LPGA launches new college program that provides direct route to Epson Tour
The top 10 players in the new LCAP rankings – which will include Division I college tournaments as well as non-collegiate events recognized by the World Amateur Golf Ranking – will receive Epson Tour status as well as exemptions through the tour's LPGA Qualifying series. The new system will save players thousands in LPGA Q-School fees and could encourage some to stay in school longer.
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The new program places an emphasis on academic requirements. To be eligible for LCAP, players must meet one of the following criteria: Option A: Exhaust four seasons of competition as defined by NCAA regulations.Option B: Complete four years of collegiate academics, including a minimum of two seasons ofcompetition.Option C: Provide documented intent and evidence of early graduation, including a minimum of twoseasons of competition.
Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana, the LPGA's SVP of tour operations, said that in creating the new program, the tour analyzed the makeup of the Epson Tour and found that 82 percent of the top 80 over the past four years played college golf. And of those 82 percent, they averaged 3.79 years at school.
The new LCAP ranking system will debut sometime later this year, and the top 10 will be determined following the conclusion of the 2026 NCAA Championship. Players who wish to be eligible for the LCAP must submit an application by July 22 at noon ET.
The tour outlined the following benefits for those who finish in the top 10:No. 1• Epson Tour Priority List status in Category D for the remainder of the 2026 season and the following season (2027).• Exemption to Final Qualifying Stage of the 2026 LPGA Q-Series, providing the opportunity to improve
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Nos. 2–5• Epson Tour Priority List status in Category D for the remainder of the 2026 season and the following season (2027).• Exemption to Qualifying Stage (formerly Stage 2) of 2026 LPGA Q-Series.
Nos. 6–10• Epson Tour Priority List status in Category L for the remainder of the 2026 season and the following season (2027).• Exemption to Qualifying Stage of 2026 LPGA Q-Series.
Tangtiphaiboontana said that Category D and Category L status for this year would've gotten players into all remaining priority events of the season (10 events) following NCAAs, excluding the last three tournaments of the season, which are filled via the Race for the Card points system. Players could be eligible for those events as well, based on performance.
Last fall, the tour launched its LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program, which provides top amateur female golfers a way to get on the LPGA starting in 2025. No. 1-ranked Lottie Woad is well on her way to becoming the first to earn a card.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LPGA launches college program that provides direct route to Epson Tour
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