US Curtis Cup Star Turns Pro After Glittering Amateur Career
Wake Forest player Rachel Kuehn has become the second member of the 2024 US team, after Zoe Campos, to leave her amateur career behind
One of the biggest names in the 2024 US Curtis Cup team, Rachel Kuehn, has announced she has turned professional.
The 23-year-old made the announcement on Instagram where she thanked the amateur game for giving her “the most thrilling, rewarding, joyful, exciting, lesson-packed ride.” She also recalled her childhood where she spent time “chipping balls into the baskets to win M&Ms from my mom,” and thanked her parents and brothers “who have given up so much to support me and let me chase after my dreams.”
A post shared by rachel kuehn (@rachel_kuehn_)
A photo posted by on
She also revealed she would make her professional debut at this week's Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. “Amateur golf, I will miss you. But I know that now is the right time to say goodbye and turn the page," she added.
"With all that said, I am incredibly excited to announce that I have officially turned professional and will make my debut at the @theannikalpga this week. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to make my first official start at such an incredible event.”
While the penultimate tournament of the LPGA Tour season will be a particularly high-profile introduction to life as a professional for Kuehn, she also revealed that she will be a regular on the circuit’s developmental tour next year, concluding: “What a ride it has been, and I am excited for what the future has in store next year on the Epson Tour.”
Kuehn leaves behind a glittering amateur career that included victories at the 2019 Annika Intercollegiate, the 2020 North and South Women’s Amateur and the 2024 ACC Women's Golf Championship.
In 2023, she also helped Wake Forest win the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship for the first time. Along the way, she also reached a career high of fourth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Kuehn becomes the second member of the 2024 US Curtis Cup team to turn pro after Zoe Campos, who left her amateur career behind in October when she advanced to the final stage of LPGA Tour Q-Series. Two members of the victorious Great Britain & Ireland team, Sara Byrne and Mimi Rhodes, have also turned professional since September’s Sunningdale match.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
PNC Championship Round Two Tee Times
Tiger and Charlie Woods are in an excellent position to claim their maiden PNC Championship win after a stunning opening round - here are the second round tee times for them and the other 19 teams
By Mike Hall Published
-
Report: Viewing Figures For The Showdown Lower Than Most Editions Of The Match
The Las Vegas contest, which saw PGA Tour stars play LIV golfers, reportedly had relatively disappointing viewing figures across two networks that broadcast it
By Mike Hall Published
-
Ladies European Tour Q-School Results: Curtis Cup Stars Among LET Q-School Winners
Daniela Darquea topped the standings at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech, with 24 players securing their playing rights on the Ladies European Tour for 2025
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Jessica Korda Eyes LPGA Tour Return After 18 Months Out
After 18 months away from the game, Jessica Korda is eyeing a return to action, with the American claiming 2026 is 'what we’re shooting for'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Nelly Korda Debuts New TaylorMade Driver At Grant Thornton Invitational
The World No.1 was spotted using a TaylorMade Qi35 Max driver, which appeared on the USGA’s Conforming Clubs list earlier in the week
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
How much money is on the line at the Grant Thornton Invitational?
By Elliott Heath Published
-
R&A Introduces New Transgender Policy For Top Women's Golf Events
The R&A has introduced a new transgender policy prohibiting golfers who have been through male puberty from taking part in top women's events
By Paul Higham Published
-
Tony Finau Pulls Out Of Grant Thornton Invitational
Tony Finau has withdrawn from the Grant Thornton Invitational due to a knee injury, with his place alongside Nelly Korda being taken up by Daniel Berger
By Paul Higham Published
-
NCAA Div 1 Champion, World No.14 And LET Winners Amongst 26 Players Who Secured 2025 LPGA Tour Cards
After almost a week of drama, 26 players have secured their playing rights on the LPGA Tour for 2025, with 10 rookies joining the top circuit
By Matt Cradock Published
-
American Pro DQ'd From LET Q-School Without Hitting A Shot
Gabby Lemieux travelled over to North Africa for Ladies European Tour Q-School but was disqualified on the first morning of action
By Jonny Leighfield Published