Rianne Malixi could soon find herself one step closer to the LPGA Tour, thanks to a new initiative: the LPGA Collegiate Advancement Pathway (LCAP) — a recently launched program designed to help elite college players transition into the professional ranks.

Set to open applications on 22 July, LCAP is the LPGA’s effort to formally connect top NCAA Division I women’s golfers — including international players — with playing opportunities on the Epson Tour, the LPGA’s official developmental circuit.

At the end of each collegiate season, the top 10 players in the official LCAP Ranking will be awarded Epson Tour status. The top-ranked player will receive a Category D priority status, plus a direct exemption to the final stage of LPGA Q-Series — the last step toward full LPGA Tour membership.

Those ranked No. 2 to No. 10 also earn significant benefits, including Tour status and exemptions to earlier qualifying stages.

For Malixi, who is set to compete in the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship on Thursday, LCAP offers a structured and transparent pathway toward a professional career — something that has historically been less defined for international and Asian athletes.

What is LCAP?

The LPGA Collegiate Advancement Pathway is a performance-based program open to NCAA Division I women’s golfers who meet academic and amateur eligibility requirements. Players must have completed at least two seasons of college competition and maintain amateur status through the end of the LCAP season.

Rankings are determined using results from recognized collegiate and non-collegiate events tracked by the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR®).

Why it matters for Rianne Malixi

Malixi, who is set to attend Duke University in September, has a decorated junior and amateur career that includes winning the US Women’s Amateur and US Junior Girls championships last year. She is already familiar with competing at the highest level.

She is eligible to enrol in LCAP — giving her a direct shot at professional status without going through the more uncertain, often costly traditional qualifying school route.

“This program provides a fair, transparent, and performance-based pathway to the pros — something Rianne is clearly built for,” said Junior Golf Foundation of the Phiippines president Oliver Gan.