The Epson Tour is nearing the end of the season, with only six tournaments left to play. Athletes will tee it up in Pendleton, Oregon, this week at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic before heading back east to play four of the remaining five events in Indiana, Alabama and Arkansas. The third playing of the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic will be played from August 16-18th at Wildhorse Golf Course. Here are five things to know about the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic:
The Top 125 in the Race for the Card After This Week Will Earn a Spot in Qualifying for Q-Series
When the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic concludes, the players sitting outside the top 125 in the Race for the Card will have to head back to Pre-Qualifying in Q-Series to maintain their Epson Tour status for 2025. Several players in the field could work their way inside the top 125 this week with a strong finish or maintain their spot just inside the cut line. Some names looking to avoid Pre-Qualifying next week include Anne Yu (No. 126), Samantha Vodry (No. 128), and Samantha Troyanovich (No. 149).
Six Former University of Oregon Ducks Are Set to Compete
Out of the 144-player field, six athletes have spent time as members of the University of Oregon Women’s Golf team. Briana Chacon, Heather Lin, Cynthia Lu, Minori Nagano, Alexis Phadungmartvorakul, and Kathleen Scavo will be the players representing the Ducks in Pendleton, Ore., this week. Chacon and Scavo have already secured a victory on the Epson Tour this season, marking their first wins. A second win for either former Duck could move them close to the points needed to secure their LPGA Tour card for the 2025 season.
2022 Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic Champion Daniela Iacobelli is in the Field
The 2022 Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic winner, Daniela Iacobelli, will be in search of her second win at Wildhorse Golf Course this week. The now five-time Epson Tour winner added another victory just a month ago at the Hartford Healthcare Women’s Championship to move her into the top 5 in the Race for the Card. Iacobelli also holds the tournament scoring record at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic, finishing 18-under for 54 holes in 2022.
Who Will be the First to Two Wins in 2024?
The chance of becoming the first athlete to get their second win in 2024 is on the line for 13 athletes, all 2024 champions so far, this week. Each tournament leading up to the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic has seen a different champion, with seven countries represented among those winners. With only six tournaments left, every point counts in the Race for the Card, and another win could put each of the 13 athletes closer to securing their LPGA Tour card.
Anyone’s Season Could Change with a Win
Another 500 points are on the line for this week’s winner, which could change any athlete’s season. Race for the Card points are becoming more crucial as the total points left for the season gets lower. In the current standings, Ana Belac has 676.987 points and ranks 15th. Based on that, someone with zero points could win and still have a chance at earning a spot in the top 15 during the final five tournaments.