A Major Lesson: Allie Knight, PGA, to Make LPGA Debut at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Making your first LPGA start is a feat in itself, but making that debut in a Major Championship is taking it a step further. 

Allie Knight, PGA, is ready to do just that as she will tee it up with some of the best in the world at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next week.

Knight’s competitive golf career began in middle school and she eventually played collegiately at Middle Tennessee State, where she helped lead the team to its first conference championship in school history. After that, she went on to compete on the Symetra Tour where she made 13 career cuts.

Though she continued to compete, Knight wanted to work in the industry beyond the course. Since becoming a PGA Member, she has worked at various facilities throughout Tennessee in different roles. However, she found her calling in the teaching side of the job.

Now, she works as a PGA Teaching Professional at Fairways and Greens Golf Center in Knoxville, a position she feels very fortunate to have.

“I grew up practicing, playing and getting lessons there so it was kind of my dream job to end up here,” Knight said “Teaching is  also great because it gives me the flexibility to give lessons and have time to practice.”

Though she has made the transition to teaching professionally, she has also continued to compete and spends a lot of time on the road at various tournaments to keep her skills sharp. She was able to earn an exemption into the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after she finished T-5 in the 2021 Women’s Stroke Play at PGA Golf Club. 

This will mark Knight’s first LPGA start. As for how she’s preparing to make that debut in a major championship? 

“I’m trying to prepare both physically and mentally. I know it’s going to be distracting how awesome it’s going to be, so I’m going to try and stay as focused as I can,”  she said. “Just being there with some awesome players. I can’t imagine hitting balls next to Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson. It’s going to be unreal.”

When it comes to where she hopes to end up on the leaderboard by the end of the week, Knight is realistic with her expectations, but also aware of her abilities.

“It would be awesome to make the cut, but I think shooting even par on a tough golf course like that would make me happy. If I can go out there and do that, that would be great. Obviously the course is going to be very difficult and long like most majors and the greens will be blazing fast, so I’m trying to play courses that may be similar to prepare.”

However, Allie is equal parts teaching professional as she is a competitor, and she plans on bringing what she can back to her students. 

“It’s going to be exciting to look around and take it all in so I can share any knowledge I gain from it with my students.”