Teenager Nasa Hataoka got off to a strong start in her bid to earn a tour card on the U.S. LPGA Tour for next season, shooting a 4-under-par 68 on Wednesday for a tie for third place in the first round of the final qualifying school.
The 17-year-old Hataoka, who became the first amateur and youngest player to win a major tournament on the Japan LPGA Tour at the Japan Women's Open in October, carded four birdies at Daytona Beach, Florida. She sits one shot behind Thailand's Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and American Katelyn Dambaugh.
"I was really nervous before the tournament," Hataoka was quoted as saying through a translator, according to lpga.com. "I'm really happy to shoot under-par today."
She added: ". . . I saved three or four holes because of my putting and I am really happy about that."
The top 20 players in the final qualifier will be able to play in the majority of LPGA tournaments next season.