The options were clear as day this week for Emily Tubert.
Either Monday Qualify for the Kingsmill Championship or wake up on Tuesday morning and drive five hours to the Epson Tour event in Charlotte.
She can sleep in.
Tubert made a birdie on hole 18 at the River Course at Kingsmill Resort to post a 1-under, 71 to earn one of two spots along with Dorsey Addicks, who also turned in a 71. There were 35 players attempting to qualify on Monday in Williamsburg.
It's nice timing for Tubert, who turns 26 years old on Tuesday.
"It was a nice birthday present and I love this event and the golf course," said Tubert, who also Monday Qualified for the HUGEL-JTBC LA Open earlier this year. "I played really well, I only had two birdies, but I hit a lot of great shots and had a lot of looks for birdie."
Tubert didn't think 1-under was going to hold, but she was pleasantly surprised. She made bogey on hole 15 and hit two great iron shots on 16 and 17, but was unable to get back under par. On 18, her tee shot went a bit right, but she hit a wedge to 8-feet and sank the putt.
"I stuffed shots on 16 and 17 and missed putts so I was like 'you've got to be kidding me' because I knew I needed to get one back," explained Tubert. "(On 18) I was like 'please lord let me make one putt' and I rolled it in just barely."
The Kingsmill Championship was Tubert's second start as a rookie last year. She made the cut, but then dislocated her shoulder and missed the cut in six of her next seven starts.
Things are trending for Tubert, whot earned a paycheck two weeks ago at the shortened VOA LPGA Texas Classic to improve her status post reshuffle. Based on her new priority number, she will likely get into the Volvik Championship next week as well.
"I've got to take advantage," said Tubert. "I'm really pumped to be playing this week."
)
)
)
)
