The 2026 Epson Tour is already in its third week as athletes are preparing to compete in the inaugural playing of the Orlando Health Championship in Lakeland, Fla., at Grasslands Golf & Country Club from March 20-22. This marks the final event of the first stretch this season, with players chasing points in the Race for the Card to earn LPGA Tour status for 2027. A purse of $250,000 is up for grabs, including 500 points to the winner.

Here are some names to watch as the season begins:

Julia Gregg

Julia Gregg is a 24-year-old currently competing on the Epson Tour, where she made her debut as a rookie in 2025. A standout during her collegiate career at the University of Arkansas, she earned WGCA Scholar All-American honors three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, showcasing her consistency and academic excellence alongside her on-course talent. Gregg has quickly made an impact in her professional career, highlighted by recording four top-10 finishes in 2025. As of early 2026, Gregg continues to build momentum on the Epson Tour, participating in events and climbing the Race for the Card standings. Currently sitting at No. 23 after a T15 finish at the IOA Golf Classic, Gregg is ready to continue her momentum heading into the final event of the opening stretch of the season.

Kaleiya Romero

Kaleiya Romero is a 23-year-old from San Jose, California, who recently made her debut as a rookie on the Epson Tour in 2026. She honed her skills collegiately at Pepperdine University, where she earned four-time All-West Coast Conference First Team honors and won the 2021 Dick McGuire Invitational. After exhausting her eligibility at Pepperdine, she transitioned into coaching as an assistant for the University of Oregon women's golf team, while her siblings, Kiara and Kyreece, also compete for the Ducks. Romero has embraced diverse roles in golf, from player and caddie to coach, giving her a well-rounded perspective as she launches her professional career.

Currently competing in the 2026 Epson Tour season, she has earned early Race for the Card points, including a ranking at No. 9 after initial events, positioning her as an under-the-radar talent to watch on the Road to the LPGA. Romero is coming off two consecutive top-10 finishes to open the season and looks to gain another as she gears up for the inaugural Orlando Health Championship.

Lauren Olivares

Lauren Olivares, a 22-year-old rising talent from Celaya, Mexico, is making waves in her rookie season on the Epson Tour in 2026 after turning professional following a standout collegiate career at North Carolina State University. She made history as the first woman in NCAA golf to shoot a 60 in a competitive round, showcasing her exceptional scoring ability and composure under pressure. Olivares also earned back-to-back co-championships at the Briar's Creek Invitational in 2023 and 2024, along with 2024 All-ACC honors as the first NC State women's golfer to receive that distinction. Now competing on the official developmental tour to the LPGA, she has quickly climbed into the Race for the Card conversation with strong early performances. Her powerful game positions her as a player capable of contending for top finishes, already adding a T5 at the IOA Golf Classic to her resume. Fans and analysts alike should keep an eye on Olivares, as her blend of record-breaking potential and fresh energy makes her one to watch.

Amari Avery

Amari Avery first joined as a rookie in 2024 and is now in her junior season in 2026. A standout at the University of Southern California, she earned multiple All-America honors, including WGCA and Golfweek first-team recognition as a freshman, and helped lead the Trojans with strong stroke averages and numerous top finishes during her collegiate career. Featured as a child prodigy in the 2013 documentaries The Short Game and Trophy Kids, Avery transitioned to the pro ranks after turning professional in 2024. She has shown steady progress, amassing over $97,100 in career earnings with seven top-10 finishes. Known for her length off the tee, Avery brings power and precision to her game. In 2026, she continues to build on her momentum, participating actively in events and contributing to discussions on diversity in golf, as highlighted in her Black History Month feature alongside Lakareber Abe.

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:

Isabella Fierro – 500.000
Jeongeun Lee6 – 500.000
Jiwon Jeon – 364.000
Jessica Porvasnik – 312.500
Annabelle Pancake-Webb – 294.333
Kaitlyn Papp-Budde – 250.583
Maria Fassi – 243.333
Mariel Galdiano – 230.000
Kaleiya Romero – 196.667
Kate Smith-Stroh – 164.500
Yue Ren – 134.667
Lauren Olivares – 126.067
Amari Avery – 115.667
Haylee Harford Sanchez – 114.000
Kiira Riihijarvi – 106.214

Players to Watch: 2026 Orlando Health Championship

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