Points-based system creates new path to LPGA Tour Membership for eligible women amateur athletes

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Nov. 20, 2024 – The LPGA Tour announced today the launch of the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP), a program providing top amateur female golfers a new path to LPGA Tour Membership starting in 2025. Through LEAP, female amateurs who accumulate a minimum of 20 points within the set criteria framework in the current year and the previous three calendar years will earn exempt Priority List status on the LPGA Tour, provided they also meet all LPGA Tour Membership requirements.

“LEAP represents an important next step in expanding global pathways to the LPGA Tour for the world’s top amateur athletes,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “LEAP aims to identify and reward the most elite amateurs from all backgrounds. Through extensive research and analysis, we have identified achievements that indicate future success on the LPGA Tour and have built a point system that will provide top athletes worldwide with a streamlined opportunity to pursue their dreams and compete at the highest level.

Qualified amateurs turning professional through this program that earn their 20th point prior to July 1 of the current year have three options:

Accept LPGA Membership before July 1 of the current year, and gain eligibility for the remainder of the current LPGA season only
Defer LPGA Membership until on or after July 1 of the current year, and gain eligibility for the remainder of the current and the following LPGA season
Defer LPGA Membership until the following season, and gain eligibility for the following LPGA season only

Qualified amateurs turning professional through this program that earn their 20th point on or after July 1 of the current year have two options:

Accept LPGA Membership for the remainder of the current LPGA season and the following LPGA season
Defer LPGA Membership until the following season, and gain eligibility for the following LPGA season only

If multiple players meet the 20-point threshold within the same year, the player who reaches it first will have higher Priority List placement.

Points Criteria for LEAP:

1. World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) – Points awarded based on the highest achieved career WAGR ranking, awarded only once.

3 points: WAGR #1 Ranking
2 points: WAGR #2 or #3 Ranking
1 point: WAGR #4 or #5 Ranking

2. LPGA Tournament Participation – No limit on points awarded in this category.

2 points: Top 25 (and ties) at an LPGA Major Championship
2 points: Top 10 (and ties) at an Official LPGA Tournament (non-major)
1 point: Made Cut at an LPGA Major Championship
1 point: Top 40 (and ties) at an Official LPGA Tournament (non-major)

3. Amateur Championships – No limit on points awarded in this category.

2 points: the Champion of each of the following:
- U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship
- The Women’s Amateur Championship
- European Ladies Amateur Championship
- Augusta National Women’s Amateur
- World Amateur Team (Individual Champion)
- Division 1 NCAA Championship (Individual Champion)
1 point: the Champion of each of the following:
- U.S. Girls Junior Championship
- Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship
- Women’s Amateur Latin America

4. Awards – No limit on points awarded in this category.

4 points: the McCormack Medal winner
2 points: the ANNIKA Award winner
2 points: the Women’s Golf Coaches Association Player of the Year
1 point: the AJGA Player of the Year
1 point: Division I Inkster Award Winner

5. Teams - No limit on points awarded in this category.

2 points: each Amateur Player competing as an official member of a Curtis Cup team
1 point: each Amateur Player competing as an official member of the Arnold Palmer Cup team

LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) Set to Begin in 2025

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