Avani Prashanth starts strong with a 3-under 69, placing her in a tie for 15th at the LPGA Qualifying
Four Indian lady pros —Avani Prashanth, Sneha Singh, Nikita Arjun, and Drishti Karumbaya—are at the first stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament in Palm Springs, California this week as they hope to gain entry into the lucrative LPGA Tour where the world’s best lady players compete each week.
17 year old Amateur Avani Prashanth, a two-time All India Amateur Ladies Champion, will look to join the professional ranks if she can get to the Qualifying finals and earn LPGA playing rights.
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Sneha Singh, the 2023 Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour (Hero WPGT) rankings champion, advanced to the 2nd Stage of the 2023 LPGA qualifier but has gained vital experience playing on the Thai LPGA in 2024.
Nikita Arjun, an Indian-born graduate of Armstrong University in the USA, has played the LPGA’s 2nd rung Epson Tour and has tried to get through the Qualifier a few times in the past.
Drishti Karumbaya from Mysore, who is a graduate of Cal State East Bay in USA has also entered her name in the qualifier.
The LPGA Q-Series for 2024 starts with this week’s Pre-Qualifying Tournament played in oppressive heat and humidity in California, with the top 95 players out of 300 advancing to Stage II in Florida.
Stage II will take place from October 15-18 from where the top 80 get to the 6 round (108 hole) Final Qualifying, December 5-9 in Alabama. Here, players will compete for 25 LPGA full playing right tour cards for the 2025 season.
The top 25 finishers will earn LPGA Tour full status for 2025, while those finishing 26-45 and ties will receive conditional LPGA and Epson Tour status. Players outside the top 45 will gain partial Epson Tour status for the upcoming season.
Photo – LET