Meet the Teen Who Needed Special Approval to Compete at LPGA Q School

Gianna Clemente has been making waves in women's golf for the better part of three years now, storming onto the scene when she Monday-qualified for the CPKC Women’s Open back in 2022 at just 14 years old.

And then she backed up her performance in Canada with two more, consecutive LPGA Monday qualifiers. Ever since, the teen sensation has continued to rack up accolades in the world of amateur golf—now she's ready for a new era.

Clemente has gone from feeling overwhelmed inside the professional ropes to well-adjusted, and says she's ready to take on the chance at earning her LPGA membership for 2026.

In a story for the LPGA, the teen recalls her emotions from that first Monday qualifier saying, "I remember my first one was in Canada, and I was incredibly overwhelmed. That was my first time being around professionals inside the ropes, and I didn't know what to expect. I think by the time we got to that third week, I already felt more comfortable. I think I just needed to gain a little bit of confidence."

Clemente advanced through the second stage of the 2025 LPGA Qualifying Series, aka Q School, last month, but she had to turn pro if she intended to compete in Final Qualifying in December. However, there was a small problem. Because she's under 18, Clemente needed a waiver to participate, a request commissioner Craig Kessler had to approve of. (He did.)

In on-brand Gen Z fashion, the now 17-year-old took to Instagram to make the announcement that she will be turning pro after spending the summer competing on the Epson Tour. Clemente wrote, "I am extremely thrilled to announce that I am turning professional. I want to thank my family, for supporting my dreams, helping me through the highs and lows, and standing by my side through it all."

As one of the top-ranked American amateurs, Clemente has been on a roll. She's competed in three Augusta National Women’s Amateurs, she was a member of the first U.S. National Development Team organized by the USGA and played on two U.S. Junior Solheim Cup Teams. She's a four-time AJGA Champion, and has 140 total tournament wins to her name.

But most notably, Clemente has teed it up in seven LPGA tournaments over the last three seasons, two were 2025 major championships, and she narrowly missed out on winning an Epson Tour event earlier this year at the Guardian Championship. She endured a five-hole playoff with Melanie Green, before Green secured the win and her 2026 LPGA card.

Related: These 15 Players Just Earned Their 2026 LPGA Cards

Clemente is now set to compete to earn her LPGA Tour Membership next month in Alabama for the final stage of qualifying. Play will take place December 4-8 at Magnolia Grove Golf Course. The top 25 and ties from Final Qualifying will earn LPGA playing cards for next season.

No matter what, this is a win-win for the teen who has always had dreams of playing professional golf. She has already secured Epson Tour status for 2026 after her performance in Qualifying so now she gets to just play ball.