Six Filipinos, including a Fil-Am, set out for the tough LPGA QualifyingTournament Final Stage beginning Wednesday at the LPGA International in Florida (Thursday in Manila) – a 90-hole tournament among 157 players slugging it out for 20 LPGA Tour cards next year.
Cyna Rodriguez, who failed to keep her card after a so-so rookie campaign this year, is back chasing another crack for a card along with Symetra Tour veterans Dottie Ardina and Mia Piccio, Fil-Am Clariss Guce, amateur Regina de Guzman and former US Girls’ Junior champion Princess Superal.
This marks the first time that the Phl is fielding a big six-player roster in the Final Stage but with only 20 Tour cards up for grabs, each must dish out a solid game from Day 1 to Day 5.
“They’re all ready and in high spirits but with a big field and a slew of talented players, they would need a strong start and hope to sustain it all the way to the finish,” said Bong Lopez, coach of former Team The Country Club mainstays Rodriguez, Ardina, Piccio and Superal, and who also handled two-time LPGA Tour winner Jennifer Rosales.
The field will alternate over the first four rounds between the Jones and Hills courses with the top 70 after 72 holes advancing to the final round, to be played at the tougher Hills layout.
The top 20, excluding ties, will earn the coveted LPGA Tour status in Category 12 on the 2017 priority list while those that finish 21 through 45, including ties, will earn status in Category 17. Players who complete 72 holes but fail to earn LPGA Tour status will receive Symetra Tour status in Category E on the Symetra Tour priority list.
The low medalist will also earn $5,000.