Isi Gabsa didn’t want to admit it, but she reckons this is probably her 10th trip to LPGA Qualifying School. The 29-year-old German has been there enough to know the goal is always to win at the no-cut event.
The top 35 and ties after four rounds at Plantation Golf and Country Club advance to December’s Final Qualifying. Gabsa carded a 5-under 67 on Wednesday to sit two strokes behind a trio at 9 under that includes two amateurs.
“I think it was just one of those days where the bad shots just end up in a good spot,” said Gabsa of her bogey-free day on the Panther Course.
Texas A&M’s Adela Cernousek, who won the NCAA Championship last spring, carded a 66 on the Panther Course that included two bogeys. Cernousek holds a share of seventh at the midway point, three behind the leaders. She has Stacy Lewis’ father, Dale Lewis, on the bag this week in Venice, Florida. The two-time major winner and victorious Solheim Cup captain is married to A&M head coach Gerrod Chadwell.
LPGA Q-Series: Qualifying stage leaderboard
Cernousek, one of 19 amateurs in the field, will have to turn professional to participate in Final Qualifying, should she advance.
“I didn’t really set any goals,” said the Frenchwoman. “Just try to do my best and see what happens at the end of this week.”
UCLA’s senior Zoe Campos, who is also playing this week as an amateur, holds a share of the lead at 9 under alongside fellow amateur Ashley Menne and Roberta Liti. Both Campos and Menne, who wrapped up her collegiate career at Arizona State last spring, carded 67s. Liti followed an opening 66 with a 69.
Other notables include former Wake Forest standout Rachel Kuehn, who moved up the leaderboard to a share of 33rd after a second-round 70. Former Solheim Cup player Matilda Castren vaulted up after a 68 to a share of 28th. Former USC standout Amari Avery shot 69-71 and is T-19.
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson followed an opening 78 on the Panther Course with a 69 on the Bobcat. Davidson moved from 171st after Round 1 to 108th.
All players who complete four rounds at Plantation will receive Epson Tour status. Davidson would be the second transgender golfer to earn status on the developmental circuit. Bobbi Lancaster earned status in 2013 through Stage I of LPGA Q-School but never actually competed in a official event.
