Jaclyn Lee, Katja Pogacar Advance to Q-Series
10/19/2018 8:58:17 AM | Women's Golf
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Buckeye Katja Pogacar and current senior Jaclyn Lee have advanced past Stage II and into the Q-Series of LPGA qualifying to be held next week at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club.
Pogacar and Lee each tied for 13th at the second stage of qualifying this past week at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. Q-School has been re-formatted for 2018, allowing the players who advance through the first two 72-hole events to participate in Q-Series, a 144-hole stroke play event at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club Oct. 24-27 and Oct. 31-Nov. 3.
Pogacar opened with an even-par 72 Monday before a 5-under 67 in the second round Tuesday. The Ljuljana, Slovenia, native then posted a 2-over 74 in the third round before another even-par 72 in the final round Thursday. Lee sandwiched a 2-under 70 in the opening round Monday and in the third round Wednesday around a 1-over 73 in the second round. She then matched Pogacar with an even-par 72 in the final round to advance.
“I’m really excited to advance to Q-Series,” Lee said. “It makes all the stress of handling my obligations with school while qualifying worth it. I’ve been working hard at my game so I’m happy to see it pay off. It’ll be a quick turnaround for me but I’ll be ready to go for Pinehurst.”
A total of 41 players advanced through Stage II and finalized the Q-Series field at 103 players. Lee and Pogacar are the only players from their respective countries to qualify through the second stage. In addition, former Buckeye Rio Watanabe received 2019 Symetra Tour status by completing the 72 holes of Stage II in Venice.
A second team WGCA All-American, first team All-Big Ten pick and medalist of the 2018 Big Ten Championships, Lee’s 71.14 scoring average was 11th nationally last season, breaking Allison Hanna’s previous-best of 72.58 by a Buckeye set in 2003-04. The Calgary, Alberta, native concluded the 2017-18 campaign in a tie for fifth at the NCAA Championships last spring.
Pogacar, who competed for the Buckeyes from 2014-2017, is a two-time first team All-Big Ten pick, a two-time second team All-Big Ten selection and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. The three-time WGCA All-American Scholar primarily has been participating on the Ladies European Tour this past year after qualifying in December.
