01차세대 LPGA 스타들의 탄생과 메이저 무대 도전
미국여자프로골프(LPGA)의 2부 투어인 앱손 투어(Epson Tour)에서 치열한 경쟁을 이겨내고 2026시즌 LPGA 투어 정규 시드를 획득한 졸업생들이 마침내 공개됐다. 앱손 투어는 매년 꾸준한 성적을 거둔 상위권 선수들에게 최고 무대로 갈 수 있는 관문을 제공해 왔다.
이번 2026 앱손 투어 졸업생들은 한 시즌 동안 치열하게 펼쳐진 '레이스 포 더 카드(Race for the Card)' 경쟁에서 우수한 성적을 거두며 풀시드권을 쟁취했다. 각국을 대표하는 유망주들이 포함된 이번 졸업생 명단은 다음 시즌 LPGA 투어 판도에 새로운 활력을 불어넣을 것으로 보인다.
꿈에 그리던 LPGA 투어 합류를 확정한 선수들은 이제 정규 투어 적응을 위한 본격적인 준비 체제에 돌입한다. 차세대 골프 스타로 주목받는 이들이 2026시즌 LPGA 투어 무대에서 어떤 활약을 펼쳐줄지 팬들의 기대를 모으고 있다.
02Original (English) — LPGA
Carly Haines is a former collegiate golfer at the University of Louisville, where she earned a BSBA in Marketing and an MBA in Innovation. She currently serves as a Marketing and Partnerships Manager for the Epson Tour.
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — The Epson Tour annually awards LPGA Tour Membership to the top athletes in the Race for the Card rankings, and with the conclusion of the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells, the 2026 graduating class has been determined. For the third year, 15 athletes earned their cards based on a points ranking, rewarding the athletes who consistently proved their game to be LPGA-ready.
From 1999-2002, the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA handed out three cards. Then, from 2003-2007, that number increased to five before 10 cards started being distributed in 2008. In 2024, the Tour increased the number of cards to a record-breaking 15.
The athletes who finish in the top 10 of the Race for the Card will be seeded into Category 9 on the 2026 LPGA Tour Priority List, while those who finish 11-15 will be in Category 16. The category positions for those five Epson Tour graduates will alternate with LPGA Tour athletes who finish 101-125 in the Race to the CME Globe following the penultimate LPGA Tour event, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. The sequence will see the 101st player in the Race to the CME Globe listed first, then the 11th player in the Race for the Card listed second, and that sequence will continue accordingly.
Since the inaugural year, 237 LPGA Tour cards have been awarded to the top-ranked Epson Tour athletes, including this year’s graduating class.
1. Mirabel Ting, 20 (Miri, Malaysia) – 2,778.153 points
Earned 12 top-10 finishes in 2026, including two wins
Wins: Smoky Mountain Championship presented by Food City and Dream First Bank Charity Classic
Played collegiate golf at Augusta University (1 year) and Florida State University (2 years)
Seven-time collegiate winner while at FSU
Won the 2025 ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel
Two-time Arnold Palmer Cup participant (2024 and 2025)
Two-time Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant (T8 finish in 2024)
Made her professional debut at the 2025 The Amundi Evian Championship
Ting on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“I’m very excited to go up to the LPGA next year. It’s always been a dream for me, my sister, my dad and my grandfather, who isn’t here today. Getting there is one thing, and trying to stay there is another thing. I’m just really excited and can’t wait for next year.”
2. Lauren Olivares, 22 (Guanajuato, Mexico) – 2,280.442 points
Olivares will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Earned 12 top-10 finishes in 2026, including one win
Win: Great Lakes Championship at the Highlands
Played collegiate golf at North Carolina State University
2023 and 2024 Briar’s Creek Invitational Co-Champion
NCAA record holder for lowest round (60, -11) at Cougar Classic (9/11/23)
First woman in collegiate golf to shoot a 60 in a round
Program single season stroke average record (72.18 in 2023-24)
2024-25 All-ACC honors, North Carolina State University’s first All-ACC women’s golfer
Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant
Olivares on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“I don't think it's fully hit me yet, it still doesn't quite feel real that I'm going to be playing next year. I'm still getting used to being out here on the Epson Tour, so being a rookie again next year feels kind of wild, because I was already comfortable here.”
3. Kaleiya Romero, 24 (San Jose, California) –2,140.676 points
Romero will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Earned 10 top-10 finishes in 2026, including one win
Win: Island Resort Championship presented by Delta County Chamber
Played collegiate golf at Pepperdine University
Four-time All-West Coast Conference First Team selection
10 top-10 finishes and 13 top-20 finishes
Four-time WGCA All-American Scholar honors
Former Graduate Assistant at the University of Oregon
Her sister, Kiara, reached the 20-point threshold to become eligible for LPGA Tour status via the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) in August 2026
Romero on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It’s super exciting, especially because my sister got (her card) at the same time, and we’re going to be able to experience our rookie year together, so it’s super awesome. I know we both had different journeys, but we got there at the same time, so it’s super fun. To come out after a year off, and kind of my first year back playing full-time, to get my card right away is super cool and gives me confidence that my game is in a good spot and that I can do well next year.”
4. Annabelle Pancake-Webb, 24 (Zionsville, Indiana) – 1,760.493 points
Pancake-Webb will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Earned eight top-10 finishes in 2026, including one win
Recorded a season-best T5 at the Epson Tour Championship
Played collegiate golf at Clemson University
2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant
Four-time first-team All-State in Indiana
Finished in the top-10 of the Indiana State Tournament four consecutive years
Pancake-Webb on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It feels awesome. I honestly just have a heart of gratitude. I just feel so grateful that I’ve been able to play this year and play well. That’s always great. But I give all the glory to God and am just thankful that He gives me this opportunity. I’m so excited for next year.”
5. Carla Bernat Escuder, 23 (Castellon, Spain) – 1,626.300 points
Bernat Escuder will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Earned five top-10 finishes in 2026, including one win
Played collegiate golf at Kansas State University
2024-25 Big 12 Women’s Golfer of the Year
Set program record for career scoring average (70.44)
2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion
Member of the Spanish Girls National Team
Competed in the 2025 Chevron Championship (cut), U.S. Women’s Open (cut), The Amundi Evian Championship (cut), and the AIG Women’s Open (T58), as an amateur
Bernat Escuder on what she’s most excited for on the LPGA in 2027:
“I just want to keep getting better and keep growing as a player. Hopefully one day, I don’t know if next year, hopefully get a win.”
6. Cholcheva Wongras, 19 (Chiangmai, Thailand) – 1,507.295 points
Wongras will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Win: Reliance Matrix Championship presented by Epson
Competed on the TLPGA and Thai LPGA in 2025
Won the SINGHA-NSDF Pattaya Ladies Open (Thai LPGA)
Finished T64 at the 2025 Maybank Championship (LPGA Tour)
Wongras on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It feels amazing. But coming (to the Epson Tour) has been a goal. I know that every girl out here is pursuing the same dream to be on the LPGA, so it was nice to hear that I’ll be on the LPGA Tour next year. But I’m also so grateful to be in this environment, where every girl is out here pursuing the same dream. I know everyone is working very hard, and so am I, so it’s very nice to see my name (in the top 10).”
7. Liqi Zeng, 20 (Nanchang, People’s Republic of China) – 1,409.405 points
Liqi Zeng will be returning to the LPGA Tour in 2027
Recorded three top-10 finishes, including a T2 at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout
Two top-20 finishes with a season best result of T17 at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G
Through Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Saaman, Zeng petitioned for and was granted approval for a waiver of the minimum age requirement for participation in LPGA Q-Series, where she earned LPGA status and will become a 2024 Tour rookie at 17 years old
2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant
Zeng on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“I’m very happy. I enjoyed this season and I’ll try to do my best next season.”
8. Amari Avery, 22 (Riverside, California) – 1,403.161 points
Amari Avery will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Two top-10 finishes, including a season-best T7 result at the Dream First Bank Charity Classic
Played collegiate golf at the University of Southern California
Played in the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur
2022 Team USA Curtis Cup winning team member
Two-time Arnold Palmer Cup participant, Team USA
Avery on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It feels so good. I honestly haven’t thought about it yet. I think it’s tough, because when I won in Beaumont and I played really well in Scottsdale, I was kind of like, ‘my year’s looking good, I guess just one more tournament.’ I felt like I was saying that for a year, ‘just one more good tournament, and I’ll be locked and ready.’ It feels even better to cap off the year with two good weeks and take it to the Tour.”
9. Mariel Galdiano, 28 (Honolulu, Hawaii) – 1,318.045 points
Mariel Galdiano will be returning to the LPGA Tour in 2027
Recorded a season-best T20 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic
Finished T13 at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn Membership for the 2025 season
Represented the United States twice in the Arnold Palmer Cup (2018 and 2019)
Represented the United States at the 2016 and 2018 Curtis Cups
Played in three U.S. Women’s Opens prior to entering college
Member of the 2015 Junior U.S. Solheim Cup Team
Galdiano on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“I’m so excited. Last year was my rookie year on the LPGA, and it was tough. It was a learning process, but I grinded my way through this year. I’m feeling confident and ready to go for next year.”
10. Reagan Zibilski, 22 (Springfield, Missouri) – 1,142.583 points
Zibilski will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Earned one win and three additional top-10 finishes in 2026
Earned Epson Tour Membership through the inaugural class of LPGA Collegiate Advancement Pathway (LCAP)
Competed collegiately at the University of Arkansas
2026 SEC Brad Davis Community Service Team
Two-time WGCA All-American Honorable Mention (2025, 2026)
2025 Golfweek All-American Honorable Mention
Two-time All-SEC Second Team (2025, 2026)
Two-time SEC Community Service Team (2024, 2026)
2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) participant
Zibilski on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It means everything. I don’t know if I have the words to explain, or it hasn’t hit my brain yet, but the only words I can think of are ‘so grateful.’”
11. Rachel Kuehn, 25 (Asheville, North Carolina) – 1,079.231 points
Rachel Kuehn will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Recorded three top-10 finishes, including a season-best T2 at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout
Played collegiate golf at Wake Forest University
Two-time ACC Women’s Golfer of the Year (2022, 2023)
2023 ACC Women’s Golf Scholar Athlete of the Year
2018 North Carolina Women’s Amateur Champions
Kuehn on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“This means everything. It’s what I’ve worked my entire life for. All the hours that nobody sees, and the decisions you make when no one’s watching have led me to here. I’m really excited. I want to compete against the best of the best, and I can’t wait for next year.”
12. Megha Ganne, 22 (Holmdel, New Jersey) – 1,065.100 points
Megha Ganne will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Played collegiate golf at Stanford University
2024 and 2026 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Golf Team Champion
Three Collegiate wins: (2025 Stanford Intercollegiate, 2024 Nanea Invitational, 2023 Carmel Cup)
Three-time WGCA All-American Scholar (2023-25)
Two-time member of Curtis Cup Team (2021, 2022)
Earned Low Amateur honors at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open
Represented the United State on the 2021 Junior Ryer Cup and Junior Solheim Cup Teams
Four-time Drive, Chip & Putt National finalist
Ganne on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It means everything. It feels kind of surreal. It’s a childhood dream and a lifelong goal for as long as I’ve been playing golf, so just the opportunity to be playing against the best is where you want to be, and there’s no better place to do that than the LPGA Tour. This is super, super exciting, and I can’t wait to take on next year.”
13. Lauryn Nguyen, 23 (Seattle, Washington) – 1,029.605 points
Lauryn Nguyen will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Win: FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship
Played collegiate golf at Northwestern University
Three-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree
2025 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Golf Team Champion
Three-time High School Metro League Champion
Named 2020 Washington Golf Junior Girl Player of the Year
Two-time WJGA State Championship winner (2017, 2020)
2019 USGA/AJGA President’s Leadership Award Recipient
Nguyen on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It means a lot. This has been a goal for everyone. In junior golf, it’s always a dream to play on the LPGA Tour, and I don’t think people understand how long the process can be. It’s super, super special.”
14. Megan Schofill, 25 (Monticello, Florida) – 970.350 points
Schofill will be an LPGA Tour rookie in 2027
Earned three top-10 finishes in 2026, including one win
Recorded three top-10 finishes including a season-best runner-up result at the IOA Championship
Played collegiate golf at Auburn University
Five-time Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant
Three-time Arnold Palmer Cup Team USA selection
Schofill on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It means a lot. Obviously, it’s a very stressful week, stressful year. There’s a lot of great talent out here, so just for me to be able to do it, kind of proves that all the work and all the long days, being away from family, really has paid off.”
15. Samantha Wagner, 29 (Windermere, Florida) – 942.609 points
Samantha Wagner will be returning to the LPGA Tour in 2027
Wins: 2025 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship
Finished T6 at the 2022 LPGA Q-Series and earned LPGA membership for the 2023 season
Played collegiate golf at the University of Florida
Two-time SEC Women’s Freshman Golfer of the Week
Wagner on earning 2027 LPGA Tour Membership:
“It is incredible. I’ve had a lot of close calls since I first lost my card, and last year was really rough on me. I had a couple of things happen right after I got bumped out, and I’m back here a year later with a lot more happiness in my life off the golf course and a lot of other things settled in my life. I think it was the right time, and everything worked out exactly as it should.”
*Photos of the top 15 will be available here Sunday evening*