At the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, 2025 Epson Tour graduate Sophia Schubert has played her way into contention with quiet confidence. After losing her LPGA card following the 2024 season, her performance through the opening 36 holes signals she is more than ready to reclaim her place among the world’s elite.

The Tennessee native opened her tournament in Phoenix, Ariz., on Thursday with a stellar 6-under 66, immediately placing herself among a crowded leaderboard. But despite carding seven birdies and a lone bogey, she still found herself six shots off the lead, following Lydia Ko’s impressive 12-under 60.

Friday brought more of the same consistency. Schubert put together another low round of 4-under 68, consisting of four birdies, two bogeys, and an eagle on the par-5 2nd. Continuing her momentum from Thursday, Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 2 Nelly Korda put up an impressive round of 7-under 65. As they head into the weekend, Schubert sits at 10-under par, six shots back of Korda’s 16-under lead.

“I feel really good. I love playing in Arizona,” said Schubert following her second round. “Coming into this during the practice round, I knew scores would probably be pretty low. I knew it was up to me to make a lot putts.”

Schubert is no stranger to being in contention on the biggest stage in women’s golf, with her best career finish being a runner-up performance at the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship. Ultimately, the 30-year-old found herself back on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA in 2025, but made the most of the situation, earning six top10 results. A fourth-place finish in the season-long Race for the Card made her stint on the Epson Tour short, re-earning her LPGA Tour card in just one season.

“I missed the LPGA,” said Schubert. “Being on the Epson Tour, it was great; I needed that for my own game. But I missed being out here. And making that first cut is always the most difficult, so really happy with it.”

Having already played on the Epson Tour, first graduating in 2021 prior to her LPGA success, Schubert knew that the Epson Tour was competitive. But with rising talent turning professional and using the Official Qualifying Tour as their springboard, it wasn’t going to be easy for the former University of Texas Longhorn to fast-track her return to the LPGA.

And while a successful season anywhere boosts confidence, Schubert felt more prepared than ever to go toe-to-toe with the best players in the world.

“The competition on both the Epson Tour and the LPGA is just tough. Epson Tour is tough,” said Schubert. “Everyone is out there grinding, and everyone wants the same thing. I really think it prepared me to come back out here, play against best in the world, and just see where I'm at the first couple tournaments.”

Schubert tees off No. 1 of Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail Course at 12:45 p.m. local time on Saturday. Fans can follow her Moving Day round on lpga.com, as well as catch her live from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Golf Channel Digital and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Golf Channel Live.

Epson Tour Graduate Sophia Schubert Goes Low at Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass

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