LPGA Q Series: Robyn Choi takes the top spot after the third round
Robyn Choi (LPGA Photo)
After more than three inches of rain on the last two days, the third round of the LPGA Q-Series was postponed Saturday morning due to unplayable course conditions. Robyn Choi from Australia added a flawless 7-under 64 in her third round to take a one-shot lead at the Falls Course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove in Mobile, Alabama.
Choi found herself in a tied-15th position after the first 36 holes, having carded impressive rounds of 69 and 68. Taking advantage of a weather-induced day off, she returned with a stellar performance in the third round, posting a remarkable score of 64. This exceptional round featured eight birdies, five of which came on her back-nine.
An accomplished Epson Tour player, Choi competed in 21 events this season, flawlessly making the cut in each one. Despite her consistent performances, she concluded the season in 12th place on the Money List, narrowly falling short of securing an LPGA card by a mere two spots. Given that LPGA cards are granted to the top 10 finishers, she returned to Q-School.
Mao Saigo of Japan, Hyo Joon Jang of South Korea, and American Mina Harigae, a three-time Epson Tour winner, trail Choi at 12-under par. Saigo posted scores of 69-68-65, Jang recorded 69-66-67, and Harigae achieved a total of 68-66-68, placing them T2 at 12-under par.
The third round saw four players shooting an 8-under 64, three on the Crossings Course, and the 54-hole leader Robyn Choi on the Falls Course.
Diksha Dagar of India, who finished third on the Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit in 2023, made a significant leap from T52 to T10 with a stellar round of 8-under 64. Meanwhile, Lauren Stephenson, the 2019 LPGA Tour Rookie, surged from T67 to T14 after carding a flawless 64. Additionally, Colombian Mariajo Uribe, starting her round at T78, propelled herself to a tie for 24th with her impressive score of 64. Their performance fell just one shot short of matching the 18-hole tournament scoring record on the Crossings Course, a record set by Stephanie Kyriacou in her fourth round in 2021 with a score of 9-under 63.
Following the conclusion of the fourth round, the top 65 and ties will progress to the final two rounds. Subsequently, among this group, the top 20 and ties will earn coveted LPGA Tour status in Category 14.
The final round will now take place on Wednesday to ensure six rounds of competition.
ABOUT THE
LPGA Qualifying Series - 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 successful
qualifiers having to decide whether to remain amateur
or turn pro and play Final Stage qualifying.
View Complete Tournament Information