Two Golfers Share Lead at 6-Under While Six Japanese Players Struggle in LPGA Q-Series Second Stage Opener
One hundred ninety-eight golfers teed off at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Florida for the opening round of the LPGA Tour’s Q-Series second stage, where Brooke Bierman and Camille Boyd grabbed an early share of the lead at 6-under par, according to ALBA Net. The field is competing across two courses—the Bobcat Course and the Panther Course—to secure one of the 55 available spots in next month’s final qualifying stage.
Originally scheduled to begin on October 13, tournament officials pushed the second stage back by three weeks due to severe weather and poor course conditions. The tournament spans 72 holes of stroke play, with the top 55 players and ties advancing to the final qualifying event scheduled for November 19 through November 23 at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Alabama. Players who finish in the top 25 and ties at the final stage earn conditional LPGA Tour membership under category 15 for the upcoming season.
Tough Openings for Japanese Contenders in Florida
Rina Tatematsu posted the lowest score among the group, carding a 2-over par round on the Bobcat Course to tie for 100th place. Tatematsu recorded three birdies against five bogeys during her opening round.
Miyu Abe, a two-time winner on the JLPGA Tour, struggled on the Panther Course with a 3-over par 75 that included two birdies, three bogeys, and a double bogey, leaving her tied for 112th place. Hinako Sakurai, who competed on the U.S. LPGA Tour this season, also played the Panther Course and finished at 4-over par 76 after making two birdies and six bogeys, putting her in a tie for 140th place.
Among the remaining Japanese competitors, Ayaka Ito shot 5-over par on the Panther Course to tie for 151st place. Ayumi Nishizawa finished the day at 7-over par on the Bobcat Course, landing in 176th place, while Naruka Miyata carded a 12-over par round on the Bobcat Course to sit in 195th place.
What Happens Next at Magnolia Grove
The 72-hole stroke play tournament continues through the week at the Plantation Golf and Country Club layouts in Florida. Players must climb the leaderboard over the remaining three rounds to break into the top 55 and secure a trip to Alabama. The final qualifying stage runs from November 19 to November 23 at Magnolia Grove Golf Club, where twenty-five players and ties will earn their tour cards for next season.
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