She was far down the player alternate list for that event and if she didn ’ t get into the field , she would certainly be heading back to the annual Q-Series tournament to regain her LPGA tour card for 2022 .
The former Virginia Cavalier and 2017 ACC individual champion felt the pressure heading to Florida for that last tournament . She was No . 106 on the tour ’ s CME points list and was well aware that only the top 100 players would automatically keep full status .
As it turned out , Coughlin not only earned one of two spots into the tournament field through the 40-player qualifier , but she also posted her season-best finish at the Pelican Women ’ s Championship with a tie for 16th at 9-under 271 .
That clutch performance moved her from No . 106 to No . 97 , safely earning full 2022 LPGA status .
HANDLING PRESSURE
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A just-for-fun event helped Lauren Coughlin calm her nerves and secure her 2022 LPGA Tour card . by LISA D . MICKEY
“ It ’ s just a huge weight lifted off my shoulders ,” said Coughlin , 29 , of Charlottesville . “ I can plan and be ready to go into January . It ’ s such a relief . I should be able to get into any 2022 full-field tournament outside of the majors .”
Lauren Coughlin is relishing the opportunity to play a full LPGA schedule in 2022 .
BOUNCING BACK Planning her tournament schedule in advance and competing on only one tour is a luxury for which Coughlin has longed ever since her disappointing 2018 LPGA rookie season . That year , she missed 14 cuts in 18 events with a season-best tie for 50th at the Kingsmill Championship — a comfort zone for the Chesapeake native .
She did win the 2018 PHC Classic on the Symetra Tour and has spent time in recent years moving between the LPGA and its feeder tour — recording 11 top-10 Symetra Tour finishes , including two top-10s this season .
“ Bouncing back and forth is never good ,” Coughlin said . “ It ’ s very difficult , but if you can play well on the Symetra Tour , you can also play well on the LPGA Tour . It ’ s about
ASSOCIATED PRESS
22 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2022
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