On the eve of the start of Week 2 of the LPGA Q-Series, former Duke teammates Jaravee Boonchant and Gina Kim planned to eat steak at their rental home. Kim thought she might bake brownies for dessert.
During the grueling two weeks of LPGA Qualifying School, talking about food is not only practical, it’s a welcome distraction. After Boonchant won the Epson Tour Championship in early October and finished 12th on the money list, Kim volunteered to be a caddy in the final stage. Kim finished eighth on the money list, securing her LPGA card for the 2023 season. The top 10 players earn cards; Boonchant finished $1,765 behind 10th place.
A total of 100 players started the Q-Series two-week grind last week and 75 made it through the 72-hole cut. They included four Duke players, including Ana Belac, Lindy Duncan, Miranda Wang and Boonchant. They’re hitting it again December 8-11 at the Highland Oakes Golf Course in Dothan, Alabama. Scores carry over from week 1.
Boonchant, Wang, Belac and Kim were on the 2019 Blue Devils team that won the NCAA Championship. Both Kim and Boonchant were rookies on the Epson Tour this season. Kim decided to forego her final semester of college golf after finishing T-36 at the LPGA Q-Series last year. She graduated in May with a degree in psychology. Boonchant drove to Durham for the ceremony.
“I’ve told Gina every day that I think she has more faith in me than I have in myself,” says Boonchant, who describes herself as an indecisive golfer.
The Thai native had a college batting average of 71.99, which ranks as the third-best batting average in Duke history.
Jaravee Boonchant and Gina Kim and celebrate a chance at Q-Series. (Epson Tour Photo)
When Boonchant returned to college during the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2021, Kim stopped by her room at the Duke hotel where the athletes were staying, and they walked downstairs together to practice. They asked each other the same question they ask every day this week: “What are we eating?”
While the pair worked independently during training, building a routine together helped them push each other.
Kim praised her friend’s consistent ball strikes, noting that the stability in her game is perfect for a marathon of pressure like the Q-Series.
“I think that’s why she’s in a good position now,” said Kim van Boonchant’s share of 11th through 72 holes. “She played smart.”
Boonchant was a freshman when Leona Maguire was a senior at Duke. Boonchant, who had never been part of a team before playing golf, was motivated by Maguire’s work ethic. Maguire holds the lowest batting average in NCAA history among golfers with 100 or more rounds (70.97). She made her breakthrough earlier this year and became the first Irish player to win at the LPGA.
“Hopefully we get to experience that one day,” Boonchant said.
The top 45 players and ties this week will earn LPGA tickets for 2023. Those finishing in the top 20 will earn Category 14 status, and those 12-45 will earn Category 15. Anyone outside the top 45 will earn the Epson Tour- state.
Kim said it’s a humbling experience to be back with Q-Series in a different role.
“The number 1 thing that came to mind,” said Kim, “was why I was so stressed about this last year? When I look at the course, it seems like a pretty straightforward course.”
Now it’s a matter of helping a more than capable Boonchant cross the finish line.
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Story originally appeared on GolfWeek
