INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Amelia Lewis had a decision to make this year.

She could either use the status she earned after the second reshuffle of the LPGA Priority List to compete in more Tour events, or she could stick it out on the Epson Tour for the rest of the 2024 season and try to finish in the top 15 of the Race for the Card, which would drastically improve her status next year.

For the first time in her career, Lewis elected to go with the latter, a decision that just might pay off at the conclusion of the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells this week. The 33-year-old is currently sitting in a tie for sixth through 54 holes in California and is projected to move up in the season-long point standings if she remains near the top of the leaderboard at Indian Wells Golf Resort.

Lewis kicked off a balmy week in the desert with a 3-under 68, making one bogey and four birdies on Thursday to sit in a tie for 12th early in the tournament. She backed that up with a 2-under 69, a round that saw Lewis record one bogey, two double bogeys and seven birdies, three of which came consecutively on holes two, three and four.

She then hit her stride on Moving Day at Indian Wells Golf Resort, carding a bogey-free, 5-under 66 to sit in a tie for sixth, two shots back of 54-hole leader Heather Lin with 18 holes to go at the Players Course.

“I’ve started really strong the last two days,” said Lewis. “I got it to 5-under yesterday and made a few bogeys coming in, so I'm glad I started strong again and held onto it. And I'm beating the heat. That's the biggest priority right now.”

After picking up two pars on her first two holes, Lewis birdied the par-4 3rd hole to get to 6-under for the tournament. She grabbed a pair of back-to-back birdies on the par-4 7th and par-4 8th holes to move to 8-under and turn in 32, making another birdie on 10 to climb to 9-under total.

Lewis’ last birdie of the round came on the par-4 13th hole, and she ultimately parred out the rest of the way to post a 66, her lowest 18-hole score on the Epson Tour since she carded a 66 in the first round of the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic back in May.

“I made a 60 footer on 10, so that was fun. I think that's one of the hardest holes on the course too, so that was nice,” said Lewis. “I feel very confident in my game. It's honestly going to be about getting rest right now because it's going to be a long, hot day tomorrow, as well.”

The Epson Tour Championship is Lewis’ 17th start of the 2024 Epson Tour season, and in her 16 previous events, she has earned three top-10 finishes, including a solo second that came at the Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship in July. She first joined the Epson Tour in 2009 and first became an LPGA Tour member in 2011.

Through three rounds in the desert, Lewis is currently projected to finish 20th in the Race for the Card, and the veteran knows that a win or a top-three finish could see her regain status on the LPGA Tour for the 2025 season, something that Lewis has not consistently had since 2018.

But Lewis isn’t letting herself think too far ahead at this point. She’s instead focused on the battle that lies ahead on Sunday at Indian Wells Golf Resort as she works to chase down her first career Epson Tour victory in the final round of the Epson Tour Championship.

“I’m just really grateful for the season because I've been through injuries in the past,” said Lewis. “So, no matter what, I'm just grateful. About what happens tomorrow, we'll see. I'm excited for the challenge. It's always fun to be near the lead, and we'll just see what happens.”

Amelia Lewis Looking for First Epson Tour Win on Sunday at Epson Tour Championship

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