The LPGA recently introduced the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program, giving top female amateur golfers a pathway to join the LPGA tour starting in 2025. The program aims to provide elite amateurs with a way to bypass the typically arduous qualifying process and secure exempt Priority List status on the LPGA tour by accumulating at least 20 points within a specified criteria framework over a four-year period. The LPGA commissioner, Mollie Marcoux Samaan, emphasized that LEAP is reserved for the very best athletes and will ensure that the best players in the world continue to compete on the LPGA tour.
Qualified amateurs who turn professional through LEAP and earn their 20th point before July 1 of the current year have various options, including accepting LPGA membership for the current season, deferring membership, or gaining eligibility for the following season. Amateurs who reach the 20-point threshold after July 1 of the current year have different options available to them, such as accepting membership for the current and following seasons or deferring membership until the following season. Priority List placement is determined by the order in which players reach the 20-point threshold within the same year.
Players can accumulate points in various ways, including through their World Amateur Golf Ranking, participation in LPGA tournaments, success in amateur championships, receipt of awards, and participation on international teams such as the Curtis Cup or Arnold Palmer Cup teams. For example, points are awarded based on a player’s highest achieved career WAGR ranking, performance in LPGA tournaments, success in amateur championships like the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and receipt of awards like the McCormack Medal or Annika Award. The system is designed to incentivize excellence in all areas of the game, from amateur competition to college golf.
Currently, Florida State junior Lottie Woad leads all current amateurs with 16 points, positioning her as a potential frontrunner to secure LPGA membership through the LEAP program. The introduction of LEAP represents the LPGA’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in women’s golf, providing a streamlined pathway for elite amateurs to transition to the professional ranks without having to navigate traditional qualifying processes. As the program evolves and more players accumulate points, the landscape of women’s golf could see a shift towards a more direct route to the LPGA for the most talented and accomplished amateurs.
