The decision to turn professional is one that is key in every golfer’s career and Olivia Mehaffey made the jump to the paid ranks back in May this year.
Back in March, while still an amateur, the Northern Irishwoman was the 36-hole leader at the inaugural Arizona Women’s Golf Classic on the Symetra Tour.
Just a couple of months later, Mehaffey teed it up on the Symetra Tour once again but this time as a pro at the Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship.
Fast forward to July and the Belfast native was living the dream as she played in the ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management just 30 miles down the road in Ballymena.
It was a week where friends and family could come and watch Mehaffey on home turf and she excelled in the arena finishing T17 after rounds of 70, 72, 71 and 70.
“I had my family, friends, my sponsor and so many people that mean a lot to me here this week. Walking down the 18th was very special for me,” said Mehaffey.
The 24-year-old headed to LPGA Tour School in the summer where she competed at the Second Stage but missed out on making it through to Final Stage.
Mehaffey had a glittering amateur career where she played for Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup twice, as well as reaching the heights of third in the World Amateur Rankings and competing in six Major championships.
But she understands doesn’t mean anything in the professional ranks and is enjoying the process of learning more about herself as her pro journey continues.
“It has been a big adjustment getting used to being on your own schedule and travelling. It is a lot more golf. It is quite demanding, but it has been a lot more fun to figure out things about myself and get used to it and that’s been quite helpful for me,” said the Northern Irishwoman.
However, getting status on the LET was always something that the Arizona State University alum set out to achieve in 2021 and she is hopeful to make it through to the Final Stage.
“It’s really exciting where the LET is at at the minute and it just keeps getting better and it has been really fun to watch this year,” she continued. “Having LET status is something that has always been a goal for me so it’s fun to be here this week.”
Mehaffey got off to a good start on the first day of Pre-Qualifying posting a round of 71 (-2) on the South Course to be T3 after day one.
“It was quite solid; I hit a lot of greens and had a lot of chances. I didn’t putt overall amazing, but I just put the ball in the right places, and it was simple golf,” she explained.
With the players teeing it up on both the North and South Courses throughout the week, the 24-year-old is excited for the test.
She added: “I like them both. I think they have got their own challenges, but they are similar. They are both great courses and it is great fun to get to mix it up this week and play on the North and South.”
