NCAA women’s champ changes mind, turns pro ahead of LPGA Q Series

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The lure of trying to earn an LPGA Tour card was too much for Texas A&M’s Adela Cernousek, the reigning NCAA women’s individual champ, to pass up after all. While initially saying she would forgo competing in next month’s LPGA Q Series and finish her senior year at Texas A&M, Cernousek changed her mind and announced on Monday that she was taking the next step in her golf career.

“Growing up in France, I could have never imagined any of this but after so many years of hard work I am excited to announce that I am turning professional and chasing my dream of playing on the LPGA Tour,” the 22-year-old said in a statement released by the school. “I can’t wait for this next chapter of my life and to make my dreams come true. Gig ‘Em Forever!”

Cernousek, No. 10 in the latest World Amateur Golf Ranking and the first Aggie to win the NCAA title, competed as an amateur in the second stage of LPGA Qualifying last month in Florida. By finishing co-medalist at Plantion, she earned the right to advance to the final stage but LPGA rules require any amateurs must turn pro to do so. If Cernousek declined to play and remained an amateur, she could accept playing privileges on the Epson Tour, the LPGA’s developmental circuit, for 2025.

Five college golfers earned spots in Q Series through their play in the second stage: Cernousek, UCLA’s Zoe Campos and Caroline Canales, Mississippi State’s Julia Lopez Ramirez, and Western Kentucky’s Catie Craig (2024 North & South Women’s Amateur champion). Campos, No. 8 in WAGR, and Ramirez, (No. 3 and formerly No. 1) both are turning pro—while Canales and Craig are remaining amateurs and deferring their Epson Tour cards until after the college season ends in May.

The process of top players being forced to leave mid-season if they wish to pursue an LPGA card continues to upset many college golf coaches, although an answer might be coming as early as this week. Golf Channel reported last week that the LPGA Tour plans to create two programs similar to the PGA Tour that would allow direct pathways for top college and amateur golfers to earn cards without having to abruptly leave school. An announcement of the programs is expected to happen this week at the LPGA’s CEM Group Tour Championship.

LPGA Q Series takes place Dec. 5-9 at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Mobile, Ala. Cernousek ends her career at Texas A&M with the second lowest career stroke average (71.79) by an A&M golfer.

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com