Jennifer Bermingham, 28, of Long Beach, California, became the first LPGA Teaching & Club Professional to make the cut in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship since Karen Davies in 2007. Bermingham posted a 5-over-par 76 for a 36-hole total of 6-over-par 146. What made Bermingham’s accomplishment more dramatic was that she was making her debut in an LPGA Tour event.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking and I just tried to stick to my routine,” said Bermingham, who earned a berth by tying for fourth in the 2015 LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals National Championship last August in Kissimmee, Florida.
By her 36-hole performance, Bermingham is the sole player among eight LPGA T&CP qualifiers to play the weekend and will earn Low Club Professional honors. PGA/LPGA Professional Laurie Rinker of Stuart, Florida, who opened with a 72, skied to an 82 on Friday and 154 total. PGA Professional Karen Paolozzi of Atlanta, Georgia, finished with a 76 and was at 155. “It has been an unbelievable couple days. I can’t believe it,” said Bermingham, a 2009 graduate of University of California-Riverside. “I came in here with no expectations. Everything is icing on the cake.’’ Bermingham said that she has between 15 and 20 friends and family following her in the gallery and that her young students back in California put together a video clip to wish her well.