History in the Making: Amari Avery Becomes the 9th African American Woman to Earn an LPGA Tour Card
A One-Minute Snapshot
The Milestone: Amari Avery officially secured her LPGA Tour membership for the 2027 season via the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card.
The History: She becomes just the 9th Black woman in the 76-year history of the LPGA to earn a Tour card, ending a decade-long gap dating back to 2016.
The Finish: A strong T5 finish at the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells capped an impressive season, culminating in an eighth-place standing in the Race for the Card and Category 9 LPGA Tour status for 2027.
For anyone who watched the 2013 Netflix documentary The Short Game, seven-year-old Amari Avery’s fierce determination and megawatt smile were unforgettable. Even then, standing on the fairways of Pinehurst, Avery carried both immense expectations and an undeniable destiny: she wasn’t just playing golf; she was preparing to change it.
This October at the Indian Wells Golf Resort in California, the prophecy met reality.
With her 2027 LPGA Tour card already mathematically secured, Amari Avery delivered a composed, clutch final round at the Epson Tour Championship, finishing tied for fifth and ending the season eighth in the Race for the Card standings.
In doing so, Avery etched her name into the history books as only the ninth Black woman in the history of the LPGA to earn a Tour card.
9th Black Woman to Earn an LPGA Tour Card
To appreciate the gravity of Avery’s breakthrough, one must understand how rare and hard-fought this summit has been. In the 76-year history of the LPGA, only nine Black women have earned LPGA Tour membership.
Before Avery, the list numbered just eight:
Althea Gibson (1964) – The dual-sport icon who broke the color barrier in both tennis and professional golf.
Renee Powell (1967) – An ambassador whose courage opened doors across generations.
LaRee Sugg (1995) – Breakthrough champion and NCAA titleholder.
Shasta Averyhardt (2010) – Epson Tour victor who broke a 15-year absence on Tour.
Cheyenne Woods (2014) – Wake Forest champion and international Tour winner.
Sadena Parks (2014) – Two-time Epson Tour champion who powered her way to the LPGA.
Ginger Howard (2016) – Historic junior pioneer and professional standout.
Mariah Stackhouse (2016) – Stanford All-American and national champion.
Amari Avery (2026) – The next chapter.
Avery’s accomplishment ends a ten-year gap since Mariah Stackhouse earned her card in 2016. While her achievement is cause for celebration, the exclusivity of this nine-woman club also serves as a sobering reminder of the structural barriers that still exist in the sport and why seeing Avery on golf’s biggest stage matters so deeply.
Built for the Moment: From Prodigy to Powerhouse
Avery’s path to the LPGA Tour was neither accidental nor easy. Hailing from Riverside, California, she was thrust into the national spotlight as a junior prodigy, often drawing comparisons to Tiger Woods due to their shared Southern California roots and identical December 30th birthday.
Rather than wilting under the weight of early hype, Avery used it as fuel:
Collegiate Dominance at USC: Joining the University of Southern California in January 2022, Avery quickly established herself as one of the nation's most promising collegiate golfers. She captured three tournament victories during her freshman season, earned first-team All-American honors, and finished among the top eight in seven of her nine stroke-play events.
Amateur Excellence: A standout at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) and member of the victorious 2022 U.S. Curtis Cup team, Avery proved repeatedly that her game thrived on championship layouts.
The Epson Tour Grind: After turning professional, Avery faced the unforgiving week-in, week-out crucible of the Epson Tour. Known as the "Road to the LPGA," the tour demands unwavering mental toughness, self-discipline, and consistent scoring under pressure.
A Historic Professional Victory: In April 2026, Avery captured her first professional title at the IOA Championship in California, becoming the first Black woman to win on the Epson Tour in 12 years. The victory propelled her from 22nd to first in the Race for the Card standings and marked another significant milestone in her journey toward the LPGA Tour.
Throughout the 2026 campaign, Avery’s ball-striking, explosive length off the tee, and mature course management kept her in contention week after week. When the season finale arrived at Indian Wells, she delivered once again, finishing tied for fifth and closing the year eighth in the Race for the Card standings.
Why This Milestone Resonates Beyond the Ropes
At Scott Mentoring Golf Tournament Group, our passion goes beyond the mechanics of the swing and the precision of the equipment; it lies in the culture, community, and future of the game.
Golf is at a pivotal crossroads. Participation among women and historically underrepresented communities continues to grow, yet representation at the highest competitive levels remains limited. As young girls of color see Amari Avery step onto the LPGA Tour in 2027, the game shifts from something they may have only imagined to something they can see themselves achieving.
Avery’s journey proves that when access meets exceptional talent, dedication, and community support, barriers break.
What’s Ahead for Avery in 2027
As the LPGA prepares for its 2027 season, Avery brings a dynamic, charismatic, and fearless game to the world’s premier women’s golf circuit.
She won't just be competing as a rookie. She will be adding her own chapter to a history shaped by the Black women who paved the way before her while inspiring a new generation of young golfers who can now see another example of what is possible.
Congratulations, Amari. We look forward to watching you make your mark on the LPGA Tour.