Lauren Coughlin was moving along during her first practice round after qualifying for the Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout last week in Dallas. It was her first LPGA event so she was trying to soak it all in. Mid-way through the front nine, she caught up to four-time Epson Tour winner Jackie Stoelting and the duo linked up for the rest of the front nine. Then, Stoelting dropped as she was only playing nine and Stacy Lewis and Vicky Hurst joined up with Coughlin for the back nine.

Coughlin had some small talk with Lewis in between mapping greens and picking landing spots. They have a common denominator as Coughlin’s parents live at The Woodlands Country Club in Houston and so does Lewis. Coughlin splits time between Charlottesville and Houston and spotted Lewis while training at The Woodlands in January so she had a comfortable common ground.

Coughlin – who has made four starts on the Epson Tour as a rookie – decided to make the trip to Las Colinas for her first Monday Qualifier. She posted a 69 to share medalist honors with Julieta Granada.

“I played the college qualifier last year so I thought if I could qualify, I had a chance to play well,” explained Coughlin as to why she decided to travel. “I didn’t play very well (during the tournament) and the fact that I almost made the cut (missed by two shots) definitely helps with my confidence. I’m really feeling good going into South Carolina next week.”

That’s a good sign considering the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Classic offers one of the largest purses on Tour at $200,000.

“My main takeaway from the week was that I belong there (LPGA),” said Coughlin, who was the ACC Player of the Year in 2016. “It was a big learning experience. It is a tough golf course and there were tough conditions and I felt like I held my own. It was big for confidence in feeling like I’ll definitely be back.”

Coughlin’s best result as a rookie on the Epson Tour so far is a T20 at the IOA Championship. With renewed confidence, the top 10’s could be around the corner.

Lauren Coughlin Feeling Good after Qualifying Last Week

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