LPGA announces change to Q-Series qualification criteria

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), yesterday, announced that beginning in 2022, players must compete as professionals in Q-Series, the final stage of qualifying for the LPGA Tour. If an amateur player advances to or is exempt from Q-Series, she must turn professional to compete for the opportunity to earn LPGA Tour membership, reports lpga.com.

All players who qualify for Q-Series through Stage II of Q School receive Epson Tour status. Amateur players can continue to compete as amateur, which is permitted on the Epson Tour, or may elect to turn professional and compete for an opportunity to advance directly to the LPGA Tour.

The Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour, has a mission to prepare the world’s best young women professional golfers for a successful competitive career. Since its inception in 1999, more than 600 Epson Tour alumnae have earned LPGA Tour membership, including major champions, Nelly Korda, Lorena Ochoa and Inbee Park.

This decision, which came with the following feedback from the LPGA Tour Membership and the college coaching community, will provide the fairest and most consistent pathways to the LPGA Tour. Requiring professional status for Q-Series competitors will set an equal playing field for those committed to competing full time on the LPGA Tour.

“LPGA Q-Series is the final stage to competing on the LPGA Tour, which is a fully professional tour that requires that its Membership competes as professional athletes,” said Ricki Lasky, Chief Tour Business and Operations Officer for the LPGA.

“Ensuring all competitors have made the same choice to be a professional player elevates the Q-Series competition and creates the most appropriate options for athletes at different