The LPGA is gearing up to introduce a new program similar to the PGA Tour University, giving college and amateur golfers a chance to turn pro.
Reports suggest that this initiative will have two pathways for players, with an announcement expected before the CME Group Tour Championship wraps up the LPGA season. One pathway might resemble the PGA Tour Accelerated program, where young players can earn points towards membership through their performance.
This new LPGA scheme will stand out because it welcomes all amateurs, not just college students. Players can start collecting points even before starting college , over a three-year rolling period. Fans might think this is a fairer system for budding talents.
New Pathways: A Fresh Start
The second part of the program could be like PGA Tour University, focusing on those in their last two years of college. It ranks them based on how well they play in certain tournaments. While top-ranked men get direct entry into tours like Korn Ferry or PGA Tour Americas, it’s unclear how many women will receive similar opportunities.
Currently, the top male player after NCAA Division I Championships gets a PGA Tour card—Michael Thorbjornsen did so in 2024. But for women, reports say they might only get an Epson Tour card instead of directly joining the LPGA.
This move seems to respond to criticisms about the existing system that pushes college players into tough choices during Q-school stages. Some athletes have had to leave school early; Adela Cernousek and Zoe Campos faced such decisions recently when advancing in Q-Series.
Cernousek decided to finish her senior year at Texas A&M despite reaching Q-Series’ final stage. Meanwhile, Campos chose to go pro for a shot at an LPGA card but secured her spot on Epson Tour by 2025.
What do you think about these changes?
