The game of golf is full of twists and turns. Through the birdies and bogeys, a pro’s fate is decided. Thus, a player today leading the game may be at the bottom the next day, and vice versa. Interestingly, something similar has been occurring at the Blue Bay LPGA in China, that has shifted the spotlight on Bailey Tardy.

With the golfing greats Lydia Ko and veteran Sarah Schmelzel leading the field, Tardy sits proudly as she is tied with them. The 169th ranked golfer scored 12 under 66 in the third round and now is in the winner’s circle for the first time in her LPGA Tour career. Who is the new face in contention at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club?

Bailey Tardy: Early life and university

Bailey Tardy hails from the state of Georgia. She was born on August 8th, 1996, to Bob and Kim Tardy. The 27-year-old pro started her education at the Greater Atlanta Christian School. There, she became a medalist and led her school team to the Georgia 2A state title in 2012.

In 2013, she changed her high school and continued at the Norcross High School in Georgia. In those years, she finished as a runner-up individually two times in Class 6A (2014 and 2015). She later continued her passion for golf at the University of Georgia, when she took admission there in 2015.

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She graduated with a degree in Family Financial Planning. In the last year of college, the 27-year-old juggled between her studies and golf. She had decided to turn pro before the fall semester concluded and graduated in May of 2019.

The Peachtree Corners native used to play in different leagues to become a better golfer; some of them were the PKB Girls Golf Tour and the Epson Tour. Over her challenging years as an amateur, Tardy clinched many accolades and garnered a lot of the attention from the golf world.

What did Bailey Tardy accomplish as an amateur?

In 2013, she played in the Symetra Tour Championship, and finished at T27. She was also the medalist at the 2013 U.S. Girls Junior. Then in 2015, Tardy won the North and South Amateur Golf Championship. Next year, she won two titles to her name: the Windy City and the Bryan Regional.

The same year, Tardy was named the SEC Freshman of the Year for the University of Georgia. Aside from this, as an amateur, she also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open three times (in 2014, 2016, and 2017). Moreover, in 2016, she became a team member of the Curtis Cup and played at the Dun Laoghaire Golf Club in Ireland.

Bailey Tardy’s pet children

While professionally a golfer, in her free time, Tardy loves to fish in the lakes or hike on Camelback Mountain or in her home state. Other than that, Tardy also enjoys walking her dog, named Bear, who is a mini bernedoodle. She had one more dog, Ramsey, who was with her for eight years of her life, but in November 2023, she lost it. Now, Bear accompanies her on the golf course as she makes it through the different challenges.

Tardy’s journey to the LPGA Tour

After turning pro in 2018, Tardy made her way onto the Epson Tour. There she won at the 2021 Copper Rock Championship. In the four years at the Epson Tour, Tardy tried various times to gain the LPGA Tour card but failed. However, her stars shone in the 2022 season. That year, Tardy played 21 events and made the cut in twelve out of them.

Read More: As She Stays on the Verge of Bagging the Record-Breaking Payout, LPGA Rookie Bailey Tardy’s Hopes to Make a Life-Changing Decision

Furthermore, she finished in the top five four times and made it to the Epson Tour Championship. However, after the last putt, Tardy was 11th on the board and lost again. But the LPGA Tour Q-Series gave her another chance. In the Q-Series event, Tardy finished second and got her LPGA Tour card for the 2023 season.

Through the tears of joy, Tardy took a breath of relief as she said, “I’m ecstatic.” It had been a rocky road for the 27-year-old to make it to the LPGA Tour, but she finally achieved it and could say, “I’m an LPGA member.” Though, on the Tour, the Georgia native hasn’t had any exemplary performances yet. In 2023, Tardy played 21 events but made the cut for only 12.

Now, at the Blue Bay LPGA, she is racing for her maiden victory on the LPGA Tour. Will Tardy earn her first career win using Mizuno golf gear? Only time will tell.

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