DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., August 25, 2014 – The Epson Tour, the Road to the LPGA, is excited to announce that current Volvik Race for the Card money list leader, Marissa Steen, has earned a promotion to the LPGA Tour and will play in the Portland Classic presented by Cambia Health Solutions, August 28-31 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.
Steen picked up her third Epson Tour win at the Eagle Classic presented by Bag Boy and thus earned Category 13 LPGA Tour status for winning three times in a single-season on the Epson Tour. She is the first Epson Tour player to win three times in a single season since 2010 and just the ninth since 1999.
“I keep calling this year the dream season because that’s exactly what it has been,” said Steen.
“With ten top-10 finishes and three wins so far, I have been playing consistent golf the entire year and that’s what all the ladies out here strive for.”
The West Chester, Ohio native has dominated the Epson Tour this year with ten top-10 finishes, the most since RICOH Women’s British Open champion Mo Martin collected 11 top-10 finishes in 2011.
In addition to her recent victory at the Eagle Classic, she also won the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay and the Friends of Mission Charity Classic. She has pocketed $75,348 this year, the most on Tour since 2010.
“This is what the Epson Tour is all about, preparing the next generation of great LPGA Tour stars,” said Chief Business Officer of the Epson Tour, Mike Nichols. “We are very proud of Marissa and know that she will represent herself well in Portland and all next year on the LPGA Tour.”
The 24-year-old will head to Portland playing arguably her best golf of the year. She has finished inside the top-10 in four of the last five Epson Tour events.
“I am very excited to get the promotion to the LPGA,” Steen said. “Only nine other players have won three or more times in a season so it feels great to be part of such an elite group. The opportunity to play in Portland is huge. It feels so good because I earned the spot through hard work and performing well on the Epson Tour.”
Steen has played twice on the LPGA Tour this year. She qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open and earned a spot in the field for the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I by Monday qualifying. Steen shot an opening-round 5-under 67 in Toledo and finished in a tie for 32nd.
“Anytime I get a chance to compete in the same field as the top golfers in the world is an opportunity I really look forward to,” Steen said.
When she receives her full-time LPGA Tour card at the completion of the Epson Tour Championship presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which takes place September 18-21, Steen will become the first University of Memphis graduate to play on the LPGA Tour.
Steen turned professional in 2012 and has played on the Epson Tour for three years. Last year, she recorded three top-10 finishes and finished 16th on the money list.
“The Epson Tour has prepared me very well for the LPGA Tour next season,” Steen said. “Having the opportunity to play competitive golf 20 weeks this year has really helped hone my skills and helped me achieve the consistency that is needed to succeed at the next level. In order to finish in the top-10 on the Epson Tour, you really need to play well from start to finish from February through September. The Epson Tour has really become a fantastic developmental tour.”
Steen will join a growing list of Epson Tour graduates to play on the LPGA Tour. The impressive list of graduates includes current Rolex Rankings No. 2 Inbee Park, No. 14 Lizette Salas and former No. 1 Lorena Ochoa.
“I have put in many hours and have worked very hard with my coach, Tim Lambert,” said Steen.
“Seeing all of the hard work pay off through having long term goals turn into reality is such an amazing feeling. I can’t wait to be on the LPGA Tour full time next season.”
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