2024 Maryland Women’s Open Runner-up Melanie Green Excelling on the EPSON Tour

Melanie Green smiles while walking around the second hole during singles matches of the 2024 Curtis Cup at Sunningdale Golf Club in Sunningdale, England on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Chris Keane/USGA)

Lutherville, Md. – Melanie Green, a name increasingly familiar to followers of women’s golf, is on a determined path to earning an LPGA Tour card. This journey, which is rooted in a standout collegiate career and now flourishing on the EPSON Tour, recently saw a significant stop at the Maryland Women’s Open, an event that holds a special place as the first professional event of her career.

Green, a former standout at the University of South Florida (USF), left a lasting mark on the Bulls’ golf program. During her time at USF, she consistently showcased her talent, accumulating numerous accolades. She made the American Athletic All-Conference team four times, was a 2022 NCAA Regional individual qualifier, and was the first USF player to be named the American Athletic Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year, among many other accolades. Her collegiate success laid a strong foundation for her professional goals.

The transition from amateur status to playing as a professional can be particularly challenging for any golfer. However, the 25th Maryland Women’s Open served as an exciting launchpad for Green. “It was my first pro event, so I was a little more nervous but mainly excited,” she shared when asked about her initial thoughts on participating in the tournament. “It was a great event to start my pro career,” Green exclaimed. “Overall…such a great event for a state championship, one of the best ones across the country. I’m super happy that is where my start happened.”

Despite her meteoric rise leading up to the Maryland Women’s Open, Green was not immune to mishaps and challenges during the tournament. She recalled a particularly tense moment to start the final round, “the biggest challenge was losing my first ball off the tee in the rough left on the final round.” It is a testament to Green’s mental ability to recover quickly, especially as a prospective LPGA Tour professional. Green would go on to finish runner-up in the 25th Maryland Women’s Open.

However, beyond the competition, personal moments often stand out as well. For Green, a surprise visit from her family added an extra layer of joy to the event. “My parents showed up as a surprise on the last day,” she fondly remembered when asked if there was any specific moment that stood out to her from the tournament. “But overall, I think just my excitement for the week. I wasn’t sure how my nerves would be during it all.”

Green is currently competing on the EPSON Tour, the official developmental tour of the LPGA, and she is performing exceptionally well. The EPSON Tour is where future LPGA professionals hone their skills, facing fierce competition week after week in pursuit of a coveted top-15 finish on the money list, which guarantees an LPGA Tour card for the following season.

Green has five top-5 finishes, including a victory at the Island Resort Championship presented by the Delta County Chamber. As a result, she currently ranks second in the “Race for the Card,” with only three tournaments remaining on the schedule. Green’s experiences, from collegiate championships to her professional debut at the 25th Maryland Women’s Open, have all been building blocks on her path to becoming an LPGA Tour professional.

For more information about the EPSON Tour and to follow Melanie’s journey, please visit epsontour.com.

The 26th Maryland Women’s Open presented by Toyota will be played from October 6 to 7 at The Suburban Club in Pikesville, Md. For more details on this year’s edition of the Maryland Women’s Open, please visit the tournament webpage.

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