In Cassie Porter, Australia has another talent eyeing the LPGA Tour
[Images – Getty images: Andy Cheung]
Keep an eye out for Cassie Porter, a 20-year-old rising star. The Queenslander is a talented young golfer with big ambitions. Porter will contest LPGA Q-School for the first time in December. If she gains status on the tour, she intends to spend considerable time in the United States teeing it up with the best women in the game.
Besides possessing a great golf swing, Porter also has all the tools to make it to the top: maturity beyond her years, a steely mental game and a burning desire to be the best.
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When did you start playing golf and what/who was the inspiration?
We moved to the Sunshine Coast when I was very little, and Mum and Dad played a lot of golf. They introduced me to the game when I was 6 years old. They also gave me the opportunity to try many sports; dancing, swimming and tee-ball to name a few. By the age of 9, I was playing tournaments regularly on the Invincibles Tour for juniors on the Sunshine Coast. My two brothers also play golf.
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Other than your enormous success as an amateur (including victories in 2019 at the Victorian Junior Open, Greg Norman Junior Masters and Jack Newton International Junior Classic), what factors made you decide to turn professional for the 2022 season?
At the age of 12, I realised I wanted to be a professional golfer. At that time, I was playing off a 5 handicap. A few years later, at 15, I won the Katherine Kirk Classic. This tournament is a strong event with a competitive field. It was this win that really boosted my self-belief. I was playing off a handicap of plus-2 and regularly shooting low rounds and winning amateur events. It was around this stage of my life I began to focus my energy on a future career in playing golf.
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You have had a great debut year playing professionally – eight top-10 finishes in 11 tournaments so far. Are you happy with your performance and what do you think has contributed to this form?
I’m very happy with my first year of professional golf. It has been brief, however a good few months playing on the Aussie tour (WPGA). I feel this year has been instrumental in building a great belief foundation and it has even further cemented my love for the game and made me feel entirely certain I want my future to be in golf. It has also been the perfect lead up to LPGA Q-School, which is my next challenge.
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What will next year look like for you?
The first few years are hard to map out. The plan is to play everything I can to establish myself in terms of the order of merit. The deciding factor will undoubtedly be how I fare at LPGA Q-School. I will be exempt from the first stage of Q-School because of my world ranking. Through playing Stage Two, I will earn status on the Epson Tour, which will mean at the very least I will be playing in America on the secondary tour and giving myself opportunities to win tournaments week in, week out. Hopefully I have LPGA status and will play on that tour as much as I can. I plan on spending blocks of time in the USA and utilising Golf Australia House in Orlando. I love Australia and it is home, so I will be making an effort to come home in between stretches of golf.
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How has the transition been from an elite amateur to professional golf?
Once you get your head around the fact you are playing golf for money, it’s easy. Being a professional doesn’t change how you play the game; 150 out is still 150 out. There is much hype around turning professional, but I’ve managed to simplify this concept and feel at ease about it. I am focusing on continuing to work hard. It will feel great to be rewarded for my efforts both in terms of moving up the order of merit and financially.
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What are your goals for 2023, on and off the course?
In terms of life in general, I want to be the best person I can possibly be, physically and mentally. Golf is not everything and I place great importance on having a balanced life and plenty of things outside golf. Playing professional golf is my No.1 priority right now. My goal is to be No.1 in the world. Regardless of whether I reach my goal, I do see myself in the golf industry in some capacity.
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It is common for players these days to have a team around them. Who is in your team and how much do you rely on them?
I really value my team. In fact, they are like family to me. Dan Morrison (director of golf at Peregian Golf Course) is my swing coach and Matt Winkley (owner of WinkFit) is my strength and conditioning coach. We all have the same goal of seeing continual improvement in my golf and I really feel their support and encouragement.
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Do you have a mentor, and have you sought any career advice?
Dawn Fraser is a mentor and is a big part of my life. My dad is a tennis coach and happens to teach her grandson. My mother is a swimming coach and through these connections we have become family friends. Dawn has given me some wonderful guidance and specific advice when it comes to attacking difficult situations with mental strength. She has also helped me with public-speaking skills, as it is an area I am interested in.
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Who are the professionals that have inspired you growing up?
Karrie Webb has been a big inspiration; of course, Hannah Green as well. As much as I admire them, I don’t want to be “the next Karrie Webb”; I want to be me and see what I can do!
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What other interests do you have away from golf?
I’m an outdoor sort of person and I love spending time at the beach, exploring new areas and recently I have tried my hand at surfing, courtesy of my partner. I just love being outdoors and playing sports.
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Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I see myself established on the LPGA Tour, living my best life. I really want to be competing against the best golfers in the world and reaching my full potential.
