LPGA Tour Commissioner Michael Whan denied 17-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn an exemption to compete in the 2012 LPGA Q-School. Commissioner Whan is reluctant to offer tour membership to young ladies under the required age of 18.

The LPGA Tour requires schmoozing of fans and sponsors in dinners and cocktail parties throughout the week the tour hits town. Players are required to attend, put on a party face and interact with sponsors and fans. Whan is reluctant to put young women under the age of 18 in these situations.

Ariya’s older sister, Moriya was co-medalist and did qualify for the 2013 LPGA Tour via Q-School last year.

Ariya earned medalist honors at the 2012 LET Q-School and took her game to Europe to start the 2013 season.

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption in her hometown of Bangkok, Ariya opened the year by nearly winning the Honda LPGA Thailand. She led by two shots standing on the 18th tee, but nerves and a bad break got the best of her. She posted a triple-bogey-seven at the last hole and finished runner-up to Inbee Park.

Jutanugarn rebounded by winning on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in the Lalia Meryem Cup in Morocco at the end of March.

Playing on another sponsor exemption, she continued her stellar play by shooting 64-75-68-66 to finish in third place at the LPGA Lotte Championship two weeks ago in Hawaii.

Ariya fired a first round seven-under par 67 and leads after the first round of the Kingsmill Championship.

Lexi Thompson had wins on both the LET and the LPGA before Commissioner Whan offered an exemption and allowed her tour membership at age 17.

If Ariya Jutanugarn continues her outstanding play and could pick up a win at the Kingsmill Championship, Whan may have to reconsider his previous decision and offer her tour membership.