LPGA

These top amateurs are closest to earning an LPGA card via LEAP, including the world No. 1

Portrait of Cameron Jourdan Cameron Jourdan
Golfweek
Aug. 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET
  • Lottie Woad became the first amateur golfer to secure an LPGA card through the Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program.
  • Kiara Romero leads the current LEAP standings with 13 points, followed by Anna Davis and Paula Martin Sampedro with 9.
  • Amateurs can earn LEAP points through rankings, tournament finishes, awards and team competitions.

After closing in 64 at the Amundi Evian Championship, Lottie Woad became the first amateur to secure her LPGA card via the Elite Amateur Pathway program, which launched in the fall of 2024. And then in her first start as a professional, she won the Women's Scottish Open.

The LEAP program was a big sign of progress for the top women's amateur golfers, providing a direct pathway to the LPGA for those who earn the 20 points needed to secure a tour card.

Woad is the only player to earn her card via LEAP since its inception, but there are many notable players who have chances to follow her path and earn their cards in the coming year, too.

Amateurs can earn points one of five ways:

  • achieving a certain ranking in the World Amateur Golf Ranking
  • finishes in LPGA events or major championships
  • winning top amateur championships
  • winning major amateur awards
  • competing in team competitions, like the Curtis Cup or Arnold Palmer Cup

Here's a look at the amateurs who are closest to earning an LPGA card via the LEAP pathway, starting with the No. 1 amateur in the world.

Kiara Romero, 13 points

Amateur Kiara Romero of the United States plays her shot from the second tee during the final round of The Standard Portland Classic 2025 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on August 17, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.

Romero has earned 11 points since June 1: 4 for winning the McCormack Medal, 3 for being No. 1 in WAGR, 2 for her top-10 finish at the Standard Portland Classic, 1 for a made cut at the U.S. Women's Open and 1 for her participation in the Arnold Palmer Cup. She's also in the field this week in Canada.

Anna Davis, 9 points

Anna Davis hits her tee shot at the fourth hole during the second round of stroke play of the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Davis, the 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur champion, has only earned one points in 2025 heading into her junior season at Auburn.

Paula Martin Sampedro, 9 points

Paula Martin Sampedro of Spain holds the trophy following her victory during the Final on Day Six of the R&A Women's Amateur Championship at Nairn Golf Club on June 15, 2025 in Nairn, Scotland.

Martin Sampedro has had a dominant summer, winning the Women's Amateur Championship and the European Ladies Amateur.

Maria Jose Marin, 8 points

Maria Jose Marin hits her tee shot on the sixth hole during the second round of stroke play of the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Marin won the individual NCAA championship in May at Omni La Costa's North Course, two of the five points she has earned in 2025.

Jasmine Koo, 7 points

Jasmine Koo hits her tee shot at the ninth tee during the round of 32 of the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.

Koo had a big 2024, earning six points before she stepped foot on campus at USC, where she'll begin her sophomore season this fall.

Megha Ganne, 6 points

Megha Ganne lifts the Robert Cox Trophy after winning the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.

Ganne, a senior at Stanford, won the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur, earning her two points. Rising to No. 4 in the world after the win also earned her one point.

Rachel Heck, 6 points

Rachel Heck watches her tee shot at the second hole during the first round of stroke play of the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.

Part-time golfer? Yes. But Heck still has six points in LEAP, though she hasn't accumulated any since 2022.

Catherine Park, 6 points

Catherine Park reacts after missing her putt on the first hole during the first round of stroke play of the 2024 U.S. Women's Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Kathryn Riley/USGA)

Park, a senior at USC, earned five points in 2024 and the sixth came this year at the Palmer Cup.

Rianne Malixi, 5 points

Rianne Malixi watches her second shot at the fourth hole during the round of 64 of the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.

Malixi hasn't played a shot of college golf yet, but she won the 2024 U.S. Women's Amateur and 2024 U.S. Girls' Junior to start her college career with five points.

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