Yu-Sang Hou and her younger sister, Vivian, have been looking forward to this day their entire lives.
They are now members of the LPGA.
Yu-Sang, a fifth-year senior at Arizona, and Vivian, a junior, both finished in the top 45 and ties at the two-week Q-Series in Dothan, Alabama, to earn their LPGA membership for next season.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Yu-Sang remarked after finishing T-30, three shots behind Vivian, who finished T-20. “We both wanted to be on the LPGA Tour when we were small — we were just talking about it.” It all started with a dream, then a goal, and now we’ve achieved our objective. It’s fantastic.”
Seven current college golfers qualified for the 108-hole qualifying competition, including Arkansas senior Brooke Matthews (T-30) and Duke senior Gina Kim (T-35). Beatrice Wallin of Florida State and Karen Fredgaard of Houston, who tied for 60th and 70th, respectively, have earned Symetra Tour credentials, as does Alabama’s Polly Mack, who missed the 72-hole cut.
All of those players must now choose between becoming pro and forfeiting their remaining collegiate eligibility, or deferring their status until after the spring semester.
The Hous, who are both ranked in the top 30 amateur golfers in the world, appear to have made their decision.
“I believe it’s today,” Vivian responded when asked when she’ll go pro. “Right away,” says the narrator.
“We’re definitely leaning toward turning pro,” Yu-Sang added, “and then it’s been five years in college [for me], so I had a really amazing experience there, and I feel like it’s just time.”
Matthews and Kim, who are placed 13th and ninth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, both informed reporters on Sunday that they would make their final selections after they returned home. “Either way, I’m in a terrific position,” Matthews added, while Kim claimed she would make a decision “very soon.”
Pauline Roussin-Bouchard of France, who left South Carolina after two seasons to pursue a pro career, led for practically the entire tournament at Q-Series, but a final-round even-par 72 left her alone in second place at 32 under, a stroke behind medallist Na Rin An of South Korea. An edged Roussin-Bouchard with a final-round 66.
“The last two weeks have been extremely demanding,” An added, “but I’m glad to have finished on a high note.” “When I return home, I’ll have to stay in quarantine for ten days.” Despite the fact that it is not something I would want to do, I believe I am delighted to have those ten days off.”
Other notables who have earned LPGA cards include Thailand’s Atthaya Thitkul, who won the LET money list last season; Bianca Pagdanganan, a member of Arizona’s 2018 NCAA championship team who has kept her card after being an LPGA rookie for the past two years; Frida Kinhult, a former standout at Florida State who had boyfriend Vincent Norrman on the bag after Norrman recently earned his Korn Ferry Tour card at Q-School; recent
If Vivian Hou’s aspirations are any indicator, this is a talented crop with great ambitions.
“I’d say attempt to win rookie of the year; that’s my main goal,” she stated. “And then, of course, winning a tournament and having my sister and I both play well the first year.”
