Dubai: Cheyenne Woods hopes to finally emerge from the shadow of her uncle Tiger after earning her Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour card at Qualifying School last weekend.
The 24-year-old earned her first full card after finishing tied for 11th at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament in Florida on Sunday, and she is now in the UAE ahead of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club, which starts on Wednesday.
Cheyenne had failed to qualify to the LPGA last year, but went on to win the 2014 Australian Masters in February to earn a two-year exemption on the Ladies European Tour (LET). But she said returning to conquer her LPGA demons this year had finally proven that she was in the sport on merit.
“They don’t hand those cards out to anybody,” said Cheyenne, whose father Earl is Tiger’s half-brother. “I would say it’s a little bit of a validation just to know that I’ve earned my stripes, I guess, to get there.
“In terms of the family name, I feel like everyone’s kind of moving past it.”
Upon hearing of her LPGA qualification, Cheyenne’s 14-time major-winning uncle Tiger tweeted: “So proud of you @Cheyenne_Woods! Talent & persistence, you have them both.”
And Cheyenne credited him for always being on hand to offer advice.
“He’s always told me just to trust my abilities, trust what you know you’re capable of doing, and I think that’s huge,” she said. “Because when you don’t believe in yourself, then I don’t think you’re going to do much in life.”
But she brushed off the fact that expectations would rise with her arrival on the LPGA circuit, and said she was never going to be Tiger’s female equivalent.
“I never compare myself to Tiger or what he’s done. I don’t feel like I need to validate anything for anybody. It’s just me and I’m trying to accomplish my goals and have my own career.
“This is always what I wanted to do since I was five years old, so I don’t really think about what others expect of me, just what I expect of myself.”
With the burden of qualifying school now relieved, Cheyenne added that she would be able to enjoy her Dubai debut this week.
“Q-School was always in the back of my head all year, especially these past few months building up to it. So to come here knowing that that’s in the past now and I’ve accomplished that, I’m able to have fun, enjoy Dubai and hopefully play well.
“Really, this week is for fun. I just want to play well and compete and enjoy the experience.”
