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USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lauren Coughlin on the 'fight and claw' to get to LPGA and Scottie Scheffler's inspiration
As young Lottie Woad makes her pro debut at this week's ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open, veteran Lauren Coughlin experiences a first of her own. Coughlin, 32, will defend an LPGA title for the first time this week at Dundonald Links. Needless to say, Coughlin's route to the LPGA was a bit bumpier than Woad's. A walk-on at Virginia who played in regional events growing up, Coughlin dropped down to the Epson Tour after losing her LPGA card early on and took the long route to the winner's circle – finally hoisting a trophy after 103 LPGA starts. "I think it's just a little bit different," said Coughlin the late-bloomer of her road to success on the LPGA. "Like I've had to kind of fight and claw to get here. And so not to say that Lottie has not had to fight and claw but in just kind of a little bit different kind of – she's fighting and clawing to win, whereas I was fighting and clawing to get status and keep status and things like that." Coughlin's win last year at Dundonald Links was her second in three starts, and she went into her first Solheim Cup as one of America's top players. She has cooled a bit since then, however, missing four cuts in her last five starts, including the recent Amundi Evian Championship. In April, she had two top-3 finishes. When asked what's changed, Coughlin said she was having more fun last year. "I feel like Evian, I was playing a lot better starting at Evian," said Coughlin, "and I just couldn't get the ball to go in the hole. But other than that, yeah, I feel like I'm just trying to get back to that, being a lot more relaxed and not trying so hard and want to do so well that sometimes you can tighten up." The LPGA was off last week while the men's British Open took place at Royal Portrush. Coughlin spent the week with friend Maja Stark in her small Swedish village, but managed to catch some of what Scheffler was doing and saying in Northern Ireland. "I think his perspective is very unique," said Coughlin, "and I feel like something that we should aspire to. You know, just the whole gratitude and his worth isn't defined by him as a golfer. It's defined by him as a husband and a father, and it's definitely, like, very aspirational to be like, yeah, I want to be a good wife and hopefully a good friend and hopefully a good mom some day, and to not be so into, like, your identity as a golfer. That's really hard, and it's definitely something I struggle with at times. "It's something that we care so much about and we want to do so well. But hearing him say some of those things, you can kind of learn some things from him."
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Gina Kim won her third Epson Tour title. Here's why she won't be promoted to the LPGA
On the same day amateur Lottie Woad made her leap onto the LPGA, Gina Kim won for a third time on the Epson Tour this season. In the past, that would've garnered Kim a midseason LPGA card. But the Epson Tour's so-called "battlefield promotion" went away after the 2018 season. Because players weren't getting many LPGA starts through the promotion, the tour felt it was somewhat of a false promise. Woad, who officially accepted her card earlier this week, slides into the Category 13 spot on the LPGA Priority List, behind players who finished Nos. 81 to 100 on the previous season CME points list and ahead of those who have reshuffled in 2025. The Englishwoman, who finished in a share of third at Evian, earned a spot in next week's ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open by virtue of her recent win on the LET in Ireland. She's in the AIG Women's British Open field based on her top-10 finish last year at St. Andrews. Woad's LEAP card then gets her into the next five LPGA events – starting in Portland – where she'll have a chance to play her way into the limited-field Asian swing. Why can't three-time Epson Tour winners have that same opportunity? There might even be an argument for those players moving to a higher category than 13. Three-time winners aren't unusual on the development circuit. Since the rule changed, five players have won three times in a single season. Dating back to 2010, 11 players have done it. That list includes Cindy LaCrosse, Marissa Steen, Annie Park, Madelene Sagstrom, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Hannah Green, Ruixin Liu, Patty Tavatanakit, Lilia Vu and Gabriela Ruffels. The PGA Tour offers what it calls a three-victory promotion through the Korn Ferry Tour. Only 13 players have accomplished the feat since 1997, with Matt McCarty being the latest in 2024. Kim, a 25 year-old Duke grad, won wire-to-wire at the Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship to move into the No. 1 spot in the Race for the Card ranking. There are eight events left on the Epson Tour schedule.
Business Upturn
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Upturn
PXG Congratulates Gina Kim on Stellar Victory at Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship
By GlobeNewswire Published on July 15, 2025, 03:24 IST Scottsdale, AZ, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PXG proudly congratulates LPGA professional golfer Gina Kim on her commanding victory at the Epson Tour's Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship. Demonstrating exceptional skill and poise, Kim secured her third win of the 2025 season with a final score of 14-under, finishing six strokes clear of the field at Great River Golf Club. Kim's performance in Milford, Connecticut, was marked by multiple highlights: Round 1: shot 8-under to match the event's 18-hole scoring record Round 2: maintained poise and accuracy, shooting 3-under to stay atop the leaderboard Round 3: wire-to-wire consistency kept her firmly in control Round 4: shot another sub-70 round to comfortably clinch the win This marks Kim's third career Epson Tour victory, following earlier wins this season at the IOA Golf Classic and Copper Rock Championship. She continues to climb the Race for the Card standings with her eyes set on the LPGA Tour. 'Gina's game is sharp, and she is fearless. She came out firing and never let up,' said PXG Founder and CEO. 'We're incredibly proud to count her among our PXG Troops and look forward to watching her continue to climb the ranks.' What's in Gina Kim's Bag (WITB): Driver: PXG Black Ops Tour-4 Prototype Driver Fairway Woods: PXG Black Ops Tour Prototype 3-wood; PXG Black Ops 5-wood Hybrids: PXG Black Ops Hybrids (22°, 25°) Irons: PXG GEN7 P (6-iron); PXG 0317T (7-iron through W) Wedges: PXG Sugar Daddy II (50/10, 54/10, 60/10) Putter: PXG Brandon II Tour 'This week was really special,' PXG Pro Gina Kim shared. 'I felt confident in every part of my game, and a big part of that comes from knowing I have the right equipment in the bag. Every club has been fit to me, dialed in for how I play, and that gives me the freedom to just focus, trust it, and go. I'm so grateful to the PXG team for their support and for giving me the tools to compete at the highest level.' To learn more about PXG and its tour-caliber golf club fitting experience visit ABOUT PARSONS XTREME GOLF Founded by entrepreneur and self-proclaimed golf nut Bob Parsons, PXG embodies his belief that every new product – from golf clubs to sport fashion apparel – should be markedly better. Every innovation should noticeably improve your performance. And every moment of impact should elevate your enjoyment. Today, PXG offers a complete lineup of right- and left-handed golf clubs, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, engineered to be custom fit and built to every golfer's unique specification. The company also designs and delivers high-performance golf and lifestyle apparel and accessories. PXG's professional staff includes Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Eric Cole, Jake Knapp, Patrick Fishburn, Zach Johnson, David Lipsky, Henrik Norlander, Chad Ramey, Mason Andersen, Cristobal Del Solar, Patrick Cover, Brandon Crick, Seth Reeves, Augusto Nunez, Paul Barjon, Sebastian Cappelen, Kevin Dougherty, Ryan McCormick, Shad Tuten, Joey Garber, Nathan Petronzio, Celine Boutier, Linnea Strom, Mina Harigae, Auston Kim, Gina Kim, Megan Khang, Minji Kang, Kaitlin Milligan, and Christina Kim. Contact Info Leela Brennan [email protected] +1 480-387-5591 Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PXG Congratulates Gina Kim on Stellar Victory at Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship
Rising star dominates the field to earn her third Epson Tour title of the season Scottsdale, AZ, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PXG proudly congratulates LPGA professional golfer Gina Kim on her commanding victory at the Epson Tour's Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship. Demonstrating exceptional skill and poise, Kim secured her third win of the 2025 season with a final score of 14-under, finishing six strokes clear of the field at Great River Golf Club. Kim's performance in Milford, Connecticut, was marked by multiple highlights: Round 1: shot 8-under to match the event's 18-hole scoring record Round 2: maintained poise and accuracy, shooting 3-under to stay atop the leaderboard Round 3: wire-to-wire consistency kept her firmly in control Round 4: shot another sub-70 round to comfortably clinch the win This marks Kim's third career Epson Tour victory, following earlier wins this season at the IOA Golf Classic and Copper Rock Championship. She continues to climb the Race for the Card standings with her eyes set on the LPGA Tour. 'Gina's game is sharp, and she is fearless. She came out firing and never let up,' said PXG Founder and CEO. 'We're incredibly proud to count her among our PXG Troops and look forward to watching her continue to climb the ranks.' What's in Gina Kim's Bag (WITB): Driver: PXG Black Ops Tour-4 Prototype Driver Fairway Woods: PXG Black Ops Tour Prototype 3-wood; PXG Black Ops 5-wood Hybrids: PXG Black Ops Hybrids (22°, 25°) Irons: PXG GEN7 P (6-iron); PXG 0317T (7-iron through W) Wedges: PXG Sugar Daddy II (50/10, 54/10, 60/10) Putter: PXG Brandon II Tour 'This week was really special,' PXG Pro Gina Kim shared. 'I felt confident in every part of my game, and a big part of that comes from knowing I have the right equipment in the bag. Every club has been fit to me, dialed in for how I play, and that gives me the freedom to just focus, trust it, and go. I'm so grateful to the PXG team for their support and for giving me the tools to compete at the highest level.' To learn more about PXG and its tour-caliber golf club fitting experience visit ABOUT PARSONS XTREME GOLF Founded by entrepreneur and self-proclaimed golf nut Bob Parsons, PXG embodies his belief that every new product – from golf clubs to sport fashion apparel – should be markedly better. Every innovation should noticeably improve your performance. And every moment of impact should elevate your enjoyment. Today, PXG offers a complete lineup of right- and left-handed golf clubs, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, engineered to be custom fit and built to every golfer's unique specification. The company also designs and delivers high-performance golf and lifestyle apparel and accessories. PXG's professional staff includes Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Eric Cole, Jake Knapp, Patrick Fishburn, Zach Johnson, David Lipsky, Henrik Norlander, Chad Ramey, Mason Andersen, Cristobal Del Solar, Patrick Cover, Brandon Crick, Seth Reeves, Augusto Nunez, Paul Barjon, Sebastian Cappelen, Kevin Dougherty, Ryan McCormick, Shad Tuten, Joey Garber, Nathan Petronzio, Celine Boutier, Linnea Strom, Mina Harigae, Auston Kim, Gina Kim, Megan Khang, Minji Kang, Kaitlin Milligan, and Christina Kim. Contact Info Leela Brennanpress@ 480-387-5591Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LPGA launches new college program that provides direct route to Epson Tour
There's now an easier way for the best collegiate players to enter the professional game. On Wednesday, the LPGA rolled out its new LPGA Collegiate Advancement Pathway (LCAP), a program that creates a direct route to the 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. Advertisement 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 B: Complete four years of collegiate academics, including a minimum of two seasons 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 Advertisement 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
