Quebecer Brigitte Thibault is ready to take an important step in her sports career.
The athlete from Rosemère said Wednesday that she plans to make the leap to professional golf this summer, after a career marked by success among amateurs, in the American university ranks and with Canada on the international scene.
“This summer, half of my season will be spent with the professionals, and the other half with the amateurs,” said Thibault, after playing in his last tournament with the University of Texas Longhorns. I just want to make sure I end up in the strongest field, to challenge myself as much as possible. »
“I’ll turn pro this summer for sure, but for now we’ll take a step back and see how things go,” she added.
Thibault has indicated that she plans to make the leap to professional golf shortly before the start of the qualifying process for the LPGA Tour, or the CP Canadian Women’s Open – two events which will take place towards the end of the month. ‘august.
The first stage of the LPGA Tour qualifying process will take place August 18-21 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., while the Canadian Women’s Open will be held August 22-28 at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf club. The second stage of the qualifying process will then follow from October 18-21 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida.
Successful as an amateur
Thibault shone in the American university ranks, winning five titles with Fresno State University between 2018 and 2021. She notably won the Mountain West Conference Championship in 2019, the Ontario Women’s Amateur Golf Championship in 2019 , the Western Women’s Amateur Championship in 2020 and the Dixie Women’s Amateur Tournament in 2020. In addition, the Quebecer won the bronze medal with Canada in the mixed team event at the 2019 Pan American Games.
She then left Fresno State University to join the University of Texas at Austin for her fifth and final year of eligibility as a student-athlete. And on Monday, she allowed her team to finish the season 13th in the American University Championship.
“I don’t realize it yet, to be honest,” she said of the end of her college career. I was with my teammates earlier today, and I remembered all the memories acquired over the years. »
“I am speechless, I am super grateful to have been able to live all these years, to have learned so many lessons. It’s a lot of emotions to deal with,” she agreed.
Thibault mentioned that she will soon participate in another amateur tournament. She will have to choose between the British Women’s Amateur Golf Championship at Hunstanton Golf Club in Norfolk, England, from June 20-25, or the Porter Cup, which will be held at Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, State of New York, July 13-16.