The 2024 LPGA Qualifying tournament saw NCAA champion Adela Cernousek co-medal with England’s Mimi Rhodes but decided to stay amateur and return to school. Cernousek, a Texas A&M senior, will play for the Aggies in an upcoming tournament following her success at the Qualifying event which took place at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida. Cernousek’s decision to remain an amateur means she will not be competing in the Final Qualifying stage in December as players are required to turn professional to participate.
A total of 43 players earned the opportunity to advance to the Final Stage of Qualifying, with four amateurs making the cut. These included top-ranking amateurs who decided to turn professional in order to compete in the next stage. Among the top performers were UCLA seniors Zoe Campos and Caroline Canales, who finished in the top 12. The competition also saw the emergence of impressive talent such as Mississippi State senior Julia Lopez Rameriz and Western Kentucky senior Catie Craig.
England’s Mimi Rhodes, a recent Wake Forest graduate, has been on a winning streak following her success at the Curtis Cup and her first professional title on the LET Access Series. Rhodes’s stellar performance at the Qualifying tournament has propelled her to new heights in her golfing career. Other notable players who excelled at the event include UCLA senior Zoe Campos, who will be turning professional after competing one last time for the Bruins at the East Lake Cup.
The decision to turn professional is a significant step for many aspiring golfers, including Campos who sees it as a dream come true. Campos plans to pursue a career on the tour and is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Her teammate, Canales, is still weighing her options and considering graduating from UCLA before making a decision about her future in professional golf. The Qualifying tournament provided players with Epson Tour status and categorized them based on their performance for future opportunities.
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson and other notable players like Rachel Kuehn and LPGA winner Christina Kim were among those who did not advance to the Final Qualifying stage. Despite this setback, the experience gained from participating in the Qualifying event will be valuable for their future in golf. The competition showcased the talent and determination of amateur players who are on the brink of turning professional and making their mark in the world of golf.
