LPGA Introduces LEAP Program to Streamline Amateur Players’ Transition to the Tour
The LPGA Tour is making bold moves in 2025, unveiling new strategies to combat slow play and enhance the sport’s overall appeal. Under the guidance of interim commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, the tour has been focused on growth and innovation in women’s golf.
Now, they are launching a groundbreaking initiative aimed at top amateur female golfers looking to turn professional. The LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program is set to revolutionize how elite amateurs earn their place on the LPGA Tour.
How the LEAP Program Works
Starting in 2025, amateur female golfers who accumulate at least 20 points within a designated four-year period will be granted exempt status on the LPGA Priority List. This means they will bypass the traditional qualifying process and go straight to competing in LPGA events—provided they meet all LPGA Tour membership requirements.
LPGA officially rolls out LEAP program.
Lottie Woad sits at 16 points. Several pathways to 20, though simplest appears to be winning McCormack Medal again (4 points). https://t.co/jgTmuWZFtJ
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) February 21, 2025
One example is Lottie Woad, who currently has 16 points and can secure her LPGA card by winning the McCormack Medal again, which would earn her the final 4 points needed.
To qualify for LPGA membership through LEAP, players must:
Meet age and gender requirements
Accumulate at least 20 points in designated amateur and professional events
Turn professional before officially accepting LPGA membership
How Players Earn Points
The 20-point threshold can be reached through five different categories:
1. World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR)
2. LPGA Official Tournament finishes
3. Amateur Championships
4. Awards
5. Team Competitions
For example, points can be earned by:
Holding a high WAGR ranking
Finishing in the top 25 of an LPGA Major
Winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
There is no cap on the total number of points a player can accumulate, except for the WAGR category, where only the highest career ranking is considered.
What Happens After Players Reach 20 Points?
Players who hit 20 points can choose to:
Defer membership until the following season
Accept membership immediately, playing the remainder of the current season and the next
Those who qualify will be placed in a new LPGA Priority List category, positioned:
Behind the “Career Top 40” players
Ahead of those in the “Current-Year Reshuffle”
Handling Multiple Qualifiers and Special Invitations
If multiple amateurs qualify in the same year, they are ranked based on:
1. The earliest date they earned their 20th point
2. Their WAGR ranking on that date (in case of ties)
The LPGA also allows exemptions and sponsor invites to players who are close to qualifying:
Each player can receive up to six sponsor invitations per year
Players may contact tournaments directly for potential exemptions
Once a player qualifies, the LPGA notifies them and guides them through the transition to professional status. It’s important to note that earning points doesn’t affect a golfer’s amateur status—players remain amateurs until they officially turn pro.
Why LEAP Matters for Women’s Golf
The LEAP Program provides a structured pathway for top amateurs to enter the LPGA Tour, ensuring that the most talented young golfers receive fair opportunities. It also acknowledges junior events and awards that have historically produced successful LPGA players, such as:
U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship
AJGA Player of the Year
By eliminating the need for qualifying school for top amateur players, LEAP aims to attract and retain elite talent while making the LPGA Tour more competitive.
With this initiative, the LPGA is setting a new standard for how amateur golfers transition into the professional ranks—one that could change the future of women’s golf.