During the final round of LPGA Q-Series, Becca Huffer found herself in a similar situation to how she ended her 2023 season on the Epson Tour, right on the outside looking in. Huffer was right on the cut line for most of the final round, but a late bogey on her 16th hole of the day seemed like it would be the difference from the University of Notre Dame alumna playing on the LPGA Tour heading into 2024.
“Well, coming into today, I knew I had to like have a good round because it just honestly wasn't a very good week for me for playing. Kind of just stuck in there and tried to stop the bleeding some days, but I knew I had to put a good number together,” explained Huffer. “Unfortunately started with double, so that was a little bit rough. Got an eagle on the first or like No. 13. Hit a 3-wood to three feet, and I think that helped put a little momentum in my court. After that, just got some more birdies to go, and, you know, obviously I finished I thought I was out of it.”
When Huffer walked of the green after her final round, she sat one shot outside the cutline to earn her LPGA Tour Membership for the upcoming season. Huffer thought she was heading back to the Epson Tour in 2024 and she was already heading home until she got a text message letting her know she was inside the cutline and would be earning membership.
“I guess my brother was in the car, like oh, wait, they changed something. I was like, really? Like are you sure? Are you sure?,” said Huffer. “Obviously I texted and was like, okay, is it for sure, just because, I mean, you just -- you're thinking the worst and never thinking that's going to work out.”
Huffer finished No. 11 in the 2023 Epson Tour Race for the Card, just one place away from earning full status for the 2024 season. The top 45 finish secures some starts for the 33-year-old but will not be eligible for every event unless she continues her good play. No matter what her status, Huffer is happy to return to return and take advantage of her LPGA Tour starts when the 2024 season begins.
“I'm just excited. It's not the best status or anything, but to have a shot at getting out to play again, so just really excited because I have had a really good year and unfortunately earlier this year I just wound up a tiny bit short on Epson.” Said Huffer.
To read more about Becca Huffer’s 2023 season on the Epson Tour click here