Queensland’s Karis Davidson has announced she will turn professional following an exceptional performance at the Japan LPGA qualifying school.
Davidson, a former Australian representative at both the World Amateur Team Championships and Queen Sirikit Cup, progressed through all four stages of the gruelling qualifying test against a high-quality field.
The Queensland Academy of Sport member expressed delight in beginning the next phase of her career.
“I'm really excited to have turned professional and I’m looking forward to the years ahead and experiences to come,” Davidson told Golf Australia.
“Q-School was difficult especially starting from the first stage, but a fun and exciting feeling to keep passing the stages.
“When I get back to Australia I will sit down and make all my goals, it's been pretty full on trying to organise things for next year.”
Following her success, Davidson immediately caught a train across Japan to visit members of the Australian team playing in the Queens Cup including good friend Hannah Green whose first year success on the Symetra Tour, the developmental tour of the LPGA Tour, is something she will try to emulate in 2018.
“The Queens was great to visit and see all the girls and catch up with how they were doing," she said.
“It was great to watch the golf as well.”
Golf Queensland High Performance Program Manager Tony Meyer said her success was a reward for hard work.
“Karis is always looking at ways to make herself the best she can be," he said.
“Be that on the practice fairway or in the gym, she is a valued team member of the Queensland Academy of Sport and a great role model for her QAS team mates.”
The 2018 Japan LPGA season begins in March.