The first 18 holes of the Qualifying Stage of LPGA Q-Series has come to a close, with the field of 194 players battling through unusual windy conditions in the Sunshine State. The current number to reach to be inside the top 35 after 18 holes of play is 1-under, with notable names such as Matilda Castren, Ilhee Lee, Christina Kim and Kelly Tan all on the outside looking in.

Roberta Liti leads the way early at Qualifying, carding a bogey-free, 6-under 66 on the Bobcat Course at Plantation Golf and Country Club. Liti went on a tear as she made the turn, rolling in back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 to move to 3-under on the round before heading to her second nine. She started her last nine holes with three pars before adding three more circles to her scorecard to ultimately post at 6-under and lead the rest of the field by one shot.

The Italian is finishing up her season on the LPGA Tour after earning status by finishing eighth in the 2023 Race for the Card on the Epson Tour. The 2024 season was her first full season exclusively competing on the LPGA Tour, as Liti held dual Epson and LPGA Tour status in 2023. She made seven cuts in 17 starts this year and entered this week ranked 155th in the Race to CME Globe, putting her back in the Qualifying Stage for the first time since 2022.

“The last time I played here was 2022. So, two years ago, and on the last day on Bobcat, it was extremely windy, crazy conditions. That definitely helped experience-wise,” said Liti. “I'm going to Hawaii in a week or so, and I think a good week here would still be a great confidence boost to finish the season on the LPGA.”

New to the professional stage, Sara Byrne also opened the tournament strong, carding a 5-under 67 that consisted of six birdies and a lone bogey that came on her first hole of the day. The Irishwoman turned professional in September of 2024, just one month after her T35 finish at the Pre-Qualifying Stage of LPGA Q-Series, a result that led her to Venice, Fla., this week.

While Byrne has felt the pressure and nerves of LPGA Q-Series before, it didn’t excuse the mishap on the first hole in her eyes. Despite the shaky start, the University of Miami alum kept her cool, remaining patient and trusting her game.

“I had a little bit of a shaky start, bogeyed one, and I really don't like bogeying the first hole because I feel you're on the back foot already,” said Byrne. “But honestly, I stayed really, really patient out there. I knew my game is in a good spot right now. I knew it was getting blowy out there too, so again, I wasn't trying to take too many shots on.

“It was just that when I had a good opportunity and a good club, I can be a little bit more aggressive in that sense, but I had a really good few putts out there. My iron shots are pretty dialed in, and I have a really good strategy for out here, and I had a good execution today.”

Round two will begin at 7:50 a.m. local time with the field being repaired in their wave and based on score. There is no cut at the Qualifying Stage of LPGA Q-Series, with all players set to compete for 72 holes.

2023 Epson Tour Grad Roberta Liti Leads Qualifying After Round One

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