Annabelle Pancake-Webb is already checking off milestones on her path to golf's elite: Just days after securing her LPGA Tour card for 2027 via the Epson Tour, the 24-year-old is set to receive an exemption into the prestigious ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican in November 2026. This leap from the developmental tour to the big stage is the dream of many talents and demonstrates how quickly things can happen in professional golf.
Her dominant performance on the 2026 Epson Tour was truly impressive: Pancake-Webb secured fourth place in the "Race for the Card" and thus her spot on the LPGA Tour. She claimed victory at the Greater Toledo Classic and added seven other top-10 finishes. A stellar season that now grants her this unique opportunity.
Next Stop: LPGA Stage
The Gainbridge sponsor exemption for the tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, propels her directly into the 108-player elite field. For Pancake-Webb, this is the perfect opportunity to gain early experience against the world's best female golfers before her official rookie season in 2027. The tournament, from November 12-15, is also the penultimate event of the 2026 LPGA season – a perfect stage for making a statement.
Old Hat for the Newcomer?
However, the LPGA atmosphere is not entirely new to Pancake-Webb. As a high school player, she competed in the Indy Women in Tech Championship, then held at Brickyard Crossing. She expressed herself as "super grateful" for Gainbridge's support and is eager to compete against the very best in November.
