Lexi Thompson is making Mike Whan look good. The 16-year-old hero of the victorious 2010 U.S. Curtis Cup team, who received a waiver of the LPGA Tour’s age requirement from commissioner Whan, fired back-to-back 6-under 66s on Tuesday and Wednesday to move to the top of the leaderboard in the first stage of the LPGA’s qualifying tournament.
With much of the field still on the course or yet to tee off, Thompson made quick work of LPGA International’s Champions course in Daytona Beach, Fla. If no one else makes a run, the big-hitting teen will enter the third round with a three-stroke advantage over amateur Mitsuki Katahira. First-round leader and a Curtis Cup teammate of Thompson’s at Massachusetts’ Essex County Club, Stephanie Kono, had an afternoon tee time and will begin her day five shots back of Thompson’s 12-under 132.
While Thompson may well lead the top 70 players and ties who will make the cut after 36 holes, she still has plenty of work to do to earn tour membership. Fifty of the 150 competitors (and ties) will advance to Stage II of Q-school at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla., from September 27-September 30.
After that, the lowest 70 scores and ties from Stage II will head to the final qualifying event. That 90-hole contest on LPGA International’s Champions and Legends courses will take place November 30-December 4.
Top finishers in the final stage will earn their 2012 LPGA cards, with all others who make the cut achieving LPGA Futures Tour status. Click here for a complete list of scores.
(Photo: Lexi Thompson hits out of the rough during 2010 Curtis Cup matches at Essex County Club — Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
(Emily Kay is a regular contributor to New England Golf Monthly. Check her out on the Waggle Room, Boston Golf Examiner, National Golf Examiner, and GottaGoGolf websites. You may also follow Kay on Twitter @golfexaminer.)
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