Lau Closes Legendary U-M Career, Set to Turn Professional
11/28/2022 3:01:00 PM | Women's Golf
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's golf graduate student Ashley Lau announced today (Monday, Nov. 28), she will forgo the remainder of her collegiate career and turn professional as she continues her quest to qualify for the LPGA Tour.
"This was honestly such a tough decision," said Lau. "On one hand, I could stay with the Michigan program, my teammates and finish my master's degree at the greatest university in the world. On the other hand, there's the opportunity of chasing my dream of playing professional golf.
"In the months leading up to (Q School) Stage 2, I went back and forth on what I would do if I advanced. When I did, there was this little voice in me telling me to go for it and turn pro. I knew I had to chase my dream.
"I've been very thankful to have such a great support system and resources at Michigan, I'm so, so lucky to have very supportive parents and family. Especially my amazing sister (Adeline), and caddie, who's gotten to learn so much of my game over the years and has been by my side each step of the way on the course and with this decision.
"It is important for me to thank Coach (Jan) Dowling, AJ (Newell) and Mandi (Unruh) for being so supportive of me, and my family, as we had to make this decision. They have changed my life in so many ways and really given me the path to success.
"Saying that I am a professional golfer will be something I have to get comfortable saying, but it doesn't sound too bad. I cannot wait to start this journey. Forever, Go Blue!"
In her legendary Michigan career, she started all 43 of her career events, while carrying a U-M record 73.24 scoring average. A four-time medalist -- a U-M record, Lau was a two-time Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American (2021, '22). She became the first U-M women's golfer to earn first team honors in 2022.
Helping U-M win its first-ever Big Ten title in 2022, she was named the program's first Big Ten Golfer of the Year, while also earning the first Mary Fossum Award with her 71.70 scoring average. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, she added U-M record five Big Ten Golfer of the Week honors.
Lau helped U-M to three NCAA postseason appearances including back-to-back advancements to the NCAA Finals in 2021 and 2022. Prior to the 2020 postseason being canceled due to COVID-19, she earned an individual invitation to the NCAA regional as a freshman (2018-19).
Lau closes her career with a U-M record 47 rounds of par-or-better with 30 sub-par tallies, including a career-low 66 (-4) in the final round of the 2022 Vystar Gators Invitational (March 5-6). With that tally, she set the U-M 54-hole record with a 203 (-7; 67-70-66).
This summer, Lau competed in the 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur, along with teammate Hailey Borja, and helped the International Team win the 2022 Palmer Cup in Switzerland. As an amateur, she was invited to play in the Epson Tour stop in Ann Arbor (Traverse Pointe), where she tied for third.
Lau, who returned to U-M using the NCAA exemption from the COVID-19 pandemic, has continued to pursue her professional career by participating in the LPGA's Q Series. After advancing out of both Stage 1 and 2, Lau decided to turn professional in order to play for a spot on the LPGA Tour.
The two-week, eight-round final qualifier begins Thursday, Dec. 1 at Magnolia Grove in Mobile, Ala. The top 70 (and ties) advance to the final Q series qualifier at Highland Oaks in Dothan, Ala. Golfers who complete week one but do not advance will receive 2023 Epson Tour status.
After 72 holes at Highland Oaks, the top 20 finishers (and ties) earn LPGA status (category 14), while positions 21-45 (and ties) earn LPGA status (category 15) as well as Epson Tour (category C). Golfers, who complete all rounds before the cut, finishing outside the top-45 earn Epson Tour status.
Players Mentioned
