Three golfers who used to play for Colorado-based colleges made the 54-hole cut at Stage I of LPGA Tour qualifying, and if they can finish in the top 90 and ties in Sunday’s final round, they’ll advance to the second stage of the three-stage Q-school process.
Former University of Denver golfer Kimberly Kim (pictured) continued to set the pace for the eight players with strong Colorado connections as she sits in 15th place through Saturday’s third round in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion shot a 2-under-par 70 at the Arnold Palmer Course despite a double bogey on her 16th hole. Kim, who competed on the LPGA Tour in 2011, carded five birdies on the day. She’s four strokes out of the lead going into the final day.
Also surviving the 54-hole cut to the top 130 and ties — out of the starting field of 347 — were former University of Colorado golfer Alexis Keating and former Colorado State player Betsy Kelly. Keating finds herself in 97th place at 220 after a 76 Saturday, while Kelly is in 109th place at 221 following a third-round 72.
Meanwhile, seeing their bids end for 2017 LPGA Tour cards were five local players who missed the cut on Saturday: Samantha Stancato of Colorado Springs (228), former Coloradan Paige Spiranac (228), Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch (228), former DU golfer Isabel Southard (234) and former CU player Jamie Oleksiew (239).
The scores and positions of players with strong Colorado connections competing in Rancho Mirage:
15. Former DU golfer Kimberly Kim 68-74-70–212
97. Former CU golfer Alexis Keating 70-74-76–220
109. Former CSU golfer Betsy Kelly 75-74-72–221
Missed 54-Hole Cut
214. Samantha Stancato of Colorado Springs 73-77-78–228
214. 2015 CWGA Match Play champion Paige Spiranac 73-77-78–228
214. Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch 76-76-76–228
274. Former DU golfer Isabel Southard 79-78-77–234
311. Former CU golfer Jamie Oleksiew 79-77-83–239
For all the scores, CLICK HERE.
