Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels has taken another big step towards earning her LPGA Tour card for next season. The 23-year-old from Melbourne won the Epson Tour’s Garden City Charity Classic at Buffalo Dunes by four shots. The rising star scored her maiden professional title on the US secondary tour at the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic in March.
Ruffels broke the Epson Tour 36-hole scoring record with opening rounds of 62 and 64 to sit at 18-under (126). Her 10-under 62 on Friday set the new course record at Buffalo Dunes, Kansas. The 2019 US Amateur champion finished with a 1-under 71 to reach 19-under and tie the Epson Tour’s 54-hole scoring record. Italy’s Isabella Fierro (62), France’s Agathe Laisne (63) and South Korea’s Ga Yul Kang shared second place at 15-under.
Ruffels is the first player of the 2023 season to win twice on the Epson Tour. With her latest win and the US$30,000 winner’s cheque, Ruffels extends her lead as No. 1 in the 2023 Race for the LPGA Tour Card.
1. Gabriela Ruffles -19
T2. Isabella Fierro -15
T2. Agathe Laisne -15
T2. Ga Yul Kang -15
Other Australians
T21. Robyn Choi -8
T29. Cassie Porter -7
T36. Amelia Garvey -6
MC. Emily Mahar
Photo credit: Mike Stobe/ Getty Images
