The ninth edition of the 2022 Ascensus Race for the Card standings arrived following the conclusion of the third annual Carolina Golf Classic presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina hosted by Kinston Country Club in Kinston, N.C.
Last week’s tournament brought changes to the standings, as a new player takes over No. 1. Carolina Golf Classic presented by Blue Cross NC champion, Lucy Li, moves from No. 2 to No. 1 in the rankings. This move pushed former No. 1, Kum-Kang Park, to No. 2.
Li forced a playoff with Alexa Pano in Kinston, N.C. and drained a long eagle putt on the first playoff hole to secure the victory.
Ascensus strives to help their clients get to wherever they want to be, which Li says she couldn’t do without her support system.
“I couldn’t get there without the support of my family, my sponsors and the courses that are so kind to have supported me throughout the years,” said Li. “I just feel overwhelmingly grateful for everyone and everything they’ve done for me.”
Pano was another notable move in the standings, jumping from No. 16 to No. 3.
Every year, the top 10 in the Ascensus Race for the Card earn LPGA Tour membership for the following season. From 1999-2002, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA handed out three cards. Then from 2003-2007, the number increased to five before 10 were distributed starting in 2008. Since the inaugural year, 172 players have graduated to the big stage.
Below is a look at the top 10 following the ninth event of the 2022 Epson Tour season:
- Lucy Li; Redwood Shores, California | Weekly Change: Up 1 spot | 2022 Season Earnings: $70,396
- Kum-Kang Park; Seoul, Republic of Korea | Weekly Change: Down 1 spot | 2022 Season Earnings: $49,459
- Alexa Pano; Lake Worth, Florida | Weekly Change: Up 13 spots | 2022 Season Earnings: $44,119
- Andrea Lee; Hermosa Beach, California | Weekly Change: Down 1 spot | 2022 Season Earnings: $39,890
- Sophie Hausmann; Nottuln, Germany | Weekly Change: Down 1 spot | 2022 Season Earnings: $39,752
- Grace Kim; Sydney, Australia | Weekly Change: Up 3 spots | 2022 Season Earnings: $39,725
- Dottie Ardina; Laguna, Philippines | Weekly Change: Down 2 spots | 2022 Season Earnings: $39,565
- Gina Kim; Durham, North Carolina | Weekly Change: Down 2 spots | 2022 Season Earnings: $38,526
- Linnea Strom; Hovas, Sweden | Weekly Change: Down 2 spots | 2022 Season Earnings: $38,472
- Sarah Jane Smith; Sunshine Coast, Australia | Weekly Change: Down 2 spots | 2022 Season Earnings: $37,899