ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) -- Senior Ayaka Nakayama has advanced to the second round of LPGA Qualifying School.
Playing in Stage I of the LPGA Qualifying School in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Aug. 25-28, Nakayama finished in a tie for 78th, making the cut to move on to Stage II.
Playing the Mission Hills Country Club Gary Player Course to open the tournament, Nakayama started off red hot. She birdied three of the first six holes. She tallied just one bogey on the round and finished 2-under through 18 holes. Round two on the Dinah Shore Course was a bit more difficult. A 3-over round left her at +1 for the tournament. In the third round, a bogey and a double bogey on the Arnold Palmer Course had her at +4 for the tournament, but she finished the round with a birdie to move to +3 with one round left to play. Sunday's final round back on the Dinah Shore Course saw four bogeys and one birdie, as Nakayama wrapped up the tournament at 6-over.
UCF head coach Emily Marron is completely supportive of Nakayama's drive to obtain a professional tour card. Nakayma intends to finish her collegiate career with the Knights, but would like to immediately transition to the professional ranks following the conclusion of UCF's season.
"I'm really excited for Ayaka pursuing her dream of playing professional golf," Marron said. "She's worked extremely hard to prepare herself for the next level and that extra work will, in turn, help our team this season."
Nakayama won't have to go as far for Stage II of the LPGA Tour Qualifying School. That tournament will be held October 20-23 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. The top 80 (plus ties) will move on to Stage III, while all players who complete all 72 holes will receive 2017 Symetra Tour status, based on their finish.
