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LPGA TOUR

“ But I went there with a purpose and everything came together ,” added Coughlin , who tied for seventh at 6-under 354 in the 90-hole “ Q-school . I ’ m just excited and thankful .”

With University of Virginia coach Kim Lewellen as her caddie for the week at LPGA International in Daytona Beach , Fla ., Coughlin didn ’ t just show up for the annual stressfest — she contended . The 2016 ACC Player of the Year was 9 under par in her final 36 holes , posting a 6-under 66 in her fourth round .

“ It almost felt like I couldn ’ t miss that day ,” she said . “ Everything just seemed to want to go into the hole .”

But it wasn ’ t that way for most of 2017 . After earning her undergraduate degree in psychology in 2016 , and completing her final year of eligibility on the Virginia women ’ s golf team that spring — earning her master ’ s degree in intercollegiate athletic administration — Coughlin found the adjustment difficult as a full-time touring pro on the Symetra Tour .

She made six cuts in 13 tournaments , posting a season-best tie for 16th . By early September , Coughlin “ hit a wall ” and took six weeks off from competition . She even wondered if playing professionally was what she wanted to be doing .

“ I talked to my parents about maybe getting a job and not playing anymore ,” she said . “ And I talked to the [ UVA ] football office , where I interned for my master ’ s degree , as well as to coach Kim . Kim told me [ former Virginia collegian ] Brittany Altomare had experienced the same low early in her professional career and she reminded me that Brittany went on to finish second at this year ’ s Evian Championship ( one of the LPGA ’ s majors ).”

Coach Lewellen advised Coughlin to refocus during the months leading into the LPGA ’ s Q-school . She also promised to serve as caddie if Coughlin made it into the final stage .

“ She definitely pushes and challenges me to be better and to work hard ,” said Coughlin , advancing into her second final LPGA Q-school this year and her first as a professional . “ Besides my family and my fiancé , I don ’ t think anybody believes in me as much as Coach Kim .”

Coughlin also got a taste of the LPGA Tour in 2017 , qualifying for the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout in April and receiving a sponsor ’ s invitation to play in the Kingsmill Championship in her home state in May . She missed the cut in each , but called it a “ great learning experience ” for things to come .

Coughlin remembers being excited earlier this year as she watched her former college teammate nearly win The Evian Championship . That moment affirmed that if Altomare could contend on the LPGA Tour , maybe she could , too .

And after Coughlin had safely earned her LPGA card for 2018 at Q-school , she smiled after receiving a text message from Altomare — this time with her former teammate congratulating her for earning LPGA membership .

The 2018 season will be a milestone year in Coughlin ’ s life for other reasons . She will marry former Virginia offensive lineman John Pond on Jan . 20 — the Saturday before Coughlin makes her LPGA rookie debut at the tour ’ s season opener in the Bahamas , set for Jan . 25 – 28 .

“ He ’ s going to caddie for me during the tournament , which will basically be our honeymoon ,” Coughlin said .

And as for the LPGA ’ s notoriously global tournament schedule , Coughlin laughs when she thinks about 2018 , and how her travel savvy will have to ramp up in a hurry .

“ I have a passport , but I ’ ve never been out of the United States ,” she confessed . “ That ’ s going to change quickly , since my first tournament is in the Bahamas and my second event is in Australia .”