KUALA LUMPUR: Recently crowned Victorian Open winner Ashley Lau and Alyaa Abdul Ghany will head to the Epson Tour next month with plenty of motivation.
It was recently announced that the LPGA Tour will allocate five additional spots to its development circuit, serving as the year-long qualifier, bringing the total number of players set to be promoted to the LPGA Tour in 2025 to 15.
The introduction of these five LPGA Tour cards marks the first increase in the Tour's playing opportunities through the Epson Tour since the expansion from five to 10 in 2007.
In 2023, it was through the Epson Tour that Malaysia's Natasha Andrea Oon managed to secure her LPGA Tour membership for this year after finishing second on the Epson Tour's money list.
As for the other two Malaysians, Alyaa Abdul Ghany and Ashley, they finished 33rd and 56th, respectively.
"We are thrilled to announce the news of expanded access to the LPGA for Epson Tour Members at the end of the upcoming season," said the Epson Tour's Chief Business and Operations Officer, Jody Brothers.
"We annually review the performance data of our recent graduates, and the additional access substantiates that Epson Tour athletes are arriving to the LPGA ready to perform at the highest stage."
This development will spark hopes of having bigger Malaysian representation on the world's most prestigious circuit of women's golf.
Kelly Tan has been the sole representative since 2014, and this year marks the first time Malaysia will feature two players in the full season with Natasha being the newest addition.
The duo are expected to make their first start of the season at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship in California from March 21-24.
Ashley, who turned professional in November 2022, had just achieved her career breakthrough by winning on the WPGA Tour of Australasia.
She defeated former world No. 1 Shin Ji Yai of South Korea to the Victorian Open title by one shot.
