Sitting in fourth place in her LPGA debut, Charlotte Thomas would appear to be in unfamiliar territory.
“I’m sure I’m going to be a little nervous the next couple days, but it’s just exciting to be here and just remembering that,” the rookie explained after her second round of 4-under.
But with her brother on the bag in her third professional appearance at the ISPS Handa Vic Open, she’s in as familiar a place as can be as she starts her LPGA career.
The University of Washington alum turned professional in 2016, joining the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) along with the Epson Tour in 2017. Her best career finish on the ALPG came at the 13th Beach Golf Links in the 2017 Vic Open. She carded a 6-under to finish T16, never posting a round over par.
Shortly before joining the Epson Tour, she sat down for an interview with her international IB school , United World College of South East Asia, a high school level program based in Singapore. She discussed that she aimed to make the LPGA in three or four years. She set the bar low for herself, as she qualified after two years on Epson after finishing eighth on the money list in 2018. While never holding a trophy, she carded 6 top 10s.
Her brother was not with her on the Epson Tour journey. It’s only his second time on the bag with her, the first being a one-day event a few weeks ago.
What he may lack in caddie expertise, he more than makes up for with kinship. Thomas credits her brother for keeping her loose.
“I’m familiar with the golf course and I’ve got my family out here, so it’s just a good vibe for me this week.”
The Rolex Rankings No. 450 entering the week, she may yet again surpass the bar she set for herself, in position with 36 holes remaining to make a charge and become the third LPGA rookie to win her debut event in LPGA history.
She is currently four shots off the lead, teeing off at 1:20 P.M. local time on moving day.
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