The Season Finale — Q School Stage II
By Addie Parker
The IX: Golf Thursday with Addie Parker, Nov. 17, 2022
Happy Golf Thursday my friends! If you can believe it, this week marks the final event on the 2022 LPGA schedule. The season absolutely flew by, with so many incredible moments displaying in front of us.
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(Editor’s note: come watch the final event WITH Addie on Playback right here, starting 2:30 PM ET Sunday, November 20. Free to sign up and learn from Addie while the drama reaches its apex! CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP.)
Moments like this past Sunday at the Pelican Championship, with Nelly Korda capturing her first win of what has been a rocky season for her. Her blood clot sidelined her for months, and I think a lot of us were wondering how it had impacted her mentally and physically.
Her tearful eyes after her round give you an idea of just how much this win meant to her. “It’s been a tough year. I missed two cuts in Arkansas and Dallas, but I kept my head high and worked really hard. It feels really good to be on top.”
With this win, she also returns as world No.1 in the Rolex rankings.
Like I mentioned last week, the LPGA has increasingly become more competitive. Each event, each win is a hard fought battle, and well earned. I’m so happy for Nelly and I think this win sets her up beautifully for the season finale in Naples, Florida.
The CME Group Tour Championship is the cherry on top of all the other events in the season.
It’s why CME points are counted in the Race to the CME Globe. It’s where Player of the Year, the Vare Trophy (player with the lowest scoring average), and the Money Title awards are gifted. Not to mention the $2 million dollar prize for the winner.
CME is a the sweetest of treats for the top-60 players who qualify.
The field this week is loaded, and there are some matchups I am stoked to see.
Like everyone else, my eyes are on that Lydia Ko/Atthaya Thitikul pairing who are going off later today at 12:40pm ET. To follow along click here.
That being said, Sunday’s final round will be broadcasted on NBC starting at 1pm ET. I will be having a livestream on Playback to celebrate. Sign up for free, grab a snack or a beverage, and come watch some golf with me! It’s a great way for us to interact with one another, and broaden our The IX golf family to more than just Thursdays. I hope to see as many of you there as possible!
This week in women’s golf
If you have links you wish to share for Golf Thursday, sources for golf news, or want to talk about anything at all, you can email me at addieparker25@gmail.com ! Discussion of any kind is always welcome…I mean it…MESSAGE ME!
LPGA News
Obviously with this week being the final event there are a lot of things to know before hand, here are the major things.
What happened to Brooke Henderson at Pelican? She provides a health update and status for CME
Rookie of the Year winner is the belle of the ball at CME
Lydia Ko’s potential to be this year’s biggest winner
10 players will make their CME Group Tour Championship debuts
Defending champ Jin Young Ko is still dealing with her wrist injury
This headline from Golf.com is… interesting: ‘Massive payday at this week’s LPGA event dwarfs most PGA Tour prizes’. I get the sentiment but let’s be real, the pay disparity is incomparable.
Other LPGA related news…
Minjee Lee has won the 2022 Aon Risk Reward Challenge and the $1 million prize
LET News
Aramco Team Series – Jeddah: Chiara Noja and Team Garcia win after play-offs
The Netherlands selected to host 2026 Solheim Cup
2023 AIG Women’s Open: Tickets on sale
Opinion: Did LIV Golf limp to the finish line?
Player Feature: Germany’s Patricia Isabel Schmidt secured her LET card for the 2023 season
Epson Tour News
Stage II will be the highlight of Five at The IX so check there for more info!
Alessandra Fanali, Stage I medalist is ready for this week
NCAA News
Texas A&M’s Hailee Cooper to nearly quit; now she leads
Signing Day: Class of 2023 rankings for women and men
USC signee Bailey Shoemaker among amateurs at second stage of LPGA Q-School
Watch: Alabama, Stanford earn elite women’s golf recruits
Five at The IX: 5 Things to know about Stage II of Q School
Rapid Recap of Stage I
If you can transport yourself back to August, prime summer heat, in the California desert, then you can recall just how difficult Stage I was. Over 300 players traveled to Mission Hills for the first of three stages of Qualifying School. 106 players shot two-over or better to advance to the second stage, with Alessandra Fanali leading the way at -14.
Stage to was originally scheduled to be on October 18-21, but had to be pushed back due to Hurricane Ian. There wasn’t enough time to switch venues and keep the time frame, there the decision to delay the rounds was made.
The Format
It’s a 72-hole no-cut format.
Players who qualified through Stage I or are exempt to Stage II can compete in Stage II as an amateur, however, they must turn professional prior to the Q-Series. Players who compete in Stage II but do not qualify for Q-Series will receive Epson Tour status. A minimum of the top-30 scores and ties will be advanced from Stage II to Q-Series.
The Course
Plantation Golf and Country Club, Venice, FL (Bobcat and Panther courses). Course conditions should be relatively fair, considering the tropical storm that came through Florida last week.
Players have stated that conditions have made the course ‘easier’, and with temperatures in the 70s it should be a very competitive weekend of golf!
What’s at Stake
After Stage II, the shift to the Q-Series occurs. The Q Series is “Stage III” but it’s broken down into two parts. Players who advance to the Q-series keep their chances alive for earning their tour card for 2023. The first round of the Q Series will take place on November 28 – December 4 at Magnolia Grove Golf Course, Mobile, AL ( the Crossings and Falls golf courses).
The cut after week one will be top-70 and ties. Players who complete week one but do not advance to week two will receive 2023 Epson Tour status.
Week two will be December 5 – December 11 Highland Oaks Golf Course in Dothan, AL.
How 2023 Status is earned after Stage III, week two:
- Players finishing in positions 1-20 and ties earn LPGA status in Category 14.
- Players finishing in positions 21-45 and ties earn LPGA status in Category 15 and Epson Tour status in Category C.
- Players finishing outside the top-45 and ties, who complete all rounds before the cut, will earn Epson Tour status.
How to Follow Along
Unfortunately there isn’t streaming available to watch Stage II, but you can follow live-scoring and the leaderboard here.
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