Of the 22 players with Epson Tour events on their resume, 20 are Epson Tour members. Alena Sharp and Jaclyn Sweeney both played in the Visit Mesa Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club, but are not Epson Tour members.
The list of players that have appeared in a Epson Tour event this year that will play at Ko Olina Golf Club includes: Anya Alvarez, Dottie Ardina, Julia Boland, Dori Carter, Brianna Do, Veronica Felibert, Emma Jandel, Nicole Jeray, Kim Kaufman, Birdie Kim, Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Alejandra Llaneza, Megan McChrystal, Haley Millsap, Jane Rah, Reilley Rankin, Rachel Rohanna, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Song, Jaclyn Sweeney, Kim Welch and Caroline Westrup.
Two on the above list have already captured Epson Tour victories this season. Alena Sharp won the Visit Mesa Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club while Kim Kaufman hoisted the trophy at the Volvik Championship.
Here are some quotes from some of the Epson Tour players that will play in the LPGA LOTTE Championship presented by J Golf.
Kim Kaufman
On what she is looking forward to…
“I am looking forward to the atmosphere of an LPGA event and the chance to play against the best in the world.”
On her expectations for the event…
“I expect to learn a lot, but to play well. I go into every Epson Tour event with the expectation to win, and I'm going to do the same here.”
On the LPGA Tour player she’d like to be in a group with…
“I would love to end up in a group with Suzann Pettersen. I've heard a lot about how fierce of a competitor she is and I would like to see it first-hand. She is so mentally tough.”
Emma Jandel
On what she is looking forward to…
“I am looking forward to competing with the best players in the world and using my staff bag for the first time.”
On her expectations for the event…
“My expectations are no different than any other event. I love what I'm working on and am excited for the opportunity.”
On the LPGA Tour player she’d like to be in a group with…
“I'd love to be paired with Juli Inkster.”
Haley Millsap
On what she is looking forward to…
“The thing I am looking forward to the most is getting back out on the LPGA and competing. This is what I have been getting ready for since the end of the 2013 season and this almost feels like the start of my season. Not to mention one of my friends just moved there with her husband, who is currently deployed, so getting to see and even stay with her is going to be a real treat.”
On her expectations for the event…
“When it comes to expectations with my golf, I am trying not to have any but to enjoy the process of each day and each shot and let the outcomes be what they are. I am my biggest critic so staying out of my own way is what I plan to do. However, I just had a great weekend with my coach so like I said, I feel ready and it feels like I am about to kick off my season. I did have my best college finish in Hawaii, so maybe there is something in the water over there :)”
On the LPGA Tour player she’d like to be in a group with…
“I wouldn't mind playing with a good friend and former teammate, Dori Carter, or Katherine Kirk. They are two players who have a passion for the game and are a joy to be around.”
Caroline Westrup
On what she is looking forward to…
“Obviously, I am very, very excited. This is what I have dreamt of since I was a little kid to play on the LPGA Tour against the best players in the world. It’s a step towards my dream and I’m looking forward to it.”
On her expectations for the event…
“It was the same thing for the U.S. Open, everybody was telling me that I have to come way before and play the course so, so many times because it is so hard. I don’t feel like I should over do it just because it is an LPGA tournament. I’m just going to prepare as I usually do.”
On the LPGA Tour player she’d like to be in a group with…
“My dad was the Swedish National Team coach for ten years and then we moved to Oslo, Norway when I was 11-years-old and he took over the Norwegian Federation. So, Suzann Pettersen has been an idle since I was a little kid. My sister and I used to go pick flowers to put on her bag for good luck. It would be awesome to play in a group with her.”
Brianna Do
On what she is looking forward to…
“The one thing I am looking forward to the most at the LPGA event is the food! Let's be honest, food is a big part of me enjoying anything I do.”
On her expectations for the event…
“I am not quite sure what my expectations are with golf but I am going to have fun and just learn from this opportunity. I definitely would love to play well enough to give myself more chances to play on the LPGA this year.”
On the LPGA Tour player she’d like to be in a group with…
“I don't have a specific player I want to play with. I'd love to play with someone that's fun to be around and that is willing to teach me a little more about being on tour!”
)
)
)
)
