Battling through cold and rain, Filipino golfer Clariss Guce formally claimed her LPGA card on Wednesday, joining compatriot Bianca Pagdanganan in the big league next year.
The 33-year-old Guce placed tied for 38th after six rounds of the Q-Series in Mobile, Alabama, clinching the full status she last held in 2019.
It was not just the formidable field that Guce had to face, though.
“You just hope that you layer (clothing) properly and take it as it goes. You just had to be patient with yourself and understand that the ball is gonna go short not just because of the weather but also because you’re not moving fast,” Guce said in an interview.
“Just being patient and nicer to yourself and picking your battles.”
Guce, who played for California State Northridge, made nine cuts out of 16 during her brief stint in the Tour. Her best finish was T12 in the Indy Women’s.
But she has been campaigning in the lower-tier Epson Tour since 2016 where she owns two career wins.
Failing to make the grade were Pauline del Rosario and Dottie Ardina who ranked 68th and 70th, respectively.
Only the Top 45 and ties earned full status next season, and they will have to go back campaigning in the Epson Tour, with occasional invites or exemptions in 2024.
Robyn Choi worked her way to the top of the leaderboard to claim medalist honors. She started her day two shots out of the lead behind So Mi Lee.
The Aussie started her day on No. 1, staying consistent with three pars on her first three holes. She picked up a birdie on her first par 5 of the day before hitting another streak of pars from Nos. 5 to 7.
She carded a final-round 68, turning in her sixth round in a row in the 60s and being the only player to do so at the 2023 LPGA Q-Series. The 25-year-old will be returning to the LPGA Tour for the first time since 2019.
Japanese player Mao Saigo and Korean player Lee finished in a tie for second after six rounds.
A six-time champion on the JLPGA, Saigo carded a final-round 70, her only round in the 70s this week.
She had two birdies on holes 2 and 6 before making a bogey on the par-3 8th hole to make the turn at one under.
Both Saigo and Lee will be 2024 LPGA Tour Rookies next season.
A total of six players finishing in the top 10 will be LPGA Tour Rookies heading into the 2024 season, including Canadian Savannah Grewal who started her journey to LPGA status through Stage I of the LPGA and Epson Tour Qualifying Tournament.
