After controversy, Lucy Li turns pro, will play Symetra Tour

Lucy Li (Redwood City, Calif.), the 17-year-old star of U.S. Junior Ryder Cup, Curtis Cup and Junior Solheim Cup teams, has decided to turn pro and pursue her dream of eventually reaching the LPGA Tour.

Li recently advanced far enough through the LPGA Tour Q-Series to earn status on the Symetra Tour for 2020, but even had she earned LPGA Tour status she would not have been allowed to play due to her age (the minimum age for the LPGA Tour is 18).

Earlier this year, Li was the subject of controversy regarding her amateur status, after appearing in advertising for the Apple Watch. Eventually the USGA allowed her to retain her amateur status with a "one time warning", a decision which only stoked the controversy.

Related: Lucy Li retains am status as USGA issues 'one-time warning'

The San Francisco Chronicle was the first to report that the Li family had notified the USGA of her decision to turn pro.

So excited for the next step in my golf career, on and off the course 🥰 #StageII #DriveOn #Road2LPGA https://t.co/GDCU1bDw3h

— Lucy Li (@lucyli_golf) October 13, 2019

Li first grabbed the attention of the golf world by qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open at the age of 11.