NOH READY FOR SUNDAY EXPERIENCE
Yealimi Noh knows what it takes to win on the amateur level. In 2018, she won the Girl’s Junior PGA Championship, U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in consecutive weeks. She also knows what it takes to be in contention on the professional level, playing in the final group at the 2019 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in her first LPGA event as a professional.
Noh was not able to seal the deal in Wisconsin, starting the day one stroke off the lead but falling into a tie for sixth with a final-round 68, unable to keep up with the firepower around her. On Sunday in Portland, she will have a second chance for LPGA glory, hoping to join AIG Women’s British Open champion Hinako Shibuno as non-Members to win 2019 LPGA Tour events.
“I'm just really excited to play tomorrow,” said Noh. “I'm just hoping I won't get too nervous coming down the stretch. I'm just excited to play.”
And what exactly would it mean to her to win on Sunday? “It would change my entire like, year, my life. That would just be a dream come true.”
HENDERSON KNOWS NOH’S CHALLENGE
If there is anyone who knows what Yealimi Noh is facing, it’s Brooke Henderson. In 2015, Henderson reached the Cambia Portland Classic field as a Monday Qualifier and won the tournament as a 17-year-old non-Member. With that victory, she successfully petitioned LPGA Commissioner Mike What for immediate Tour Membership. Noh has already turned 18 and does not have that hurdle ahead of her. But Henderson fully knows the challenges Noh will face when she takes to Columbia Edgewater in Sunday’s final round.
“I had I think a five-shot lead on Sunday, so I was just terrified. Just like don't give that away. I was just trying to make more birdies and stay ahead of the crowd,” said Henderson of her life-changing win four years ago. “It's really fun. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, and you can make it easier on yourself if you can go out and play one round well, as opposed to going to Q-School. If you can capitalize, it changes your whole life.
WITH A WIN
Yealimi Noh would earn LPGA Tour Membership; she could accept immediate Membership, making 2019 her rookie year, or defer her Membership and rookie season until 2020
Noh would become the third Monday Qualifier to win a LPGA Tour event, joining Brooke Henderson (2015 Cambia Portland Classic) and Laurel Kean (2000 State Farm LPGA Classic)
Noh would become the first 18-year-old to win since 2016, when Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson both won at age 18
Hannah Green would earn her second win of the 2019 LPGA Tour season, joining the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
Brooke Henderson would earn the 10th win of her LPGA Tour career
Brittany Altomare would become the sixth Rolex First-Time Winner of the 2019 LPGA Tour season
PLAYER NOTES
Rolex Rankings No. 297 Yealimi Noh (65-68-64)
- She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens, with 27 putts
- Noh is playing in the seventh LPGA Tour event of her career; her best finish is a tie for sixth at the 2019 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, where she was one stroke off the lead heading into the final round
- Noh turned professional in January 2019 after winning the 2018 Girl’s Junior PGA Championship, U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in consecutive weeks
- She earned a spot in the tournament via the Monday Qualifier; two Monday Qualifiers have won an LPGA Tour event – Brooke Henderson (2015 Cambia Portland LPGA Classic) and Laurel Kean (2000 State Farm LPGA Classic)
- Noh is playing as a non-Member of the LPGA Tour
Rolex Rankings No. 26 Hannah Green (64-63)
- She hit seven of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens, with 29 putts
- This is Green’s second season on the LPGA Tour; she has one victory at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
- This is Green’s 17th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she won the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and three other top-20 finishes
- She is competing in her second Cambia Portland Classic; she missed the cut in 2018
TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS
18 holes: 61 (-11), Sei Young Kim, second round, 2019
36 holes: 127 (-17), Hannah Green, 2019
54 holes: 197 (-19), Yealimi Noh, 2019
72 holes: 267 (-21), Brooke Henderson, 2015
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