Maddie McCrary with her longtime coach, Rick Woodson. Photo: Oklahoma State
Since April of this year, we’ve followed Oklahoma State’s golf standout, Maddie McCrary, as she relentlessly pursued her goal of playing on the LPGA Tour. We’ve told you about her work ethic, her family and the boundless support of her long-time golf coach, Rick Woodson, who has worked with McCrary since the age of 6.
This past week, McCrary transformed her dream into reality by carding an even-par 360 in a grueling five-round LPGA Q-School competition at the Hills Course at LPGA International. That play earned this Texas fireball LPGA conditional status—an amazing feat for a first trip to Q-School.
With LPGA officials on the scene, McCrary had to decide whether to stay in school and compete as an amateur, or accept pro status.
Rick Woodson working with a 6-year-old Maddie McCrary. Photo c/o Rick Woodson
Not surprisingly, she decided to go for it.
McCrary is now a professional golfer and after finishing out this semester at OSU, will make competition her full-time gig. According to Woodson, McCrary will likely get 12-19 LPGA starts, with her first in Australia. She is also fully exempt on the Symetra Tour.
“I bet there aren’t many, if any, (golf coaches) that have taken a player from first touching a club to playing a major Tour,” Woodson said. “I’m proud of her and what we’ve done so far. There’s so much more to come.”
We look forward to continuing to follow this dynamic duo’s progress in the year to come.
