Katherine Perry has never been happier on the golf course. Through two LPGA events, it’s showing. She is 30th on the money list with a T21 finish and a T40. Two events, two cuts made and just over $21,000 earned. Keep those numbers in mind.
Perry contemplated ending her short professional career prior to Q-School. She finished 68th on the Epson Tour money list in 2016 and then surprised some by finishing T14 at Final Stage of Q-School to earn full status.
“It was either I make it through to the LPGA or I am done with golf,” admitted Perry during an interview conducted in January. “I didn’t feel a ton of pressure, I was OK with whatever happened, but I worked really hard leading up to it to make it through.”
In two full seasons on the Epson Tour, Perry had just eight top 25 finishes – in 39 starts. She never contended for a card.
In the offseason, Perry got married to her longtime boyfriend, who she met at a golf course and now he is caddie on the LPGA.
“It’s going to fun, we’re excited to explore the U.S. and the world together,” said Perry, who didn’t go on a traditional honeymoon after getting married. "It’s going to be a great adventure, regardless of what happens on the golf course. I think I’m going to be so much happier with him on the course with me and that will produce better results.”
Instead of happy wife equals happy life it seems happy golfer equals good scores is apropos here. Perry has been particularly strong on Sundays. She posted a 5-under, 68 on Sunday in the Bahamas and a 4-under, 69 in Australia.
She won’t play in the next two limited field events in Asia, but will be back for the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, March 16-19 in Phoenix.
At this point, Perry will have a good chance to get into the first major of the year, the ANA Inspiration (March 30-April 2). The top 20 players on the current LPGA money list that don’t qualify for the event based on other criteria – including top 80 on the previous years money list – get into the ANA.
Pretty remarkable for someone that had two modest seasons on the Epson Tour and considered a 9-5 “normal” job.
)
)
)
)
