The “Road to the LPGA” both ends and begins this week at the Symetra Tour Championship.
While it’s the last of 23 events for the LPGA’s developmental circuit for 2015, it sets up a new start for a handful of players.
There will be at least 10 winners on Sunday, with LPGA membership for the 2016 season being awarded after the conclusion of the championship.
The top 10 on the Symetra Tour’s final money list will be awarded LPGA tour cards for 2016 after the final putt falls at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.
A field of 108 will tee it up in Thursday’s first round, but only 23 players mathematically have a shot to finish among the top 10 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. The $150,000 purse features a $22,500 first-place check.
“It’s a big dream for everyone, and that’s why we’re all out here grinding every week,” said Sweden’s Dani Holmqvist, who is fifth on the money list.
Italy’s Giulia Molinaro, who holds the top spot on the money list with $68,632, isn’t in this week’s field, but she has already clinched her promotion. Annie Park, the former USC standout and winner of the 2013 NCAA Championship, is in the field. She’s the only three-time winner on tour this year. Vicky Hurst, who made the American Solheim Cup team in 2011, is in the field as a two-time winner. Jackie Stoelting will be looking for her third victory in a row.
Here are the top 23 players on the Symetra Tour money list, all looking to secure top-10 spots at week’s end:
1 Giulia Molinaro, $68,632
2 Annie Park, $66,684
3 Lee Lopez, $60,995
4 Daniella Iacobelli, $60,703
5 Dani Holmqvist, $60,171
6 Vicky Hurst, $57,814
7 Alejandra Llaneza, $57,802
8 Casey Grice, $54,501
9 Augusta James, $53,077
10 Rachel Rohanna, $52,314
11 Haruka Morita-WanyaoLu, $51,594
12 Brianna Do, $51,037
13 Lindy Duncan, $50,315
14 Jimin Kang, $46,612*
15 Maude-Aimee Leblanc, $44,809
16 Caroline Westrup, $44,243
17 Madeleine Sheils, $43,418
18 Chie Arimura, $43,410
19 Samantha Richdale, $40,701
20 Brittany Benvenuto, $39,577
21 Brittany Altomare, $33,518
22 Katie Kempter, $33,094
23 Dottie Ardina, $30,129
* Kang withdrew from the championship Wednesday.