My journey starts now
I am officially a professional golfer! Those of you following my blog will know that, after the Portland Classic Amateur Open last month, I was signed up to play in the Monday Qualifier for the Portland Classic at Columbia Edgewater on September 12. But last Thursday, I received a call from the tournament director for the LPGA Portland Classic. He offered me a sponsor’s exemption into the tournament and to make it my professional debut. I was speechless. This opportunity is something that I have dreamt of my whole life – my first professional tournament in my home state!
Past years at the Portland Classic
The Portland Classic is special to me in so many ways. As a junior golfer, I carried the standard in the tournament for many summers, walking inside the ropes with golfers like Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome and Cristie Kerr.
In 2019, I qualified to play in the Portland Classic for the first time, after getting through both the amateur qualifier and the Monday qualifier. With my brother on the bag, I had two really good rounds and made the cut. On Saturday, I was paired with world # 1 Jin Young Ko. The crowds and support that weekend made me realize that professional golf was something I wanted to pursue. After this experience as an amateur, I knew I wanted to come back and play as a professional.
In 2021, I received a sponsor’s exemption just days before the tournament. I was actually competing in a collegiate tournament earlier in the week in Albuquerque, so I didn’t get back to Oregon in time for a practice round. The Portland Classic was being played at the Oregon Golf Club and I have been fortunate to play there a numer of times as a junior golfer, so I walked the course Wednesday with my college coach, who was caddying for me. I played okay on Thursday, but had a great round Friday, which led to me making the cut. Unfortunately, there was a crazy Oregon storm, it rained A LOT and play on Saturday was eventually cancelled. When play resumed on Sunday, it wasn’t my best golf. However, playing in two LPGA Portland Classics as an amateur was a huge accomplishment and making both cuts was incredible.
This year I planned on flying up from my new home in San Diego for the Monday qualifier and trying to earn myself a spot in the tournament as I did in 2019. The sponsor’s exemption was both a surprise and an honor, and I am thrilled to make my professional debut next week in my home state.
I will be playing practice rounds starting on Sunday, as well as participating in my first pro-am. I am looking forward to meeting people, seeing family and friends supporting and playing the sport I love at the highest level. I am so thankful to AmazingCre, Cambia and everyone a part of the Portland Classic for helping make this experience happen. No matter what happens, I am proud to be able to start my journey as a professional golfer in Oregon.
The event starts September 15 and finishes September 18. Golf Channel will have coverage 12pm-3pm Thursday-Sunday. I hope to see many of you out on the course! Tickets to the Portland Classic can be found at www.portlandclassic.com. I can’t wait to get next week started.
Updates
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