Emma Talley: Crimson Tide standout ready for LPGA’s big stage

Emma Talley has been on her way to the LPGA’s big stage since she won the Kentucky State Girls Golf Championship in 2008.

Emma Talley has been steadily honing her talent and working her way toward pro golf’s big stage, from a small town in Kentucky, to The University of Alabama, to the Symetra Tour, and now to the LPGA.

Talley capped off her 2017 Symetra Tour season tied for 2nd in the Tour Championship. That $14,756 payday, which secured her 9th place on the money list, puts her earnings at $76,556 for 2017.  The Top 10 money earners will all be joining Emma on this new LPGA adventure.

But stepping onto the big LPGA stage isn’t typically the sort of thing one does in a single, dramatic leap.

A golfer’s life is not for the feint of heart. Emma has shown that she has the skills and the drive to get the job done.

During her time at Caldwell County High School, Talley captured the Kentucky State Girls Golf Championship 3 times (2008, 2010, and 2011). In 2008, Emma also played on the victorious U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, proving once again she was ready for golfs next level.

You don’t commit to The University of Alabama without knowing you are headed for a culture of Champions.  Just ask Justin Thomas!  As a freshman, Justin was recognized as the 2012 Haskins Award Most Outstanding Collegiate Player of the year.  He followed that up by being a part of Alabama’s 2013 & 2014 NCAA Men’s Team Golf Championships. Alabama incubates champions!

2013 proved to be a good year for Emma too. She won the U.S. Women’s Amateur by defeating Yueer Cindy Feng, another of the women’s game’s young standouts, in the 36-hole final match, 2 & 1.

Emma again showed her skills by capturing the 2015 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Golf Championship.

She also received 2016 1st Team Honors on both the Women’s Golf Coaches Association and All-SEC team in her final year at Alabama.

Since turning Pro in 2016, Emma has steadily been rising in the rankings.  In October of 2016 Emma had a Rolex Ranking of 482.  According to this week’s Rolex Rankings Emma Currently stands at 340.

As a Symetra Tour rookie in 2016 Talley started 14 events, made 11 cuts, and finished solo runner-up in the Fuccillo Kia Championship.

In 2017 Emma played in 21 Symetra Tour events, made 19 cuts, and recorded 8 top 10 finishes.  This year also brought her 1st Pro Win at the 2017 Island Resort Championship.

For a young lady who started playing golf at 9 years old, this sounds like dreams coming true!  Now that her LPGA Card is secure, I look forward to watching Emma Talley on Tour in 2018.

We’ll be following Emma Talley closely as she starts her rookie year on the LPGA. How long will it take her to announce her arrival and notch a top-10 finish?