It’s not quite the same routine as before, but it’s still not a walk in the park. There are also fewer places up for grabs this time around.

The 2024 LPGA Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage takes place in Mobile, Alabama. Thursday marked the first day of a five-day, 90-hole test of perseverance. The top 25 and ties after five days will earn LPGA status in 2025. There will be a cut to the top 65 and ties after the fourth round.

The Falls and Crossings courses at Magnolia Grove Golf Course are the event locations.

Yu Liu paced the field on the first day with a 9-under 62 on the Crossings course. Isa Gabsa had the best first day on the Falls course with an 8-under 64.

The second day saw Liu, a 2018 LPGA rookie, maintain her lead with a 67 in the second round. She is now at 14 under, seven shots ahead of the field. Maria Fassi made a big jump on the board with a Friday 64. She is tied with four others – Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Manon De Roey and Chisato Iwai – for second after 36 holes at 7 under.

While 90 holes spread over five days under pressure sounds like a lot, the LPGA Q school was even more demanding.

• In 2023, golfers had to complete 108 holes of stroke play with six rounds over six consecutive days.
• From 2018 to 2022, it was 144 holes with two 72-hole stroke play events in consecutive weeks.
• From 2009 to 2017, the event was called Stage III, and it was similar to what it is today, with 90 holes of stroke play over a one-week period.

What is also new this year is that the 25 cards dealt represent a reduction in half compared to the 50 golfers who won them a year ago.

In February, the the tour announced this changewhich was implemented to allow all golfers becoming LPGA Q Series members greater access to LPGA tournaments while placing greater emphasis on rewarding season-long performance for players of category 15 (LPGA 101-125 and Epson 11-15). Previously, players who finished in the top 45 and tied in the LPGA Q-Series would earn LPGA status in categories 14 (Nos. 1 to 20) or 15 (Nos. 21 to 45). Players who complete all rounds before the LPGA Q-Series cut will earn Epson Tour status.

Notables in the field include Saki Baba, Alena Sharp, Gina Kim, Azahara Munoz, Sarah White, Ana Belac, Pernilla Lindberg, Bronte Law, Latanna Stone, Sophia Popov and Adela Cernousek.