Rising Kiwi golf sensation Amelia Garvey is hoping she can join fellow New Zealander Lydia Ko as a pro on the LPGA Tour.
The 21-year-old University of Southern California graduate is gearing up to attack the second stage of the LPGA’s Q-School after passing through Stage One with flying colours.
Garvey was one of 95 out of 300-plus players to advance to the second stage after finishing in a tie for fourth in Stage One.
If Garvey can make it all the way through Stage Two and finish in the top 40 golfers in the Stage Three tournament, she’ll receive her pro card.
The young star is just taking it one step at a time and treating it like any other tournament.
“It’s a bit hectic obviously it’s something I’ve looked towards my whole life is turning pro,” Garvey told Mornings with Ian Smith on SENZ.
“Now I’m getting the opportunity to make my mark out here and try to get on tour, it’s definitely stressful but exciting at the same time.
“You just try and treat it like any other tournament at the end of the day but you know that it’s kind of all or nothing, it’s pretty cutthroat out there.
“It’s the one and only chance you get the whole year to get onto the tour. I’m just going to try and play the next stage like any other tournament like I did with the first stage which worked out pretty well.”
Garvey has already had a taste of the pro tour after competing at both the 2020 and 2021 US Open, an experience that she believes will help her in the long run.
“Just to qualify and get the chance to be around the world’s best on some of the toughest courses that they play in a year is nothing but great tools to put in your tool kit,” Garvey said.
“When you tee up at a US Open course you’ve got to be there mentally, physically, every part of your game needs to be firing.
“It’s been cool to see how my game shapes up against some of the worlds best and I’ve taken some really positive things from playing these (tournaments) and some great learnings as well.
“I can definitely tell that my game has the potential to win one of these events one day but I know there is a bit of work to put in before then.”
Garvey is set to contest Stage Two of the LPGA’s Q-School in Florida in October.