Duan Advances to LPGA Q-School Stage 2

Former Nebraska women’s golfer Alice Duan advanced to Stage II at LPGA Q School over the weekend, tying for 18th in a field of more than 300 aspiring women’s professional players in Rancho Mirage, California.

Duan, who helped the Huskers earn a trip to the 2021 NCAA Columbus Regional as a graduate student in her lone season at Nebraska, put together an impressive four-round total of 280 (-8) to finish in a seven-way tie for 18th. Duan’s performance included an opening-round 67 (-5) and back-to-back rounds of 70 (-2) over the next 36 holes before closing the event with a 73 (+1) on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Duan was a key member of Nebraska’s 2021 Big Ten runner-up team, tying for 11th with an even-par 216 (73-68-75) at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio. She entered the final round of the Big Ten Championship in a tie for third and helped the Huskers to their best conference team finish since 1984 (Big Eight).

Originally from Reno, Nevada, Duan spent her first two collegiate seasons at Cal State Northridge before transferring to Washington. Following the COVID-19 shortened 2019-20 season, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Washington and joined the Huskers as a graduate student for her extra season of eligibility. In the summer of 2020, Duan was the Washington Women’s Amateur Champion and the Washington Golf Women’s Player of the Year.

Alessandra Fanali, a senior at Arizona State in 2021-22, won LPGA Q School Stage I qualifying with a 274 (-14). The 2020 Big Ten Golfer of the Year Valery Plata (Michigan State) tied for second at 275 (-13). while Ashley Lau (T7th, Michigan), Bobbi Stricker (T7th, Wisconsin) and Alexis Phadungmartvorakul (T14th, Ohio State) joined Duan among five former Big Ten golfers who finished in the top 20 of Q School Stage I qualifying.

Overall, a total of 106 golfers advanced to Stage II, while 205 entrants did not. 

LPGA Q School Stage II will be played at the Plantation Golf and Country Club (Bobcat and Panther courses) in Venice, Florida, Friday, Oct. 18 through Monday, Oct. 21.