A single swing changed the course of Amari Avery’s weekend at the Dream First Bank Charity Classic, injecting momentum into both her tournament and her quest for an LPGA Tour card.

After opening with a 2-over 74, Avery delivered a second-round 4-under 68, anchored by an ace on the par-3 eighth hole.

Playing around 130 yards in gusty conditions, Avery opted to club up and choke down after a shorter club spun off the green the previous day.

"I was like, let me just give myself the best opportunity here," Avery said. "So, I clubbed up and choked down a little bit and just made a committed swing. It actually used like the back slope and came back down into the hole. We didn't see it. So, we got up there and we're like, 'Where's Amari's ball?'"

Playing partners Alice Hodge and Caroline Canales helped confirm the result.

"Well, I found it, but Alice and Caroline were like, 'I think it went in,' because we knew where their balls were, so it had to be in the hole," Avery said.

The ace served as an immediate bounce-back after a bogey on No. 7. Avery carried the momentum through the turn, adding birdies on the ninth and 11th holes.

"I had just bogeyed seven, so it was just a little bit of a setback. But other than that, I felt I was playing really well, making a lot of putts," Avery said. "So, to see that one go in, I think it just kind of repicked up the momentum again and I was able to birdie nine and birdied 11. It was super windy, so it was hard to kind of keep that going, but still a solid round."

Avery entered the week seventh in the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card. The top 15 players at the end of the season earn LPGA Tour membership, with top-10 finishers securing higher priority Category 9 status.

Having captured her first Epson Tour victory in April at the IOA Championship, Avery views her progression as the natural result of her time on tour.

"I've been pro now for two years, and this is my second full year on Epson, so I felt like I've had all the experiences that I need to get to the tour," Avery said. "The first half of the year was really good for me, and I'm kind of just finding my way again out here."

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Ace Highlights Second-Round 68 for Amari Avery as LPGA Tour Card Remains in Sight

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