amateur player advancing from Stage II or exempt to Q-Series must compete in Q-Series as a professional.”
Out of the nine amateurs who qualified for the Q-Series through Stage II, only four opted to turn professional: Savannah Grewal, Saki Baba, Lilly Thomas, and Briana Chacon.
The Q-Series is spread over six days and 108 holes, where the top 20 and ties will earn LPGA Tour status in Category 14.
Ssu-Chia Cheng, a two-time winner on the Epson Tour from Taipei, carded an opening round of 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead in the tournament's opening round.
22-year-old Savannah Grewal, the Clemson University standout who turned professional last week to compete in the Q-Series, carded a 5-under 66, which included six birdies and a lone bogey on hole No. 15 and a missed birdie on No. 18, which would hold her back from the share of the lead.
Grewal is joined by Giggi Stoll at T2.
Savannah Grewal was one of just seven players who made it through the first two Stages of LPGA and Epson Tour Qualifying School, putting together impressive showings in both Stages.
Grewal finished in a tie for first at Stage I and in a tie for sixth at Stage II, ultimately deciding to turn professional and head to LPGA Q-Series, forgoing her final year of eligibility at Clemson University.
She also qualified for the NCAA Individual National Championship earlier this spring, just the second player in Clemson history to do so. Grewal carded a 9-under 63 in the final round of the Pullman Regional, the lowest-round gross score in Clemson history.
Lilly Thomas, a former University of Tulsa player, carded a 4-under 67 at the Falls Course, securing a T4 position after 18 holes. Saki Baba, the former World No. 2 amateur, carded a 3-under 69 at the Crossings Course, placing her T13.
Following her is Briana Chacon, a former University of Oregon golfer who carded a 1-over 73 at the Crossings Course, and she is T66.
As per the rules, players must compete in Q-Series as a professional, “Any amateur player advancing from Stage II or exempt to Q-Series must compete in Q-Series as a professional.”
Out of the nine amateurs who qualified for the Q-Series through Stage II, only four opted to turn professional: Savannah Grewal, Saki Baba, Lilly Thomas, and Briana Chacon.
The Q-Series is spread over six days and 108 holes, where the top 20 and ties will earn LPGA Tour status in Category 14.
About the LPGA Q-School Final Stage
Final stage of qualifying consists of 8 stroke play rounds over consecutive weeks, with the top 45 players and ties earning LPGA Tour status, and all others earning Symetra Tour status. Each year, many top amateurs try to earn their Tour cards, with ...
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