Here's what I know about 18-year-old Harukyo Nomura (野村 敏京), the LPGA rookie who's making her professional debut today at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.
At last year's LPGA Q-School, she squeaked into Category 20 via a playoff that never should have happened (in correcting their error, the LPGA chose to err on the side of inclusiveness). Prior to that, she played several JLPGA events as an amateur. Here's how she did, in reverse chronological order:
Nov 2010 Daio Paper ElleAir Ladies MC (73-72); Ito-En Ladies MC (78-73)
Oct 2010 Hisako Higuchi IDC Otsuka Kagu Ladies T49 (74-73); Fujitsu Ladies T12 (67-74-69); Japan Women's Open 46th (75-73-78-76)
Sept 2010 Golf5 Ladies T58 (72-71-76)
Jun 2010 Nichirei Ladies MC 77-71; Suntory Ladies Open MC (78-75)
May 2010 Chukyo TV Bridgestone Ladies Open T18 (72-72-68)
Apr 2010 Nishijin Ladies Classic T25 (73-74-72); Studio Alice Ladies T18 (77-72-72)
In 2009, she made it to the quarterfinals in the Japan Women's Amateur, was low amateur at Japan Women's Open (a 73-69-70-74 performance earned her a tie for 15th), and finished 2nd to Chie Arimura at the Daio Paper ElleAir Ladies.
As you can see, Nomura hasn't been playing close to her best since last May. And I can't imagine more trying circumstances for her 1st round as a pro. At least she was 1st off the back 9 with fellow rookie Kimberly Kim. Here's a link to her scorecard.
[Update 1 (3/20/11, 12:12 am): Can't say I'm surprised she missed the cut, but she made a nice comeback to come within a shot of making it.]
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