Rising Australian star Minjee Lee aims to take another big step in her embryonic pro golf career by securing a spot on the US LPGA Tour this week.
The 18-year-old from Perth is among nine Australians teeing up at the tour's 90-hole qualifying school tournament at LPGA International in Florida.
A former amateur world No.1, Lee turned pro at the final women's major of 2014, the Evian Masters in September, finishing tied 16th, having already won the Victorian Open in February.
She's joined at the Q-school by her former national teammate, 18-year-old Su Oh of Victoria, who also turned pro recently, plus compatriots Julia Boland, Breanna Elliott, Emma de Groot, Rebecca Artis, Jayne Panos and Maggie Yuan, who are also trying to secure a card for 2015.
Fellow Australian Stacey Keating, on the other hand, is trying to improve the partial tour status she already holds.
Keating believes her experience from last year's Q-School will help this week and she believes consistency is the key.
"I know what to expect, I know it's a very, very, very long week, and the turtle sure wins the race," said Keating.
Keating says her Ladies European Tour status also allows her to feel a little more relaxed.
The top 20 in the 154-player field after Sunday's final round will earn full tour cards while the next 25 get partial tour status.
This year's field is one of the strongest in recent memory with three players inside the top 40 in the world rankings - Ha Na Jang (No.25, South Korea), British teenage sensation Charley Hull (No.37) and Sei Young Kim (No.40, South Korea).
In addition to the Australians, New Zealand rookie Liv Cheng hopes to join her compatriot Lydia Ko on the tour.
Other notables include reigning Australian Ladies Masters champion Cheyenne Woods, multiple LPGA tournament winner Lorie Kane and 2005 US Open winner Birdie Kim.
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