Imagine a golfer towering at 6-foot-3, swinging her club at speeds exceeding 110 mph, and dominating the Final Qualifying Tournament. That’s Helen Briem, the German sensation who just earned her LPGA card alongside a wave of European talent. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Europe now the dominant force in women’s golf?
This week in Mobile, Alabama, the European contingent felt right at home. Five of the top 10 players from the Ladies European Tour (LET), which concluded its season on November 30, secured LPGA cards on Tuesday. Among them was Briem, the 20-year-old medalist who made waves last year by winning her LET debut as a professional and racking up three runner-up finishes this season. Her average swing speed of 105 mph—with peaks over 110 mph—is a testament to her power and precision.
Briem wasn’t alone. England’s Mimi Rhodes, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini, and Ireland’s Lauren Walsh also finished in the top 25, capping off a weather-shortened, 72-hole tournament at Magnolia Grove. “That shows how good European golf is, how good the LET is,” Briem remarked, highlighting the depth of talent emerging from the continent. But is the LET truly producing players ready to compete at the LPGA’s highest level? Or is this just a temporary surge?
The tournament wasn’t without its challenges. Heavy rains forced multiple suspensions, including the complete cancellation of Thursday’s first round. Organizers ultimately reduced the event to four rounds, adding an extra layer of unpredictability. Despite the conditions, Briem thrived, opening with a 7-under 65 on the Crossings course and closing with a 4-under 68 to finish at 13 under, one shot ahead of South Korea’s Soo Bin Joo.
LPGA veteran Ryann O’Toole tied for third with France’s Perrine Delacour and China’s Mohan Du and Jing Yan at 11 under. “I’m a bit lost for words,” Briem admitted. “I entered this week with not a lot of expectations, but I’m really happy to be playing on the LPGA next year.”
Rhodes secured her card with a birdie on her final hole, carding a 72 to finish at 5 under alongside seven others, including major champion Hinako Shibuno of Japan and LPGA veteran Jodi Ewart Shadoff. Thailand’s Suvichaya Vinijchaitham, who turned pro mid-season at Oregon, also birdied her last hole to shoot a 68 and earn her spot.
Walsh, a former Wake Forest teammate of Rhodes and Carolina Chacarra, birdied four of her last eight holes to shoot a 5-under 67, finishing two shots clear of the cutoff. Emma McMyler, a recent Duke graduate, matched Walsh’s 67 with five birdies in her final six holes after starting on the back nine.
The standout round of the day belonged to Polly Mack, another long-hitting German. Starting at even par, Mack soared up the leaderboard with an 8-under 64, easily qualifying for the LPGA. This marked her fifth consecutive appearance at the final stage, having earned full LPGA status in 2022 and 2023. “Final stage is always exhausting—bad weather, rain, cold,” Mack reflected. “But I’ve learned to stay patient and trust my game. Some days are better than others, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.”
Not everyone made the cut. Jessica Porvasnik and Kate Smith-Stroh missed by a single shot at 4 under, while 17-year-old Gianna Clemente double-bogeyed her final hole to finish at 2 under. Canada’s Megan Osland, who started inside the number, ended up T-45 after shooting a 77.
As the dust settles, the list of players who earned LPGA cards is a testament to the global diversity of women’s golf. But as we celebrate this new wave of talent, we must ask: What does this mean for the future of the LPGA? Will European players continue to dominate, or will other regions rise to the challenge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
