As the Epson Tour kicks off the Pure Michigan Cup swing in 2026, the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship brings together a compelling mix of defending champions, Race for the Card contenders, and electrifying rookies at a brand-new venue, The Medalist Golf Club in Marshall, Michigan. Now in its 13th year, the tournament carries a $200,000 purse and marks the first of three consecutive Michigan events that make up the high-stakes Pure Michigan Cup series. With crucial Race for the Card points on the line and the Road to the LPGA reaching a pivotal stretch of the season, the stage is set for a memorable week in Marshall.

Here are some names to watch as the Michigan swing gets underway:

Samantha Wagner

Samantha Wagner is a name that carries special significance at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship as she's the defending champion. Wagner claimed her first professional Epson Tour victory at last year's FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, a win that was a long time coming. Wagner didn't even realize she was leading down the stretch, and it wasn't until she and playing partner Riley Rennell stepped onto the 18th green that either of them saw the leaderboard confirming she had taken the lead. That blissful unawareness may have been exactly what she needed to close it out. Wagner's road to that breakthrough was built on a decorated amateur career that included qualifying for the U.S. Girls Championship at age 11, winning multiple AJGA events, and representing Team USA in both the Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Solheim Cup, before she turned pro in 2017 after competing collegiately at the University of Florida. In 2025, she also finished third in the Pure Michigan Cup standings, showing her consistency throughout the Midwest swing. Now at The Medalist Golf Club with the target on her back, Wagner will be eager to prove her 2025 triumph was no fluke and take another step toward her goal of returning to the LPGA Tour.

Annabelle Pancake-Webb

Annabelle Pancake-Webb is one of the most exciting young players on the Epson Tour right now, and her 2026 season has done nothing but reinforce that reputation. The 24-year-old is a two-time All-ACC selection out of Clemson University, where she left a remarkable legacy. Her record-breaking senior season included a 71.27 stroke average, the best in program history. She carried that elite form straight into her professional career. In just the second round of the Atlantic Beach Classic to open the 2026 season, Pancake-Webb fired a bogey-free 63, eagling the par-5 sixth and rattling off a string of birdies to vault to the top of the leaderboard. She ultimately finished tied for runner-up at that event, a strong early indicator of what she's capable of. That consistency has her sitting inside the top five in the Race for the Card standings, making the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship a prime opportunity for her to contend for her first professional victory and strengthen her case for an LPGA Tour card.

Gianna Clemente

Gianna Clemente may be the most buzzed-about rookie name in women's professional golf right now, and for good reason. Born on March 28, 2008, Clemente began playing golf at age 2 and started competing at age 5, building a résumé that most players never accumulate in a lifetime. She was named AJGA Girls Player of the Year in 2024 and served as low amateur at the 2025 Chevron Championship, all before ever turning professional. The LPGA granted her a rare age waiver allowing her to compete at the 2025 LPGA Qualifying Series Final Qualifying to play for her LPGA Tour card before turning 18, a testament to just how exceptional her trajectory has been. As an amateur, she also lost a five-hole playoff at the Epson Tour's Guardian Championship, showing she could already compete with the pros. Now fully on the Epson Tour in 2026 as a rookie, Clemente has secured three top-15 finishes and is coming off a T29 finish at the ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern. She has already made headlines this season, co-leading the IOA Golf Classic after the first round, signaling that her first professional win could come at any moment, and the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship could be the stage where it happens.

Carla Bernat Escuder

If there is one player on the Epson Tour who has captured the attention of the entire golf world over the past year, it is Carla Bernat Escuder. The Spaniard made history at the 2025 Augusta National Women's Amateur, becoming the first woman from her country to win the prestigious title, firing a closing 4-under 68 at Augusta National for a 54-hole total of 204. She made tournament history in the process, becoming the first player to card all three rounds in the 60s at the ANWA. Now in her first full professional season on the Epson Tour, she sits fifth in the Race for the Card standings, proving she belongs among the best players in the game. Before returning to the Midwest swing, Bernat Escuder earned co-medalist honors at U.S. Women's Open qualifying, shooting 69-70 for a 7-under total and competed last week in the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club. When she arrives at The Medalist Golf Club for the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, she will be one of the most dangerous players in the field.

Race for the Card Points List Breakdown

The real thrill lies in the Race for the Card points standings. At season’s end, the top 15 finishers secure LPGA Tour status for the next season.

The top 10 earn Category 9 status.
Nos. 11-15 receive Category 16 status, plus entry into LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifying for a chance to upgrade to Category 15.

Here is the current Race for the Card leaderboard:

Amari Avery – 955.467
Mariel Galdiano – 784.860
Megan Schofill – 708.850
Annabelle Pancake-Webb – 708.416
Carla Bernat Escuder – 656.000
Jeongeun Lee6 – 597.500
Liqi Zeng – 592.880
Lauren Olivares – 583.650
Cholcheva Wongras – 573.500
Maddie McCrary-Civello – 533.250
Rachel Kuehn – 509.500
Fiona Xu – 504.300
Isabella Fierro – 500.000
Maddie Szeryk-DiBello – 460.583
Kaleiya Romero – 429.667

Players to Watch - 2026 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship

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