Nelly Korda Earned Medalist Honors at Stage II of LPGA Qualifying Tournament

Stage II of LPGA Qualifying Tournament
Plantation Golf and Country Club – Panther and Bobcat Courses
Venice, Florida
October 25, 2015
Final Round News and Notes

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VENICE, Fla., October 25, 2015 – Nelly Korda (Bradenton, Fla.) earned medalist honors at Stage II of LPGA Qualifying School as 85 players made the cut and will advance to Final Stage.

“It definitely feels good,” Korda said. “I’ve just won two tournaments in a row so I’m feeling pretty good about my game. It’s all positives from here.”

Korda fired a final round 69 on the Bobcat Course to post 4-under for the week and finish a stoke clear of Grace Na (Alameda, Calif.).

“I was definitely consistent,” Na said. “Overall, my game feels really good heading into Third Stage so I’ll leave here with a smile.”

The win at Stage II will mark the end of the qualifying road for Korda as prior to the start of Stage I, the 17-year-old Korda petitioned the LPGA for a waiver to go to Q-School in a bid to play the Epson Tour next year. She turns 18 in July of 2016. The LPGA has a rule requiring members be 18 years old.

“I’m only allowed to do two stages so this is my final stage and I’m able to get my full card for Epson,” Korda explained earlier in the week. “It’s more options. It’s a pretty good option. The girls out there play so well. I have good options, I’m either going to go to college or try the Epson Tour.”

While Korda’s game is undeniably clicking on all cylinders after her win this week and an impressive 11-shot victory at the AJGA Ping Invitational earlier this month, she is looking forward to stepping away for a bit to spend some time with her family.

“I am flying on Tuesday to see my grandparents,” Korda said with a smile. “I haven’t seen them in a year so I’m flying to Prauge. I’ll have some fun there with them and enjoy taking a little break from golf.”

The 85 players who made the cut of 15-over, 303, will advance to the Final Stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament which will be held at LPGA International Golf Course – Jones & Hill Courses from Wednesday, December 2 through Sunday, December 6.

Players that finish in the top-20 at Final Stage will receive category 12 status on the priority list for the LPGA Tour while players that finish 21 through 45 will receive category 17 status (conditional).  

Players who missed the cut this week and completed 72 holes will automatically receive Epson Tour status for 2016.   

SOLID PRO DEBUT FOR HALEY DAVIES: Haley Davies (Ferndown, United Kingdom) turned professional before the start of Stage II and was able to finish in a tie for 12th to easily move on to the Final Stage.

“I did what I’ve needed to do so it’s so far so good at the moment,” Davies said. “I’m excited to see where things will go from here.”

Davies ended her time in Venice with a 1-under 71 on the Bobcat Course, her low round of the week.

“It was a steady week,” Davies said. “I did what I needed to do out there. I’m really happy with my week and ready for the next stage. I’m excited.”

Despite turning pro, Davies will head back to Baylor to finish up classes and work on her game before Stage III.

“I’m still in school so I’ll have to focus on my schoolwork a bit but I’m going to try and get my game in the best shape for Stage III,” Davies said. “Just do what I’ve been doing and keep practicing on the things I need to work on. I’ll go back and look at my stats from this week and see where my game is at.”

BRUMBAUGH ONTO STAGE III FOR FIRST TIME IN HER CAREER: Jennifer Brumbaugh (Scotts Valley, Calif.) finished in a tie for seventh to easily advance out of Second Stage.

“It feels pretty awesome,” Brumbaugh said. “This is my first time making it to Stage Three in my third year so I’m super stoked about it. Couldn’t have finished any better finishing under par on the last day was pretty awesome.”

Brumbaugh shot rounds of 70 and 69 on the weekend to finish her week at 3-over, 291.

“Confidence,” Brumbaugh said when asked about the key to her strong play. “It was my first time having a professional caddie, I had Benito Olguin out here, and gosh he just reinforced all of my confidence.”

With her renewed confidence the San Jose Stage grad is looking forward to heading to Dayton Beach for Stage III.

“Just keep doing what I’m doing, Keep everything the way it is because everything was great this week. I’m just going to keep working on it no slacking off. Maybe one day off or whatever but just keep working hard at it.”