While most of the field in the Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf made their 2025 debuts at last week's Central Florida Championship, Tristyn Stasi returns to action this week at Atlantic Beach Country Club.
Stasi is fresh from a wrist surgery that sidelined her for most of the off-season and even prohibited her from competing in the Final Stage of LPGA Q-Series.
The lingering injury was prevalent throughout her 2024 season and into LPGA Q-Series, with the 26-year-old just trying to get through all 72 holes at the Qualifying Stage of LPGA Q-Series so she could secure her status for 2025. To her surprise, she ended up finishing T18 and qualifying for the Final Stage of LPGA Q-Series.
"It's interesting because my really only thought process that week was the fewer shots I hit, the less pain that I'm in," Stasi said. "I didn't care what I shot; I just wanted to get it done. So, it's honestly difficult to try to have that sort of mentality out here because you're playing week in and week out, and you're focusing on cut lines and things like that.
"But at the end of the day, you're kind of out here to enjoy each and every shot, and it's a gift to be out here."
Stasi is still trying to figure out a lot about her game and knock off the rust that accumulated while she recovered. The Kentucky native only started taking full-swing shots two weeks ago, so her expectations for herself are reserved.
"I've played maybe one round of 18 holes," said Stasi with a smile. "So, you know, obviously, making the cut is a great goal for me. And then, if I do make the cut, maybe trying to make a little move on the weekend and finish up a little bit higher, top 40s. I think that'd be great."
There is still a long season ahead for Stasi. The 2024 season was not up to her standards, as she made only five cuts in 17 starts. Now, Stasi has a new outlook on her game and how she approaches each event. She is focusing on the course improvements and taking time off to decompress.
"I've learned through these past two years that I'm not the best at balancing on and off the course," said Stasi. "We traveled to some pretty amazing places. So, I'm going to set myself a goal that's off the golf course. I want to do more non-golf activities. I want to be able to balance it. And that way, I have a clear mind.”