Emily Tubert (Burbank, Calif.) got a call from her sister two weeks ago after she made her LPGA Tour debut as a professional at the LOTTE LPGA Championship in Hawaii.
“She was like ‘I was with my friends at Buffalo Wild Wings and you were on the TV and that was the coolest thing ever’ and she doesn’t even like golf,” said Tubert, who made the cut and finished T53. “My caddy has always dreamed of being a caddy on a big tour so all his friends and family were watching on TV too.”
Tubert posted rounds of 71-71-74-68 to earn just over $6,000, which will help improve her status following the reshuffle. This week, she is playing in the Epson Classic at Atlanta National Golf Club.
“It was a great place to make my LPGA Tour debut and I knew I needed to capitalize on the opportunity,” said Tubert. “I had 18 birdies in my debut and only shot 4-under for the tournament, but there were a lot of positives to draw from that experience. One of the biggest things is I feel very comfortable there and I feel like I belong in that arena. I saw some of my friends and was able to explore the island.”
Tubert played the first two rounds with friends Mariah Stackhouse and Bronte Law. She played the third round with Jenny Shin, who she has been playing with since high school in Southern California.
“It all came full circle because now I was playing with her (Jenny) in an LPGA event,” said Tubert, who went to Torrance High School while Shin went to Burroughs and they played against each other in high school. “She has been out there (LPGA) for seven years so it was really great to get to play with her in my debut.”
Tubert said she took some time to soak in the experience.
“I had to realize that I was living out every 7-year old’s dream,” said Tubert. “Even every adult amateur who loves the game. That’s why I practice and the LPGA is the ultimate goal. Instead of being caught up in my own problems, I just took a moment to think that I’m here and I need to have fun.”
In the end, Tubert knew she belonged out there, but she confirmed it last week.
“I proved to myself that my game is good enough,” said Tubert. “It is not where it needs to be and I have a long way to go, but it is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Tubert tees at 9:20 a.m. on Friday in the first round of the Epson Classic.
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