Bianca Pagdanganan experienced a setback in Texas when she missed her first LPGA Tour win. However, she did achieve an impressive feat by jumping 73 spots in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings to reach No. 160, which is her highest rank since June 2021. Despite facing limited opportunities to compete on the LPGA Tour and losing full playing status for the 2023 season, Pagdanganan has been utilizing every chance she gets to steadily work towards reclaiming her position in the world rankings and the Race to the CME Globe.
While her rise in the Rolex Rankings is notable, Pagdanganan’s progress in the Race to the CME Globe standings carries even greater significance for the 2024 season. Finishing in the top 80 and ties on the previous season-ending Points List will grant players full status for the following season. In the past two weeks, the Filipino golfer secured back-to-back top-10 finishes, tying for second at The Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America and tying for third at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. These finishes propelled her from No. 129 to No. 48 in the standings, comfortably placing her within the top-80 cutoff and the top-60 cutoff for the CME Group Tour Championship.
When asked if she considers the Race to CME Globe standings before each tournament, the 25-year-old admitted that while she recognizes the need to improve her status, she tends to focus on the smaller details, hoping that things will eventually fall into place.
“It’s quite amusing because it all began with conditional status,” she reflected after her T2 finish in Texas. “I simply needed to regain my spot in the reshuffle, gradually elevating my position. It’s a step-by-step process for me. After last week’s performance, I realized that I was in a good position. My goal was to remain within the top 100. I honestly don’t know my current ranking, but I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet.”
Sarah Kemp Makes a 17-Spot Jump
Sarah Kemp also made impressive strides in the Rolex Rankings, climbing 17 spots to reach No. 121 in the world. Her solo fourth-place finish at Old American Golf Club was her third top-10 finish of the season. This result matches her second-best performance on Tour, achieved at the Pure Silk Championship in 2021.
Similar to Pagdanganan, Kemp’s progress in the Rolex Rankings is commendable, but her advancement in the Race to the CME Globe standings carries more significance. The Australian golfer jumped from No. 72 to No. 47 in the standings, securing her spot in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. Throughout this season, Kemp, an experienced LPGA Tour veteran, has made the cut in 13 out of 20 events, earning two additional top-10 finishes alongside her top-five result in Texas. She tied for ninth at the FREED GROUP Women’s Scottish Open presented by Trust Golf and finished in eighth place at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, partnering with Epson Tour winner Alena Sharp.
Kemp has been competing on the LPGA Tour since 2008 and has accumulated 12 career top-10 finishes and over $1.6 million in earnings. Her success last week could potentially be a breakthrough moment that propels her to even greater heights, possibly leading to a victory in the near future.
Ten Epson Tour Players Earn LPGA Tour Cards for 2024
The Epson Tour awarded ten LPGA Tour cards for the 2024 season following the Epson Tour Championship at LPGA International’s Jones Course. The top ten finishers in the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card will have full-time playing privileges on the LPGA Tour next year, occupying category nine on the LPGA priority list.
The most significant moves on Sunday came from Auston Kim and Kristen Gillman. Kim finished at 23-under to secure her first professional victory, propelling her from No. 15 to No. 3 on the final money list and earning her LPGA Tour opportunity. Three weeks ago, Kristen Gillman was ranked 17th in the Race for the Card. However, she recorded three consecutive top-10 finishes in the final three events of the 2023 Epson Tour season, regaining her LPGA Tour status. Gillman performed exceptionally well, scoring 35-under over the last 10 rounds. Her performances included a tie for fourth at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, a tie for third at the Tuscaloosa Toyota Classic, and a tie for fourth at the Epson Tour Championship.
In addition to Kim and Gillman, eight other players secured their LPGA Tour cards for the 2024 season: Gabriela Ruffels, Natasha Andrea Oon, Jiwon Jeon, Minji Kang, Agathe Laisne, Jenny Coleman, Roberta Liti, and Isabella Fierro.
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.
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