2019 LPGA Q-School

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> Round 1 notable players:

>

> Jennifer Chang, -5

> Dylan Kim, -4

> Haley Moore, -3

> Jiwon Jeon,-3

> Bianca Pagdanganon, -2

> Elizabeth Wang, -2

> Sierra Brooks, -2

> Rebecca Lee-Bentham, -1

> Kelly Whaley, +1

>

> T95, +1

 

T-20, I'll take it. Daniella Uy (from Bama State/Philippines) also T-20... (apparently there were also wrong yardages in the book, according to the players - told them it could be part of the "test/qualifying test" :P)... this is a marathon, not a sprint so it'll be a harrowing few months for me

 

[18majors]

[https://symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes](https://www.symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes "https://symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes")

With 18 holes in the books at Stage I of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament, it is 16-year-old amateur Min A Yoon (Seoul, Republic of Korea) pacing the 359-player field after carding a bogey-free, 7-under par 65 at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club.

 

 

[Titleist_PT23]

> @18majors said:

> [https://symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes](https://www.symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes "https://symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes")

> With 18 holes in the books at Stage I of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament, it is 16-year-old amateur Min A Yoon (Seoul, Republic of Korea) pacing the 359-player field after carding a bogey-free, 7-under par 65 at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club.

Do you know if this person is a Korean citizen living abroad or still based in Seoul? Mainly asking to try and understand why she would want to play Symetra vs. KLPGA.

[18majors]

> @agolf1 said:

> > @18majors said:

> > [https://symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes](https://www.symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes "https://symetratour.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-round-one-notes")

> > With 18 holes in the books at Stage I of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament, it is 16-year-old amateur Min A Yoon (Seoul, Republic of Korea) pacing the 359-player field after carding a bogey-free, 7-under par 65 at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club.

> Do you know if this person is a Korean citizen living abroad or still based in Seoul? Mainly asking to try and understand why she would want to play Symetra vs. KLPGA.

 

I'm not sure; but my guess is Yoon is based in Korea but has been playing internationally, especially Australia, for more than a year.

Symetra Tour is a much shorter cut to LPGA for players like Yoon, as well as Lydia Ko, who's accustomed to Western culture. Most Korean pros, like In Gee Chun, hasn't lived outside of Korea all their life until they leave for LPGA.

[North Texas]

One of the girls that plays out of the course I'm a member at had a good first round with a 2 under par 70.

[North Texas]

A few of the girls who played in the WAPT event at our club back in May are playing including Ana Ruiz who shot 66 in the first round and Riley Rennell who shot 67. Ana stayed with some friends of ours while playing and the wife and I got to meet her and had dinner with her a couple of nights while they were here. She is an extremely nice young lady who can really play. Always fun to keep up with and pull for someone you've met.

[Newinup]

Woohoo! Bianca P guns the last hole for an eagle in the DS course! :) Now the real challenge begins in Stage 2 as some of you had told me... (I know I know there's still quite a few rounds left)...

[18majors]

Round 2 updates:

 

Bianca Pagdanganon, -7

Haley Moore, -6

Jiwon Jeon, -5

Dylan Kim, -3

Jennifer Chang, -2

Sierra Brooks, -1

Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Even

Elizabeth Wang, +2

Kelly Whaley, +2

 

T95, +2

It's worth noting the T95 score after 2 rounds last year is the same +2.

 

[18majors]

Bianca Pagdanganon

 

[https://lpga.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-second-round-notes](https://www.lpga.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-second-round-notes "https://lpga.com/news/2019-lpga-qualifying-tournament-stage-i-second-round-notes")

“It’s obviously pretty intense and kind of nerve-racking because you’re up against good golfers, not just anyone playing out here,” said Pagdanganan, who recorded her strong second round on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course. "I’m excited for the next stage of my life and this is what I’ve been working toward since I was little. I don’t put much pressure on myself, rather stay relaxed and not think about the score. Just want to enjoy the whole process.”

 

 

[18majors]

Third round results:

 

T1: Bianca Pagdanganon, -9

Rebecca Lee-Bentham, -5

Dylan Kim, -3

Jiwon Jeon, -3

Haley Moore, -2

Jennifer Chang, +1

Sierra Brooks, +1

Kelly Whaley, +3

Elizabeth Wang, +5

 

T95, +3

 

 

[North Texas]

Someone refresh my memory. How many move on to the 2nd stage?

[18majors]

> @"North Texas" said:

> Someone refresh my memory. How many move on to the 2nd stage?

 

No. 95 and ties, usually around 100 players.

[Newinup]

T-1 for Bianca Padganganan after 3 rounds, safe to assume the road to LPGA is very much alive!!! #goB

[Golf Dino]

> @Newinup said:

> T-1 for Bianca Padganganan after 3 rounds, safe to assume the road to LPGA is very much alive!!! #goB

 

Two more stages to go ... so we dont want to count our "chickens before they hatch"!! I've seen some players have a good stage 1 and 2 only to wilt at stage 3.

[18majors]

The final round, Bianca Pagdanganon is with the last group and will tee off at 2:10 PM California time.

[North Texas]

Sitting at T46, even par, is Alexis Belton. She is currently ranked #4 in the World Long Drive and in the last event beat Philiss Meti who had won every event so far this year.

[Newinup]

> @"Golf Dino" said:

> > @Newinup said:

> > T-1 for Bianca Padganganan after 3 rounds, safe to assume the road to LPGA is very much alive!!! #goB

>

> Two more stages to go ... so we dont want to count our "chickens before they hatch"!! I've seen some players have a good stage 1 and 2 only to wilt at stage 3.

 

Cautiously optimistic... Fingers crossed, prayers up!

https://www.symetratour.com/news/2019-three-tied-for-lead-in-round-three-at-stage-i-q-school?fbclid=IwAR3K6tFJR1D-6R_BKaGs44skavf7P_CM4hepB2F7GauvXFZYWavV_GWAuOM

[18majors]

> @Newinup said:

> > @"Golf Dino" said:

> > > @Newinup said:

> > > T-1 for Bianca Padganganan after 3 rounds, safe to assume the road to LPGA is very much alive!!! #goB

> >

> > Two more stages to go ... so we dont want to count our "chickens before they hatch"!! I've seen some players have a good stage 1 and 2 only to wilt at stage 3.

>

> Cautiously optimistic... Fingers crossed, prayers up!

> https://www.symetratour.com/news/2019-three-tied-for-lead-in-round-three-at-stage-i-q-school?fbclid=IwAR3K6tFJR1D-6R_BKaGs44skavf7P_CM4hepB2F7GauvXFZYWavV_GWAuOM

 

I haven't followed Bianca as closely as you do; but I'm really impressed.

She won Prep 1 by 5 shots and she's tied for the lead going into the final round.

She may or may not win stage 1; but she's resilient, and that's the most important in the long run.

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> > @Newinup said:

> > > @"Golf Dino" said:

> > > > @Newinup said:

> > > > T-1 for Bianca Padganganan after 3 rounds, safe to assume the road to LPGA is very much alive!!! #goB

> > >

> > > Two more stages to go ... so we dont want to count our "chickens before they hatch"!! I've seen some players have a good stage 1 and 2 only to wilt at stage 3.

> >

> > Cautiously optimistic... Fingers crossed, prayers up!

> > https://www.symetratour.com/news/2019-three-tied-for-lead-in-round-three-at-stage-i-q-school?fbclid=IwAR3K6tFJR1D-6R_BKaGs44skavf7P_CM4hepB2F7GauvXFZYWavV_GWAuOM

>

> I haven't followed Bianca as closely as you do; but I'm really impressed.

> She won Prep 1 by 5 shots and she's tied for the lead going into the final round.

> She may or may not win stage 1; but she's resilient, and that's the most important in the long run.

Never say die, that's her attitude. She's been like that ever since her teenage years. Always been overlooked (back in the Philippines, and to some extent in the amateurs). Finally, she's getting some recognition, no doubt helped by her exposure to Arizona (and to some extent playing for Zags in her freshman/sophomore years) and her winning Philippine Women's Amateur when no one saw anything like that coming. I dont count her out at all until the last round/last hole is played. #goBianca

 

[Newinup]

Stage 1 finally over. Birdie barrage for Bianca on round 4 :). Right now, doesnt mean much to be #1 but it'll be a great experience if ever she makes it to full time LPGA.... Now the real work begins for her... Looking forward to October (even if it'll be close to freezing here in the Great White North by then). Hope they have some more coverage though it's prolly wishful thinking...

[18majors]

Final results

Congratulations to Bianca Pagdanganon for winning Stage I by 3 shots

 

Bianca Pagdanganon, -13

Rebecca Lee-Bentham, -6

Haley Moore, -4

Dylan Kim, -3

 

Jennifer Chang, -1

Jiwon Jeon, -1

Kelly Whaley, +2

Sierra Brooks, +4

 

T95 and ties at +5 advance to StageII; 96 players in all

The 14 players with scores of -3 or better will have good shots at advancing to Q-Series

 

Failed to advance to Stage II

 

Elizabeth Wang, +10

[18majors]

> @Newinup said:

> Stage 1 finally over. Birdie barrage for Bianca on round 4 :). Right now, doesnt mean much to be #1 but it'll be a great experience if ever she makes it to full time LPGA.... Now the real work begins for her... Looking forward to October (even if it'll be close to freezing here in the Great White North by then). Hope they have some more coverage though it's prolly wishful thinking...

 

Stage II will receive minimum media coverage like Stage I.

Q-Series will have maximum media coverage, but no TV.

[18majors]

@Newinup

 

Bianca has won her last two tournaments; she's the Jin Young Ko of Road to LPGA crew.

Has she won three consecutive tournaments before?

I know Bianca is long off the tee and a great putter; does she have any weaknesses?

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> @Newinup

>

> Bianca has won her last two tournaments; she's the Jin Young Ko of Road to LPGA crew.

> Has she won three consecutive tournaments before?

> I know Bianca is long off the tee and a great putter; does she have any weaknesses?

AFAIK she's never won 3 straight consecutive tournaments ... I wouldnt say she's the JYK of the Road to LPGA right now, will wait for stage

2 and final stage before I can say that (fingers crossed, dont wanna jinx :) ... she is a diamond in the rough for sure -- and if ever she makes it to full time LPGA (prayers up), I'm willing to bet on her against Fassi and Kupcho anytime (yes, I'm super biased of course, but I also know I'm not throwing away money betting on her - eg my odds are not that horrible betting on her :)

She still needs to improve her sand play (sometimes we tease her that the sand in the states is different from the sand in Asia/Philippines lol). She's improving/improved her putting, she used to "jab" at her putts, a result of slower greens and "less than pristine" greens in Asia... Her stint in the US college circuit/Coach in Zona Laura Ianello made her better on putting (she caddied for her in LPGA Marathon Classic in 2018 and made the cut, finishing at -3 after 4 rounds :)...

Personally, if you ask me, just a feel of the game and knowing when to throttle forward and gun it vs not (eg playing smarter) are her points of improvement, and of course, sand play... You got the driving part right -- that is definitely her strength. So is her mental fortitude (strength) - she will never quit until the last hole is played, I guarantee that, knowing her background and how she has been underestimated her entire life, she has a chip on her shoulder (wasnt considered for Augusta Women's Amateur, etc etc)... A bit long winded way of answering your question - pardon me, had a long day today haha

 

[18majors]

[https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1](https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1 "https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1")

Jennifer Rosales remains the yardstick for Filipinas aiming to make it big in LPGA. The former five-time Phl Ladies Open champion gained exempt status for the LPGA Tour in 2000 by finishing tied for seventh in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament and went on to bag two titles.

 

There're hopes for the Philippines; with Bianca Pagdanganon, Yuka Saso, Dottie Ardina and Clariss Guce scheduled to play Stage II and/or Q-Series in the next two months.

 

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> [https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1](https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1 "https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1")

> Jennifer Rosales remains the yardstick for Filipinas aiming to make it big in LPGA. The former five-time Phl Ladies Open champion gained exempt status for the LPGA Tour in 2000 by finishing tied for seventh in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament and went on to bag two titles.

>

> There're hopes for the Philippines; with Bianca Pagdanganon, Yuka Saso, Dottie Ardina and Clariss Guce scheduled to play Stage II and/or Q-Series in the next two months.

>

Yes Jennifer Rosales right now is still the benchmark.... Dorothy Delasin (though she was born and grew up in the US) a far second for now... But amongst the new crop, Bianca, Yuka and hopefully LK GO (Lois Kaye - who's at Univ of Southern Carolina right now) are the strongest "up and comers". Dottie and Clariss - I feel bad that they can't even consistently cash in LPGA (though Dottie had a great year at Symetra last year)...

[18majors]

Yuka Saso is leaving no stone unturned in her pursuit of a professional career.

She's already entered Stage II of LPGA Q-School.

 

In addition, she's also entered into JLPGA pro-test, which is a pre-requisite before entering JLPGA Q-School.

[https://sports.inquirer.net/363449/breaking-saso-takes-crack-at-lpga](https://sports.inquirer.net/363449/breaking-saso-takes-crack-at-lpga "https://sports.inquirer.net/363449/breaking-saso-takes-crack-at-lpga")

"Currently one of the highest-ranked Asians in the world women’s amateur rankings at 20th, Saso is flying to Japan on Thursday to compete in the Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association (LPGA) of Japan qualifying tournament."

By the way, Yuka's father is Japanese and her mother is Filipino; she chose to represent the Philippines in international competition.

 

 

 

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> Yuka Saso is leaving no stone unturned in her pursuit of a professional career.

> She's already entered Stage II of LPGA Q-School.

>

> In addition, she's also entered into JLPGA pro-test, which is a pre-requisite before entering JLPGA Q-School.

> [https://sports.inquirer.net/363449/breaking-saso-takes-crack-at-lpga](https://sports.inquirer.net/363449/breaking-saso-takes-crack-at-lpga "https://sports.inquirer.net/363449/breaking-saso-takes-crack-at-lpga")

> "Currently one of the highest-ranked Asians in the world women’s amateur rankings at 20th, Saso is flying to Japan on Thursday to compete in the Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association (LPGA) of Japan qualifying tournament."

> By the way, Yuka's father is Japanese and her mother is Filipino; she chose to represent the Philippines in international competition.

>

>

>

I was just about to point out, that Inquirer Golf is your best bet to get Philippine golf news (that's publicly accessible). Of course, first hand info is the most accurate but Inquirer Golf is pretty good on the local Philippine golfers. It'll be NOT funny to me if Yuka decides to go to JLPGA and Shibuno remains in JLPGA in 2020! :P (FWIW, I also know that if Bianca doesnt make LPGA for whatever reason, JLPGA is also a possibility). LJ GO (From Seton Hall, the brother of Lois Kaye I had mentioned earlier in the thread) who's arguably one of the better male Philippine golfers, decided to go China/Asian Tour as an example. Of course PGA / Web.com aint easy at all but what I'm trying to say is that for Asian golfers, the Asian tour(s) seem to offer a viable alternative for them (with the ultimate goal for PGA due to $)...

[iotone]

> @Newinup said:

> > @18majors said:

> > [https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1](https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1 "https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1")

> > Jennifer Rosales remains the yardstick for Filipinas aiming to make it big in LPGA. The former five-time Phl Ladies Open champion gained exempt status for the LPGA Tour in 2000 by finishing tied for seventh in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament and went on to bag two titles.

> >

> > There're hopes for the Philippines; with Bianca Pagdanganon, Yuka Saso, Dottie Ardina and Clariss Guce scheduled to play Stage II and/or Q-Series in the next two months.

> >

> Yes Jennifer Rosales right now is still the benchmark.... Dorothy Delasin (though she was born and grew up in the US) a far second for now... But amongst the new crop, Bianca, Yuka and hopefully LK GO (Lois Kaye - who's at Univ of Southern Carolina right now) are the strongest "up and comers". Dottie and Clariss - I feel bad that they can't even consistently cash in LPGA (though Dottie had a great year at Symetra last year)...

 

It's great to see some Filipinas making headway in golf, hopefully soon we'll start to see some on the men's side making it to the big tour.

[18majors]

> @iotone said:

> > @Newinup said:

> > > @18majors said:

> > > [https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1](https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1 "https://philstar.com/sports/2019/08/26/1946574/pagdanganan-tops-lpga-q-school-stage-1")

> > > Jennifer Rosales remains the yardstick for Filipinas aiming to make it big in LPGA. The former five-time Phl Ladies Open champion gained exempt status for the LPGA Tour in 2000 by finishing tied for seventh in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament and went on to bag two titles.

> > >

> > > There're hopes for the Philippines; with Bianca Pagdanganon, Yuka Saso, Dottie Ardina and Clariss Guce scheduled to play Stage II and/or Q-Series in the next two months.

> > >

> > Yes Jennifer Rosales right now is still the benchmark.... Dorothy Delasin (though she was born and grew up in the US) a far second for now... But amongst the new crop, Bianca, Yuka and hopefully LK GO (Lois Kaye - who's at Univ of Southern Carolina right now) are the strongest "up and comers". Dottie and Clariss - I feel bad that they can't even consistently cash in LPGA (though Dottie had a great year at Symetra last year)...

>

> It's great to see some Filipinas making headway in golf, hopefully soon we'll start to see some on the men's side making it to the big tour.

 

Korean women started with Se Ri Pak in 1998; Korean men are finally making waves 20 years later.

Who'll be the Se Ri Pak of the Philippines? Bianca Pagdanganon or Yuka Saso?