In just one month, Tristyn Stasi will be competing at the Final Qualifying stage of LPGA Q-Series, hoping to earn one of the coveted LPGA Tour cards available for the 2025 season. The Epson Tour sophomore is one of the athletes taking the “long route” to the biggest stage in women’s golf, going through the Qualifying Series after finishing 110th in the season-long Race for the Card after the 2024 season.

Stasi’s Road to the LPGA has not been an easy one, as she battled multiple injuries and illnesses from the start of her journey and along the way. She is experiencing one of those injuries now and currently has her wrist taped up and expectations set low. They’re so low, in fact, that rather than focusing on advancing to Final Qualifying, Stasi teed it up at the Qualifying stage of Q-Series in late October with a plan to hit as few shots as possible to limit the pain and grind through 72 holes to earn Epson Tour status for next year.

The former University of Illinois Fighting Illini exceeded her own expectations, shooting in the low 70s over the first three rounds and securing her place at Final Qualifying with a final-round 6-under.

“To be 100 percent honest with you, I wanted to finish 72 holes because I didn't know if I could,” said Stasi after her final round at Qualifying. “I got two cortisone shots a couple of weeks ago, hoping to get me through the week, and they wore off within about four days. So, I just came down here with the mentality of 'okay, if I complete 72 holes, I'll have decent Epson Tour status,' but this is a good gift for the week.”

Despite the frustration, a wrist injury is not the biggest adversity the 26-year-old has faced during her professional golf career. Stasi found herself sitting out of her rookie season in 2022 due to a torn labrum suffered while preparing for her Epson Tour debut.

In 2023, after she recovered from surgery and got the all-clear to practice, the Kentucky native was diagnosed with COVID-19, yet again prolonging the start of her journey to the LPGA Tour.

But rather than let the challenges win the emotional battle, Stasi found a new perspective.

“I’ve dealt with plenty of injuries, and I think it's given me a different perspective on this,” said Stasi. “Golf is really important. I've chosen it as my career, but at the end of the day, it's just a game. I'm grateful that I can even hold the club sometimes. In the grand scheme of things, this (wrist tape) isn't that bad. I'll deal with it.”

The 2024 season marked Stasi’s second full season on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, but it didn’t go quite as planned. She made five cuts in 17 starts, with zero top-10 finishes, and even decided to skip the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells to rest and prepare for Q-Series.

And that decision ultimately paid off.

“This season really hasn't been up to what I really wanted it to be, but again, I've learned a lot,” said Stasi. “Golf is a fickle game. You're going to have highs. You're going to have lows, so I think just being grateful for it. This is my third time here (at Qualifying), and it seems like I've put myself in this position all three years. Knowing that I can perform under that pressure is just really solidifying and builds my confidence.”

A T18 finish at the Qualifying stage puts five rounds of competitive golf between Stasi and a spot to compete on the LPGA Tour in 2025. With good performances brewing, confidence building and the right attitude, Stasi could see her dreams come true before the holiday season.

“It's a marathon, not a sprint. Especially Q-Series,” said Stasi. “You've got a lot of golf. Even (Qualifying) with the two practice rounds, it's six rounds in a row, so I think just being grateful for where you are and taking it slow. I know getting out there, especially my rookie season, I wanted to grind all the time, and clearly, that led to a couple of injuries, so I think just playing smart, practicing smart, too, and enjoying every moment because it really is a gift. It can be taken away at any moment.”

Stasi will tee it up at Final Qualifying at Magnolia Grove Golf Club from December 5-9. More information and a leaderboard to follow will be available at a later date.

Tristyn Stasi Fights Through Injury to Advance to Final Qualifying

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