Arizona Wildcat sister act advances to LPGA Q-Series; Gabriela Ruffels misses out by one stroke

Sisters Vivian Hou and Yu-Sang Hou advanced out of the second stage of LPGA Q-School. Vivian, a finalist at this year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur with Yu-Sang on the bag, carded a 3-under 69 to advance on the number to LPGA Q-Series. Yu-Sang posted a final-round 68 to take a share of 29^th at 4 under. Both sisters play for the University of Arizona.

The top 45 players and ties moved on to the final stage out of the field of 179. This year’s Q-Series will be held Nov. 29-Dec. 12 on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama.

“It’s always really fun playing with my sister growing up,” said Vivian, “and especially we go same school, same elementary school and then we just playing together, live together, doing everything.

“Then we working really hard toward the same goal and really, really hope that we made it to LPGA next year. That’s biggest goal for us.”

A pair of sister acts make plenty of headlines already on the LPGA with the Kordas and Jutanuagarns all winning in 2021. Taiwan’s Hous hope to follow their lead.

“I’m glad it’s done,” said Yu-Sang.

France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard blew away the field by five, finishing at 19 under after a final-round 65. Amateur Xiaowen Yin, 16, of China finished second but cannot advance to Q-Series because she did not meet the LPGA’s minimum age requirement of 18. The same holds true for Alexa Pano, 17, who took a share of 10th. Both will receive Symetra Tour status in 2022.

Gabriela Ruffels started the final round in a share of 30th but plummeted down the board after making a triple on the par-5 16th (her front nine) on the Bobcat Course. Ruffels, the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, rallied to birdie three of the last five holes to come within one stroke of advancing.

Allie White, 31, knows all about close calls. The veteran player finished 36th on the Symetra Tour money list for the season, missing out on an exemption into Q-Series by $148.

White bounced back in Stage II, however, closing with a 69 to earn her way into the final stage for the first time in six years.

“I’m really happy to get a chance,” said White. “It’s obviously no guarantee, but that was my whole goal for the whole year, was just to give myself a chance at Q Series.

“So it’s awesome.”