Wildhorse Resort, August 20, 2025
News Summary
Erika Hara clinched her first Epson Tour victory at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic, securing her LPGA card for the upcoming season. This victory marks her as the fourth player from the Epson Tour to gain this opportunity. With her consistent performance throughout the season, including eight top-10 finishes, Hara has made a significant impact as she prepares to elevate her career to the LPGA. The competition remains intense, with only four tournaments left in the Epson Tour schedule before further LPGA cards are awarded.
Pendleton — Erika Hara Punches Her Ticket to the LPGA After Wildhorse Win
Big night at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic sends shockwaves through the Epson Tour
In a scene that felt equal parts celebration and deadline drama, Erika Hara clinched her first Epson Tour victory at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic and, with it, secured an LPGA card for the 2026 season. The win makes her the fourth player from the Epson Tour to lock up promotion so far, joining a small but growing list of graduates who will move up next year.
This is not just another win on a development circuit. Hara’s breakthrough arrives in a season where the stakes are crystal clear: the top 15 players in the Race for the Card standings will earn LPGA status for the following season. With four tournaments left on the 2025 Epson Tour schedule, everything from leaderboard positioning to momentum now matters more than ever. The final tally and the handing out of cards are set for October 5, after the Epson Tour Championship in Indian Wells, California.
A profile in consistency — the numbers that matter
Hara’s path this season has been relentless. She has not missed a cut in her 15 starts on the developmental tour and has piled up eight top-10 finishes in that stretch. Those steady results culminated in the Wildhorse triumph, a first Epson Tour title that proved decisive in securing her LPGA card. Off the course, Hara has built a sizeable following, counting more than 400,000 Instagram followers, an indicator of her visibility and growing fanbase.
Her resume also carries weight from international play. Hara has been a member of the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association since 2018 and claimed the Japan Women’s Open Golf Championship twice, in 2020 and again in 2023. That winning pedigree overseas helped set the stage for this breakthrough in the United States.
Who’s already through, and what’s left to play for
Joining Hara as guaranteed members of the 2025 Epson Tour graduating class are Melanie Green, Gina Kim, and Briana Chacon. With these four already secured, 11 LPGA cards remain up for grabs among the rest of the contenders. The clock is ticking: only four Epson Tour tournaments remain in 2025 before the season-ending pardon — the Epson Tour Championship — crowns the final standings on October 5.
The Race for the Card is a pressure-packed ladder. Each event offers vital points and prize money, and late-season surges are part of the tour’s DNA. Players who ride a hot streak now can vault into the top 15, while those barely hanging on must defend their positions under growing spotlight glare.
Japan’s red-hot run on the LPGA
Hara’s victory on the Epson Tour came on the same weekend as another Japanese winner on the LPGA, where Akie Iwai won the Standard Portland Classic. That combination made it the season’s fifth LPGA victory by a player from Japan — a notable national hot streak that underlines the depth of recent international talent making waves on both tours.
What this means going forward
For Hara, the Wildhorse win is more than a trophy. It’s a ticket to the big stage. Her consistency, international credentials, and the momentum from this victory put her in a strong position as she moves to the LPGA. For the rest of the Epson Tour field, the final four events in 2025 are now survival tests and opportunity windows—every shot, every finish, every clutch putt could decide who joins the graduating class on October 5.
FAQ
How did Erika Hara secure an LPGA card?
Erika Hara clinched the card after winning the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic, a first Epson Tour victory that guaranteed her a spot among the 2025 Epson Tour graduating class set to play the LPGA in 2026.
Who else has already earned LPGA cards from the Epson Tour?
Melanie Green, Gina Kim, and Briana Chacon have also already secured LPGA membership via the 2025 Epson Tour graduating class.
How many cards are available and when are they awarded?
The top 15 players in the Race for the Card standings earn LPGA cards for the next season. Cards will be awarded on October 5, after the Epson Tour Championship in Indian Wells, California.
How many tournaments remain on the Epson Tour in 2025?
There are four tournaments remaining in 2025 before the final standings are set and LPGA cards are awarded.
What are some notable stats about Erika Hara this season?
Hara has not missed a cut in 15 starts on the developmental tour, has eight top-10 finishes this season, and has more than 400,000 followers on Instagram. She has been a JLPGA member since 2018 and won the Japan Women’s Open in 2020 and 2023.
Quick Reference Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Player who just secured LPGA card | Erika Hara — first Epson Tour victory at Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic |
| Other players already secured | Melanie Green, Gina Kim, Briana Chacon |
| How many LPGA cards via Race for the Card | Top 15 players earn LPGA cards for the next season |
| Remaining Epson Tour events in 2025 | Four tournaments left before final standings |
| Final cards awarded | October 5, after the Epson Tour Championship in Indian Wells, California |
| Hara’s 2025 season snapshot | 15 starts without missing a cut, 8 top-10s, 1 Epson Tour win, 400,000+ Instagram followers |
| International pedigree | JLPGA member since 2018; Japan Women’s Open champion in 2020 and 2023 |
| Contextual note | Hara’s win coincided with an LPGA victory by Akie Iwai, marking the fifth LPGA winner from Japan this season |
End of report. Stay tuned as the final four Epson Tour events shape the last wave of LPGA hopefuls chasing those coveted cards.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Erika Hara Secures LPGA Card with Epson Tour Win
August 20: A Date of Significance for Golfers and History Lovers
Annika Sorenstam Pursues Second Senior Title at U.S. Open
Additional Resources
- Epson Tour: Erika Hara Secures LPGA Tour Status
- Epson Tour: Erika Hara Claims First Win
- Golfweek: Erika Hara Locks Up LPGA Card
- LPGA: Erika Hara Secures LPGA Tour Status
- Wikipedia: LPGA Tour
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