The 2026 Epson Tour season kicked off last week with the Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf, March 5-7, at Atlantic Beach Country Club in Atlantic Beach, Fla.

The Epson Tour is now in Longwood, Fla., for the second event of the season at Alaqua Country Club, with players chasing points in the Race for the Card to earn LPGA Tour status for 2027. A purse of $200,000 is up for grabs, including 500 points to the winner. Here are some names to watch as the season continues its kickoff:

Keira Shavitranuruk (i) (a)

Keira Shavitranuruk, a talented 14-year-old amateur golfer from Orlando, Fla., has earned a coveted sponsor invite to compete in the IOA Golf Classic, scheduled for March 13-15. As a rising star in junior golf, she has amassed an impressive resume, including multiple victories on the Florida Junior Tour. Additionally, she earned the 2024 South Florida PGA Jr. Tour Player of the Year in the Girls 13-18 Medalist division.

This sponsor exemption offers her a rare chance for Shavitranuruk to test her game against professionals on the key developmental tour to the LPGA. Fans and scouts should keep an eye on her solid ball-striking and rising trajectory as she continues to climb the ranks.

Kaitlyn Papp Budde

Kaitlyn Papp Budde recently showcased her talent by finishing tied for second (T2) at the 2026 Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf, carding a strong final-round 69 to end at 9-under and share runner-up honors with Maria Fassi and Annabelle Pancake-Webb, behind winner Isabella Fierro. Her impressive performance, which included a 5-under second round that positioned her well, has boosted her standing in the Race for the Card points list as she continues her push toward the LPGA Tour. A former standout at the University of Texas, where she earned two-time All-American honors and set the school record for career stroke average at 71.91, Kaitlyn turned professional in 2021 after a successful amateur career. She joined the Epson Tour in 2022 and has built a solid resume, claiming nine top-10 finishes, including this latest strong showing as her highest finish yet.

Now heading to Alaqua Country Club, Kaitlyn arrives with momentum and confidence from her recent near-miss victory. Fans should keep an eye on Kaitlyn as she seeks to build on her hot start to the 2026 season and contend for another top finish.

Kate Smith-Stroh

Kate Smith-Stroh delivered a strong performance by finishing tied for fifth (T5) at the 2026 Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf, closing with an impressive final-round 66 to reach 8-under par and earn $9,886 in prize money. This hot finish, including a surge of -5 over her last four holes, capped off rounds of 70-69-66 and highlighted her ability to perform under pressure early in the season. A former standout at the University of Nebraska, where she won the Big Ten Championship in 2021 and was named Big Ten Golfer of the Year, Smith-Stroh earned her LPGA Tour card for 2025 after grinding through the Epson Tour and LPGA Q-Series. She has a solid Epson Tour history dating back to 2022, with eight top-10 finishes, including a career-best 2nd at the 2025 Island Resort Championship presented by Delta County Chamber. Now heading to the IOA Golf Classic, fans should keep an eye on Kate as she leverages this early-season form to climb the Race for the Card standings.

Brooke Biermann (a)

Brooke Biermann, a 23-year-old rookie on the Epson Tour in 2026, is making her debut this season after a standout amateur and collegiate career that culminated in earning full-time status through the LPGA Q-Series Qualifying Stage. A 2025 graduate of Michigan State University, she left as one of the program's all-time greats with a career scoring average of 72.96, the third-best in MSU history, and earned honorable mention All-America honors from the WGCA and Golfweek in her senior year. During her time with the Spartans, she posted multiple top-5 finishes, including a runner-up at the Mary Fossum Invitational with a career-best 11-under 205, and fired a program-notable 8-under 64 in a single round. Her amateur accolades include winning the Missouri Women's Amateur Championship, advancing to the championship match of the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur, and qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open.

Biermann brings impressive talent and fresh momentum to the event this week as she adapts to the pro ranks. Her precise ball-striking, competitive experience from major amateur events, and strong collegiate pedigree make her a definite player to watch this week. As a promising rookie on the primary developmental pathway to the LPGA, her performance could signal big things ahead in her quest to climb the Race for the Card standings. Fans should keep an eye on Brooke as she continues to showcase the potential that made her one of the top amateurs in recent years.

Race for the Card Points List Breakdown

The real thrill lies in the Race for the Card points standings. At season’s end, the top 15 finishers secure LPGA Tour status for the next season.

The top 10 earn Category 9 status.
Nos. 11-15 receive Category 16 status, plus entry into LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifying for a chance to upgrade to Category 15.

Here are the current top 15 in the Race for the Card after week one of the 2026 Epson Tour season.

Isabella Fierro – 500 pts
Maria Fassi – 243.333 pts
Kaitlyn Papp Budde - 243.333 pts
Annabelle Pancake-Webb - 243.333 pts
Jessica Porvasnik – 132.500
Kate Smith-Stroh – 132.500
Kiira Riihijarvi – 95.000
Caitlin Peirce – 95.000
Dorsey Addicks – 75.000
Pauline Del Rosario – 75.000
Kaleiya Romero – 75.000
Carla Tejedo Mulet – 62.500
Lauren Clark – 62.500
Brianna Do – 53.000
Savannah Grewal – 53.000

Players To Watch - 2026 IOA Golf Classic

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