Rookie Sydnee Michaels has targeted joining the top five on the LPGA Futures Tours 2011 money list all season. With her win at last weeks Vidalia Championship in Georgia, the Californian made a timely leap from 13th to No. 5 with one event remaining on the tournament schedule.
One of five Californians in the top six of the Futures Tours 2011 money list, the rookie from Temecula has posted four top-10 finishes this season with three top-10s in her last five tournaments. That late rally has provided momentum heading into next weeks season-ending Price Chopper Tour Championship.
Ranked fifth in this years J Golf Race For The Card with season earnings of $39,432, Michaels trails fourth-ranked Jane Rah of Torrance, Calif., by $6,596.
I cant say that I really planned for my game to be peaking at a particular time, but I know that I have been close all year to playing very well, said Michaels, 23, a former UCLA All-American. Im happy that its coming together at a crucial time.
Adding former LPGA Tour caddie Lorcan Morris to her bag in late July, Michaels tied for second a week later at the Pennsylvania Classic in Harrisburg, Pa. The two regularly banter much the same way that Michaels, who is one of eight children, dishes it back to her brothers.
But while a lot of players are feeling the pressure heading into next weeks season finale, Michaels, whose personal mantra is pressure makes diamonds, says she thrives on deadlines. She used to drive her coach crazy at UCLA when she would pull out wins late in a tournament or write 10-page college papers with the clock ticking.
Crunch time seems to be my specialty and I think its because I stay calm and always know that it is going to work out one way or the other, said Michaels. Whatever happens, happens, and all you can do is set yourself up for the opportunity and hope you can take advantage of it.
Statistically, Michaels ranks third on the LPGA Futures Tour in scoring average (71.525), fourth in par-4 average (4.003), fourth in sub-par holes (40 in 138 holes), third in putting average (28.949 putts per round), and fourth in birdies (137 in 40 rounds).
But even before she was moving up stat sheets, chasing an LPGA Tour card, or playing tournament golf, Michaels got her competitive start in state-level tap dancing. The southern California native also competed in figure skating and was a high school cheerleader for one year. When faced with the choice of pursuing tennis or golf, Michaels picked golf and never looked back.
She did, however, arrive on the LPGA Futures Tour this spring still stinging with disappointment after she failed to earn LPGA membership at last years qualifying tournament. But by her third Futures Tour event, Michaels tied for fifth and firmly readjusted her target goal for the year.
Everything happens for a reason and I think playing this year on the Futures Tour has been very beneficial to my career because I had a chance to mature as a pro, learn the ropes, gain confidence and learn how to grind it out and win on tour, she said. All of these things are crucial when youre going to be competing against the best players in the world on the big show [LPGA Tour]. Its hard to believe that the season is almost over.
Indeed it is, with only three rounds remaining. But if her crunch-time karma is working, Michaels plans to be holding up her 2012 LPGA Tour card by next weekend, right on time.
The J Golf Race For The Card culminates on Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Price Chopper Tour Championship in Albany, N.Y., and the most coveted prize is to be among the top-10 money winners at the end of that event. Those top-10 players will earn 2012 LPGA Tour membership, with the top five finishers earning full LPGA status.
