The idea of going pro: Nelly Korda and outgoing Lexi Thompson inspired the 17-year-old to take a chance on college and make a big career out of it. More below
Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson. The names suggest two talented golfers on the LPGA Tour. But there’s a catch: The couple never even went to college, let alone graduated. And it’s this, among the many skills, achievements and feats the duo have accumulated, that has inspired one 17-year-old golfer, Indian high school athlete Avani Prashant. Ahead of the LPGA Qualifying Series she will be competing in on August 22, a video featuring an interview with the teen golfer was shared by BeyondTheClubhouse Podcast. When asked about her goals, she revealed her goals and her inspiration to achieve them: “I want to get my card and turn professional as soon as possible,” said Prashanth. “This is my goal, so I hope I’m in LPGA next year.” She didn’t stop there. Golfer also emphasized the current world’s number one with American colleagues and explained it as inspiration. “I would say if you think about it,” shared the 17-year-old Avani Prashanth, “The best women in the world like Nelly Korda, for example, she hasn’t done college, neither has Lexi, and not a lot of the Asians have done it as well.” The Korda-inspired athlete highlighted the same while mentioning how they helped give her confidence in the “idea to turn pro, young.” The 2024 Chevron Championship winner took up the game of golf at the age of six. She was taught the sport and trained in it three times a week in her formative years. In the end, Nelly Korda didn’t go to college, instead turning professional on the Symetra Tour at age 18. Now 26, she quickly earned her LPGA Tour card and began playing on the women’s tour the following year. Meanwhile, Thompson was home school in the early days and was introduced to sports as a child. The 29 -year -old is currently retired, but she has a unique record of being the youngest golfer who has achieved qualifying at the age of 12 in 2007, with the qualification of a women’s opening in the United States. That was until Lucie Li did the same in 2014. But Avani Prashant will no doubt be trying to follow suit when she takes to the LPGA course at Q School this week. The Korda-inspired golfer is currently ranked T57th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings in scoring average. Additionally, he has risen to 39th in the rankings and has had eight wins and 18 top 10 finishes. Currently the No. 1 amateur golfer in India, Prashant won individual and team gold medals at the 36th National Games held in 2022, not to mention finishing 21st at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Interestingly, she hopes to make it to the LPGA Tour by showing her best at the upcoming Q-school events. The pre-qualifying tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 22 and will be played on three courses. Meanwhile, the qualifying tournament is scheduled to begin on October 15 and will be played at Plantation Golf and Country Club (Bobcat and Panther courses) in Venice, Florida. Immediately following, the final qualifying tournament will be held at Magnolia Grove Golf Club (Crossings and Falls Course) in Mobile, Alabama on December 5th. All eyes will be on the LPGA Tour’s promising young players as they try to earn their women’s tour cards. But can she do it? In addition, will she be able to make Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson? All we can do is wait patiently!