TAVATANAKIT DRIVES ON WITH ALL IN APPROACH

One of the five players from the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings invited to the inaugural LPGA Q-Series last fall, Patty Tavatanakit (Bangkok, Thailand) was also the only one from the group to not earn LPGA Tour status for 2019. Looking back, it might have been for the better.

“Going into the two weeks, I didn’t want to turn pro and remember hesitating even going there,” said Tavatanakit, who finished tied for 84th. “Every time I step onto the course, I try to beat everyone. That particular time, I was playing without purpose or passion. Seeing the results, I was happy because I could stay in school and didn’t have to decide. It was something I wanted because I needed more experience.”

Once back at UCLA, Tavatanakit struggled. The stress of classes became overbearing in what turned out to be her final semester and results on the course were not up to her standard. However, a tied for 26th result at the ANA Inspiration in April served as her turning point.

The performance rekindled the passion she was searching for and provided a definitive reason as to why she was ready to make the leap. Tavatanakit began the process by talking with UCLA women’s golf head coach Carrie Forsyth. From there, several phone calls with her parents enforced the path she needed to take if her decision was to turn pro.

“I would ask, and my dad said I need to go all in to get where I want to be,” Tavatanakit said. “When I practice and start to get my game back, I love the sport even more. The ups and downs, the grind, the feeling of climbing back up again is really great. I knew it was something I wanted to do as a career and that I would end up being a pro golfer, so why not start now. I have the capability to be out here and make a living, which drives me too.”

A two-time Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) First Team All-American for the Bruins, Tavatanakit made her professional debut at the U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA with a tied for 34th showing. She has played two Epson Tour events since, including a tied for 14th finish at the Island Resort Championship and runner-up in the Prasco Charity Championship.

To keep the successful start to her professional journey going, Tavatanakit ended tied for 15th last week in the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic as a tournament sponsor exemption. The performance of 20-under par overall included a bogey-free, 11-under par 61 in the final round to set the 18-hole tournament scoring record.

“Last week changed a lot, knowing I can compete out there and especially making the cut of 5-under,” said Tavatanakit. “I feel like I’m playing good golf right now because I’m not trying to play good golf. It’s a process of enjoying the sport and committing to this. I’m happy doing what I’m doing, which helps me have no regrets. I’m glad I didn’t get my LPGA Tour card because I’m learning to be a pro out here and I think that’s the right choice. The past couple events I’ve learned a lot and am glad to not have to learn all that right away on the big tour.”

DONALD ROSS CLASSIC WELCOMES WAPT SERIES IV RACE EXEMPTIONS

This season marks the first in a partnership between the Epson Tour and newly formed Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) where the top-two competitors in five tournament series earn exemption into select Epson Tour events.

Binny Lee (Frisco, Texas) finished the Series IV Race to the Donald Ross Classic at No. 1 thanks to a tied for fifth result in the Wichita Falls Championship and her first professional victory on June 22 at the Supreme Lending Classic. Meanwhile, Alazne Urizar Zapata (San Tome, Venezuela) ended at No. 2, but did not make the trek to Orange County for the 14th Epson Tour stop.

“Surprisingly, I wasn’t overjoyed, but content with the win because I have such high expectations for myself,” said Lee, who has made five starts on the WAPT this season. “I’m excited to see what the future holds and am just trying to get things rolling. That week, I was doing better mentally and it showed that I can get over any challenges. I’m really excited for this exemption.”

As she prepares for her first start on the Epson Tour, Lee applauded the WAPT for helping prepare her for this moment and looked ahead to what this week’s host venue offers.

“It opens so many doors for us and provides such great opportunities,” Lee said. “I played the First Stage of Q-School last year and missed the cut by one. Honestly, it made me think I wouldn’t be able to play any Epson Tour events at all. The Donald Ross Course is breathtaking and a real test, both physically and mentally. It’s in great shape and going to be a challenge.”

LEAVE OF ABSENCE ALLOWS WANG TO PURSUE GOLF DREAMS

It’s not every day you see an individual with full Epson Tour status compete as an amateur, but that is exactly what Elizabeth Wang (San Marino, California) is doing in French Lick, Ind. at the third annual Donald Ross Classic.

Wang just completed her freshman year at Harvard University, where she captured individual medalist honors at the 2019 Ivy League Women’s Golf Championship in April. Furthermore, Wang competed in the LPGA Qualifying Tournament last year. She advanced through Stage I and finished tied for 42nd at Stage II.

“I really just wanted to play Q-School and see what it was like,” said Wang, an All-Ivy League First Team selection. “Here I am with my amateur status, playing, finding tournaments for the summer and trying to challenge myself.”

A tournament sponsor exemption for the 2016 ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, Wang also qualified for the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Shoal Creek. Those experiences provided a taste of professional golf, something she would like to chase with greater fervor. Granted a leave of absence by a passing vote from the Administrative Board of Harvard College, Wang is able to do just that and pursue her dreams.

“They were super exciting events, being able to meet people who were my idols and play alongside them,” Wang said. “I pestered some of them, but they were really nice and patient with my endless questions. Now, I’m really lucky to have the support of Harvard and its faculty. I’ll try to focus more on golf, then go back and finish my studies later. I haven’t officially declared a concentration because you declare after the first semester of sophomore year, but I am really interested in government.”

Donald Ross Classic Pre-Tournament News and Notes

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