Choi To Pursue Professional Career

BOULDER — University of Colorado junior Robyn Choi has decided to forgo the remainder of her eligibility to purse a professional career in the LPGA.

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"I'm very happy for Robyn to have the opportunity to play the LPGA," head coach Anne Kelly said. "It is her dream and although it is a challenge for our team to lose her and it's sad to see her go, it is exciting for her to have the chance to achieve her goals! Robyn is a terrific young lady and is very determined; with some experience at this next level, I think she had a good chance to be successful on tour."

Choi, a native of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, earned her card to play on the LPGA Tour in 2019 as she finished tied for 45^th in the LPGA Q-Series last November. She did have the option to defer and play collegiately this spring, but ultimately decided to make the moved to the professional ranks. Choi is the first CU female golfer to turn pro with eligibility remaining.

"Honestly I only played Q-school this year as a reference point to get an idea of where I would be standing against a more competitive field, and although I did want to make it, I really didn't expect to go all the way and come to where I am," Choi said. "I'm quite excited to play against the professionals but at the same time I'm very nervous and scared of whether I made the right decision or not, but I want to trust myself that I did."

Choi was able to compete in three of CU's five tournaments this past fall and led the Buffs with a 71.44 stroke average through nine rounds. She placed in the top 10 in all three tournaments and had one top-five finish. She recorded scorecards under 220 in all three tournaments. Her best score of the season was her 3-under 213 (72-69-72) at the Windy City Collegiate Classic, which tied her for third. She was shot a 3-under 216 (70-74-72) on a par 73 at the Nanea Pac-12 Preview to finish tied for fifth.

Assistant coach Brent Franklin worked a lot with Choi and could not be prouder of what she accomplished in her short time at CU.

"Robyn was a joy to have on the team! I can't remember a player who worked harder or who had the ability to adjust her game so quickly... she was loved by everybody," Franklin said.

Choi has left her mark in the CU record books. As a sophomore, she played the most rounds in a season (39), setting the overall and sophomore record. During the fall of 2017, she tied with teammate Kirsty Hodgkins for the best fall stroke average in school history (71.93) and both were second in lowest SCIRP (score in relation to par) at 0.00. She finished her sophomore campaign with a 72.69 stroke average, as well as a 0.79 SCIRP, both CU sophomore records.

Her sophomore season was one of the best in school history. The Buffs qualified for the NCAA Championship, but Choi was the only one to advance to the fourth round in tournament play. Two of her rounds from that tournament are ranked in the top 10 for an 18-hole score. Her third round total of 70 ranks first, while her fourth round score of 72 is fourth. She also holds the top mark for the Buffs at the NCAA Tournament for 54 holes (220) and 72 holes played (292). Choi was named a WGCA (Women's Golf Coaches Association) honorable mention All-American following the 2017-18 season with teammate Brittany Fan, becoming one of five Buffs to ever earn All-America honors. She was also selected to the 2017-18 All-Pac-12 team.

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Overall Choi played in 73 rounds for the Buffs and her 73.54 stroke average and 1.53 SCIRP are both second overall in CU history. Her best round of play was a 65 (6-under) in the second round of the Coeur D'Alene Collegiate on Sept. 26, 2017. She had six rounds in the 60's while playing for the Buffs and recorded 91 rounds in the 70s. Choi also shot seven eagles and 265 birdies will in a CU uniform.

Besides owning many records in the CU books, Choi competed twice at the U.S. Women's Open Championship, marking just the fourth time in school history (and the second for Choi) that a Buff qualified for the event.

Since the moment she stepped on campus, she has been a big part of the program, and while she will be missed, this is a big moment for Choi and the CU women's golf program.

"Robyn added a lot to our program and was a leader by example with her work ethic," Kelly said. "She improved so much over the course of two and a half years and was a great inspiration to the other players. Robyn's departure will give some of our younger players the chance to step into the lineup and it will be exciting to see what they can do given the opportunity to compete."

Always a team player, Choi said she will really miss the team aspect of the sport.

"I really enjoyed college golf and playing and travelling as a team isn't a very common part of golf," Choi said. "I'm just thankful that I've met such great teammates and coaching staff who really taught me how to enjoy golf more and meet people who are always there supporting me. As for the team, I will miss travelling and having fun with them. I truly believe that the team can do well without me and I will always be cheering them on! Go Buffs!"

Players Mentioned

Robyn Choi

Brittany Fan

Kirsty Hodgkins

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