Tubert Is Medalist in Stage I of LPGA Q-School; Schmidt Misses Cut by 2

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Emily Tubert was one of only two players to be under par in each of the four rounds last week as she cruised through the first of three stages of LPGA Tour qualifying.

Tubert opened with a 4-under 68 on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course (6,442 yards, par 72) at Mission Hills Country Club, and after shooting 71-67 on the Palmer Course (6,406, par 72), the three-time All-American from the University of Arkansas closed the deal with a 70 on Friday, as she went wire to wire in claiming medalist honors. Her cumulative 276 for 72 holes was 12 under and gave her a 5-stroke victory over Annie Park in Stage I of the LPGA's version of Q-School.

Sammi Stevens was another shot behind, at 282. Alison Lee and Katherine Perry tied for fourth at 283. Lee, who had three 71's plus a third-round 70, was the other player besides Tupert to be under par in every round. 

As it turned out, the contest for medalist on the final day wasn't all that dramatic. But things were different for the players who were just trying to get into the top 100 (plus ties) and advance to Stage II.

Ultimately, it took an aggregate of 298 to be in a  13-way tie for 90th place, meaning the a total of 102 players will go on to Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice, Fla. That's where the second stage will be held beginning Sept. 30. From there, the top 80 will advance to Stage III (Dec. 3-7) at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla. 

The top finishers from there will get their 2015 LPGA Tour Cards, although the exact number of cards to be issued has yet to be determined. 

Two former Minnesota state champions were at Mission Hills last week. Rachael Schmidt, the former Women's State Open winner from Elk River, was in a good position after a third-round 77 lifted her into a tie for 77th, but a final-round 78 did her in. She wound up with a four-day tab of 300 and missed by two. She tied for 111th. 

Katie Detlefsen, who won four state high school championships while she was at Minnehaha Academy, tied for 242nd with an overall 319.

LPGA Qualifying Tournament -- Stage I

At Mission Hills Country Club

Palmer Course (par 72, 6,406 yards)

& Dinah Shore Tournament Course (par 72, 6,442 yards) 

Rancho Mirage, Calif. 

Final results (top 100 and ties -- 102 in all -- advance to Stage II)

1. Emily Tupert                68-71-67-70--276

2. Annie Park                   68-72-72-69--281

3. Sammi Stevens           70-70-69-73--282

T4. Alison Lee (A)            71-71-70-71--283    

T4. Katherine Perry          74-67-69-73--283

What it took to advance -- 298 (13-way tie for 90th)

T111. Rachael Schmidt   75-76-71-78--300

T242. Katie Detlefsen       78-87-78-76--319