The 2026 Epson Tour season kicks off with the Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf, March 5-7, at Atlantic Beach Country Club in Atlantic Beach, Fla. This marks the first event of the year on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, with players chasing points in the Race for the Card to earn LPGA Tour status for 2027. A purse of $250,000 is up for grabs, including 500 points to the winner. Here are some names to watch as the season begins:

Gianna Clemente

Gianna Clemente is one of the most anticipated rookies heading into the 2026 season. The 17-year-old phenom turned pro in late 2025 after a stellar amateur career, including 2024 AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors, and earned Epson Tour membership through LPGA Qualifying Series. She made headlines with a runner-up finish as an amateur at the 2025 Guardian Championship, to Melanie Green, and recently announced a partnership with Nike. Clemente is eager to jumpstart her first full pro season, starting right here in Florida after competing on the LPGA Tour in Thailand as a sponsor invite into the Honda LPGA Thailand, where she finished T53 at even par. As a young talent bypassing college, she's expected to contend early and often in her pursuit of LPGA dreams.

Kim Kaufman

Kim Kaufman, a resilient three-time Epson Tour winner, is making an inspiring return to full-time competition in 2026 after overcoming a breast cancer diagnosis in late 2024. The Texas native faced an unexpected and limited 2025 season due to treatment, but she mounted a strong comeback: competing in select Women's All Pro Tour events, earning a sponsor invite to the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, and advancing impressively through LPGA Q-Series, from Qualifying to Final Qualifying stage after a solid performance at the Qualifying Stage (T29, -4).

Kaufman is now cancer-free and eager to rebuild momentum. She joined the Epson Tour in 2013 and boasts notable victories, including the 2020 Four Winds Invitational.

Kaufman enters the 2026 season opener with renewed determination, looking to add to her professional resume and climb the Race for the Card standings toward earning her LPGA Tour card by season's end. Atlantic Beach, Fla., marks a fresh start at the Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf, the first event of the year, as the Texas Tech University alumna seeks her fourth career professional win and the confidence to compete at the highest level once again.

Mirabel Ting

Mirabel Ting is one of the most exciting rookies to watch in the 2026 Epson Tour season, fresh off one of the most dominant collegiate careers in recent history. The 20-year-old Malaysian phenom transferred to Florida State University after starting at Augusta University and dominated during her time with the Seminoles. She racked up seven individual wins across her two seasons at FSU, set a national record for the lowest single-season stroke average (68.77), and earned medalist honors five times in her standout senior year.

Ting's accolades include the 2025 ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel, WGCA Division I Ping Player of the Year, 2025 ACC Golfer of the Year, Golfweek National Player of the Year, and multiple All-American honors. She turned professional in the summer of 2025, making her pro debut at the Amundi Evian Championship. After advancing through the LPGA Q-Series stages in late 2025, Ting earned Epson Tour status for 2026. Now entering her first full professional season on the circuit, she's poised to contend early as the season opens at the Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf in her adopted home state of Florida.

Jackie Lucena

Jackie Lucena is a 24-year-old American professional golfer from Chico, California, now based in Jacksonville, Fla. She turned pro in mid-2024 after a successful collegiate career, graduating from the University of Florida in 2024, where she played as a fifth-year senior for the Gators women's golf team. Earlier in college, she competed for UC Davis, earning 2021 All-Big West First Team and All-Academic honors.

She began her pro journey on the Women's All Pro Tour (WAPT), where she quickly made an impact, earning Epson Tour exemptions with strong showings, including her first professional win in 2025 at the United Way Open on the WAPT. She joined the Epson Tour as a rookie in 2025, competing in eight events and building her resume. Entering her sophomore season in 2026, Lucena continues to chase progress in the Race for the Card standings, as she pursues advancement toward the LPGA Tour. She's a determined up-and-comer to watch in the early-season events like the Atlantic Beach Classic.

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.

Players to Watch: 2026 Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf

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