Four advances in LPGA qualification

Hira Naveed finished second in the first phase of the LPGA Q school to book her ticket to Florida (Image: West Coast Conference)

Four Australian women went to the second phase of LPGA Q-School in California yesterday.

Hira Naveed, from Perth, amateur Becky Kay from Queensland and the duo Soo Jin Lee and Celina Yuan from New South Wales, will contest the second phase of Q-School in mid-October.

But there was no luck for amateur Steph Bunque, Nadine White and Elizabeth Elmassian, with their LPGA dreams put on hold for another year.

Naveed, who joined the professional ranks in July after graduating from Pepperdine University, finished only three shots behind the final winner Bianca Pagdanganan on 10 under.

"I was just trying to give myself a chance to get to phase II and didn't want to go overboard," Naveed said after a three-under-par final lap marked by five birdies.

"I had a good preparation a few weeks ago, played well and won."

“I came in with a lot of confidence and wanted to put a good number on the plate every day. I managed to do that and am really happy. "

Kay, 20, is also one step closer to her dreams of becoming professional and playing on the first American tour after her dual finish earned her a T45 finish and a ticket to the next stage in Florida.

Lee and Yuan complete the Aussie claim, progressing with a combined three above par result for T57.

The remaining 92 players ending in 5-over par or better will also advance to phase two from October 14-17 at Plantation Golf and Country Club.

From there, the top 60 plus draw will then contest the LPGA Q series (final phase) in two weeks from October 23 – November 2 in Pinehurst.

Participants who finish in position # 1-45, including those in 45th place, at the end of the Q Series will receive a category 14 LPGA membership on the LPGA priority list.

Participants who finish outside the top 20 also receive a Symetra Tour membership in category C on the Symetra Tour priority list.

Australian results:
2 Hira Naveed 70-70-69-69 (-10)
T45 Becky Kay (a) 75-71-72-72 (+2)
T57 Soo Jin Lee 77-74-66-74 (+3)
T57 Celina Yuan 69-75-69-78 (+3)
T97 Steph Bunque (a) 74-73-70-77 (+5)
T107 Nadine White 77-73-71-74 (+7)
WD Elizabeth Elmassian
Full results.