2019 LPGA Q-School

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> > @Newinup said:

> > > @18majors said:

> > > > @Newinup said:

> > > > > @18majors said:

> > > > > > @Newinup said:

> > > > > > > @18majors said:

> > > > > > > @Newinup

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > What's Bianca Pagdanganon doing in New York? Shouldn't she be practicing at Pinehurst?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > huh? where'd you get that? and if she is, i think i know why (she's chilling... :) (or could be just a layover on the flight to NC but my guess is that she's chilling there :)

> > > > >

> > > > > She seems to be on an assignment from Symetra Tour.

> > > >

> > > > That I wouldn't be privy of... Assignment From symetra tour means?.

> > >

> > > She took over Symetra Tour’s Instagram account and was shilling for something.

> >

> > LOL, I checked the IG, that was Patty Tavatanakit 18majors. She's doing a day in NY for the Symetra Tour... (I'm keeping mum on everything else about B except discussing golf for now - as I should have not speculated myself without checking what 18majors was initially talking about eg IG symetra post :)

>

>

> Sorry about that; but I'm happy it wasn't Bianca on the video.

> Now is the time to pay full attention to golf.

 

No worries, would have been surprised truth be told if she would be doing that (though not out of her realm to chill out for a day or two after a tough 4 rounds, but not in NY if the next tournament is in Pinehurst LOL). Couldn't check last night in my laptop where I can easily view instagram (didn't install IG app on my phone) hence I was doing guesswork too...

[18majors]

Yealimi Noh posted an Instagram instant video from her hotel room; she’s first class all the way, not a starving student.

Money can’t buy everything; but it comes handy for creature comfort.

Life is so fragile; how things would be different if she didn't salvage Stage II with her final round 65!

[18majors]

Yuka Saso has to be careful about her choice of whether Symetra Tour or JLPGA?

She should pick Symetra Tour to fulfill her goal of No. 1 by age 24.

Top-10 in Symetra Tour is by far the surest way to earn a LPGA card.

 

[xxio]

Will the Japanese sponsors still be there if she chooses the Symetra Tour?

 

It is not cheap to keep playing in the US if you don't have a home to go to when there are no tournaments. Symetra Tour purses are not big enough, unless you keep winning of course.

 

Maybe she can do Japan 1 year to gain the confidence of winning as a professional first.

[18majors]

> @xxio said:

> Will the Japanese sponsors still be there if she chooses the Symetra Tour?

>

> It is not cheap to keep playing in the US if you don't have a home to go to when there are no tournaments. Symetra Tour purses are not big enough, unless you keep winning of course.

>

> Maybe she can do Japan 1 year to gain the confidence of winning as a professional first.

 

I agree with you on endorsements and other financial consideration.

But, she won't be No. 1 in the world playing JLPGA.

She could win 5 JLPGA titles next year and make millions in endorsement; but she'll face the same LPGA qualification one year from now.

It'll be another 2-week crapshoot that she may fail.

 

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> Yuka Saso has to be careful about her choice of whether Symetra Tour or JLPGA?

> She should pick Symetra Tour to fulfill her goal of No. 1 by age 24.

> Top-10 in Symetra Tour is by far the surest way to earn a LPGA card.

>

 

This latest data point surely adds to an interesting twist to her choices now: a) JLPGA (if she passed final stage), b) Symetra and c) Georgia Bulldog?? (though her actions seem to indicate she wants to turn pro so this might have been totally shelved already). You are better equipped to know based on years/decades (?) of watching these younger gen players as to what seems to be a risky/better path... I agree though, symetra is a "cleaner" path, since it's already based in the US and you're already in the minor league (of LPGA)...

[18majors]

Pinehurst #6 is listed as par 71 and 6,452 yards; #9 is par 72 and 6,595 yards.

Last year, the best round was Alison Lee's 65 at #6, not many rounds in the sixties. Lucky 6 was the only player who didn't have any over par rounds.

 

[https://lpga.ocs-lpga.com/factsheets/2019/QSER/File_3.pdf](https://lpga.ocs-lpga.com/factsheets/2019/QSER/File_3.pdf "https://lpga.ocs-lpga.com/factsheets/2019/QSER/File_3.pdf")

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Yuka should definitely play on the JLPGA. Better competition, and less travel. I believe the purses are higher, too. At this point it's not simply about securing an LPGA card. Plenty of Symetra Tour players have gotten a card, and struggle to keep it. To me it's about the competition, playing against the best. The JLPGA is talent rich.

 

If she can move into the World Top 75, then she gets a direct pass to Q-Series. I count ~10 players currently in the Top 75 playing on the JLPGA. She should have no problem if she has the talent, and wants to move to #1.

 

[18majors]

This's why non-members will outperform LPGA/Symetra members. It's bright new opportunity for one group, and grumpy old hat for the other.

Ann Cain, she's been around; she's seen them all.

 

Happens every year, all the 1st time Lpga Qschool qualifiers always come by my table first, returning lpga players not so quickly to my table [https://twitter.com/ANNCAIN_/status/1186307912114814976](https://twitter.com/ANNCAIN_/status/1186307912114814976 "https://twitter.com/ANNCAIN_/status/1186307912114814976")

[18majors]

Pairings are out:

 

[scoring.lpga.com/public/QSLeaderboard.aspx](http://scoring.lpga.com/public/QSLeaderboard.aspx "scoring.lpga.com/public/QSLeaderboard.aspx")

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> Pairings are out:

>

> [scoring.lpga.com/public/QSLeaderboard.aspx](http://scoring.lpga.com/public/QSLeaderboard.aspx "scoring.lpga.com/public/QSLeaderboard.aspx")

 

interesting that Clariss Guce is now representing the US of A ... Didn't know she renounced Philippine citizenship (or maybe a dual citizen). And Haley Moore and Lakerber Abe on the same flight (NCAA Part 2?) along with you guys' favorite Muni He... Go B!!!

https://www.lpga.com/news/2019-q-series-week-one-begins-at-pinehurst

 

[18majors]

Some love for Andrea Lee:

 


PATIENCE HAS PAID OFF FOR ANDREA LEE

[https://lpga.com/news/2019-patience-has-paid-off-for-andrea-lee?m=1](https://www.lpga.com/news/2019-patience-has-paid-off-for-andrea-lee?m=1 "https://lpga.com/news/2019-patience-has-paid-off-for-andrea-lee?m=1")

[18majors]

More media attention:

 

NO MATTER LIFE'S OBSTACLES, MOORE CONTINUES TO DRIVE ON AND MORE FROM Q-SERIES

[https://lpga.com/news/2019-tuesday-notes-q-series-week-one](https://www.lpga.com/news/2019-tuesday-notes-q-series-week-one "https://lpga.com/news/2019-tuesday-notes-q-series-week-one")

[ChronicSlicer]

> @18majors said:

> More media attention:

>

> NO MATTER LIFE'S OBSTACLES, MOORE CONTINUES TO DRIVE ON AND MORE FROM Q-SERIES

> [https://lpga.com/news/2019-tuesday-notes-q-series-week-one](https://www.lpga.com/news/2019-tuesday-notes-q-series-week-one "https://lpga.com/news/2019-tuesday-notes-q-series-week-one")

 

Life is tough, glad to see Haley never gave up her dreams. Hopefully one day she can hoist a trophy on the LPGA.

[Newinup]

here's my own contribution to the thread -- from local Philippine media :)

[Argonne69]

And they're off. First groups have finished 1/10.

 

[Newinup]

Am I right to think that anyone outside of top 45 does not get anything from this tournament and will be no different than stage 2 participants who didn't make it to the final stage?

[18majors]

> @Newinup said:

> Am I right to think that anyone outside of top 45 does not get anything from this tournament and will be no different than stage 2 participants who didn't make it to the final stage?

 

Players finish outside of Top-20 at Q-Series get Symetra Tour Category C status (starting from priority #79) ; players who didn't advance from Stage II to Q-Series get Category I (starting priority #233).

Of course, players who finish between Top-20 and Top-45 at Q-Series also get LPGA cards.

[18majors]

She matched the best score from 2018 Q-Series:

 

.

@KimKaufmanGolf finds ? on No. 18 to cap a bogey-free opening round. She is setting the pace at 6-under par! #QSeries #Road2LPGA

[https://twitter.com/ROAD2LPGA/status/1187053731038334976](https://twitter.com/ROAD2LPGA/status/1187053731038334976 "https://twitter.com/ROAD2LPGA/status/1187053731038334976")

 

[18majors]

Jennifer Chang knew she wouldn’t be returning to USC even before she struck the first shot at LPGA Q-Series. The USC junior let her coach know before she left for Stage II of LPGA Q-School that she wouldn’t be back for the spring season.

Chang, one of five college players in the field at Q-Series, is No. 3 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings and No. 11 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

“I feel that I’m ready to go out there and be with the big girls,” said Chang, who secured Symetra Tour status after the second stage of Q-School. She’ll need to finish in the top 45 at Q-Series to receive Category 14 status on the 2020 LPGA Priority List.

 


[https://golfweek.com/2019/10/23/golf-at-least-one-college-standout-plans-to-go-pro-after-lpga-q-series/](https://golfweek.com/2019/10/23/golf-at-least-one-college-standout-plans-to-go-pro-after-lpga-q-series/ "https://golfweek.com/2019/10/23/golf-at-least-one-college-standout-plans-to-go-pro-after-lpga-q-series/")

[18majors]

The cutline was +10 last year; it's heading that way with a cutline projected around +8 this year.

It's a marathon, players are pacing themselves. Sixty players are within 2 shots of the cutline of +1 today.

 

[ChronicSlicer]

> @18majors said:

> “I feel that I’m ready to go out there and be with the big girls,” said Chang

>

 

 

Well, let's see how this plays out.

[18majors]

As expected, cutline has moved to +2 after the 2nd round.

Scores have started to spread out; players within 2 shots of culine is down from 60 to 35 in one day.

[18majors]

Yui Kawamoto, the highest ranked Rolex player in the field, has been steady. She shot -1 both days.

[18majors]

The leaderboard has been dominated by LPGA veterans; will they hold together?

There're reasons they didn't make LPGA Top-100; more will be exposed in the next 6 rounds.

[18majors]

The NCAA crew of :

 

Haley Moore

Andrea Lee

Jennifer Chang

Albane Valenzuela

Frida Kinhult

Sierra Brooks , and

Bianca Pagdanganon

 

are struggling more than last year's Kupcho, Stephenson and Gillman. However, things should calm down in the next few rounds.

[Argonne69]

> @18majors said:

> The NCAA crew of :

>

> Haley Moore

> Andrea Lee

> Jennifer Chang

> Albane Valenzuela

> Frida Kinhult

> Sierra Brooks , and

> Bianca Pagdanganon

>

> are struggling more than last year's Kupcho, Stephenson and Gillman. However, things should calm down in the next few rounds.

 

I'm assuming that fatigue is playing a factor. The players last year were allowed to go straight to Q-Series. This year's group had to play Stage II last week. They're probably trying to pace themselves.

 

[ChronicSlicer]

Really hoping Esther Henseleit can hang in there, after having a terrific rookie year on the LET I'm curious if she has the game for the LPGA.

[Titleist_PT23]

I never realized how dispersed the scores are at Q-Series (or at least how they were last year). Lee6 shot -18 or -2.25 per round, which she basically carried over to the year on tour. Clearly, she can play. In contrast, players like Alison Lee and Muni were 0.2 and 0.6 shots over par per round. Alison's scoring average was similar on tour in 2019, and she was close to keeping her card. Muni was nearly a shot over par in 2019 and got smoked.

 

Of course not everyone can be like Lee6 and Cheyenne Knight was the same +5 as Muni at Q-Series but averaged slightly under par for the year on tour and won a tournament (you could also say her season was saved by 1 week but it is what it is). But I guess I never realized how much of an uphill battle some of these players have (the tour median average score is basically par). In addition to adjusting to tour life and the potential pressure of playing for a living, many of them need to make fairly substantial improvements to have a good shot of staying out there (not talking challenging JYK, etc).

 

This is not to diminish their skills / what they've accomplished --- everyone needs to start somewhere but statistically it looks challenging for many.

[Titleist_PT23]

> @18majors said:

> The leaderboard has been dominated by LPGA veterans; will they hold together?

> There're reasons they didn't make LPGA Top-100; more will be exposed in the next 6 rounds.

A few of them may be playing the No. 6 course again. Playing well is obviously the most important factor but they may also have some experience advantage on this course (for the first 4 rounds). I'm not sure if these people will be leading at the end, but some of them that were fairly close to par on tour still probably have a good shot to make it through.

 

Noh is playing well since the last round of Stage II. What a swing - almost didn't make it to T6 1/4 of the way through.