Lucy Li (17) Turns Pro, Not LPGA Eligible Until 2021

Despite a final round 77, mere Symetra Tour status in 2020 and no LPGA eligibility until she turns 18 in 2021, the youngest player to ever qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open has chosen to turn pro.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle reports on Lucy Li, the once-famous amateur who had a run-in with her status after filming an Apple Watch ad. But she’s already planning a foundation:

Li dropped not-so-subtle hints last month about her plans to turn pro, saying she would start a foundation to give part of her future earnings to establish a foundation “giving back to junior golf.”

Li maintained her amateur status in February, despite violating USGA rules by participating in an Apple Watch advertising campaign. The organization determined she breached Rule 6-2, but the amateur status committee decided to issue a one-time warning rather than strip Li of her amateur standing.

One refreshing component to this move from amateur golf to the professional level: Li went to the LPGA’s Q-Series, played, missed, and didn’t engage in a high profile rollout for her inevitable sponsors.