
In 2021, Alena Sharp endured an issue that many professional golfers have encountered: the putting yips.
However, for Sharp, this wasn’t her first rodeo, as she had experienced the yips twice before in her career. This time around she lost her LPGA Tour card, leading her to compete on the Epson Tour and rely on sponsor exemptions or Monday qualifiers to play in LPGA events.
Thankfully, a turnaround began in early 2023, as she hired a new coach, Pete Lockett, shortly after taking some time off to re-evaluate her career and future.
“I realized that when I do actually retire, I will be OK,” said Sharp, a 43-year-old Canadian. “So, it took pressure off me performing well. I also changed my grip, which helped immensely.”
By changing her grip, Sharp began to hit fades, rather than draws, as she had most of her career. The drastic change certainly paid dividends. First, she won the Epson Tour’s 2023 Champions Fore Change Invitational. And second, she qualified for the Olympics for the third time.
“The Olympics was an amazing experience. It was a huge win to qualify for the team,” she said. “Overall, I played pretty solidly. I have huge pride and joy to play for Canada and wear the red and white.”
Additionally, Sharp regained full-time status on the LPGA Tour last December, due to her performance during the five final qualifying rounds of LPGA’s Qualifying Series. With a 7-under-par, T-21 finish, she became one of the oldest women ever to earn their LPGA Tour card through Q-Series.
The final results were even more satisfying, considering she didn’t have her wife and usual caddie, Sarah Bowman, on the bag. Bowman had to stay at the couple’s home instead while looking after their sick dog.
“I don’t think of my age much because I’m still hitting it far enough to compete.” — Alena Sharp
“Q-Series was definitely different this past year. It was a battle, but I started off very well the first couple of days,” Sharp said. “Mentally, it was helpful, and then I just played very consistently the last few days to get through.”
As proven by her recent successes, Sharp has shown time after time that age is just a number. Perhaps the secret is that she doesn’t even think about being 43?
“I don’t think of my age much because I’m still hitting it far enough to compete,” she said.
As a result of her power, she believes she can earn her first LPGA Tour victory during her 20th season. In fact, her goal for this season is no different than any other previous season.
“I always enter every season with my mind on getting a win,” she said. “This year, I would love to get into all the majors and qualify for the Asian swing at the end of the year, too.”
Sharp, like other professional golfers in their 40s, could argue her age is actually beneficial. After all, the experiences she’s gained since 2005 simply can’t be overlooked.
During the last two decades, she has overcome the putting yips three times and completely overhauled her swing. She’s also won twice on the Epson Tour. And she’s earned $3.1 million and 16 top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour.

Simply put, Sharp has experienced the highs and lows of a long professional career – experiences she believes will only help her in 2025.
“I think anyone can win at any time,” she said. “The older players have more experience, so using that to our advantage will always be helpful.”
At the end of the day, Sharp is still competing on the LPGA Tour for one primary reason: her passion for the game remains as high as ever before.
“I truly love competing against the best players in the world,” she said. “I still have the drive and discipline to work hard to play my best.”
To play her best, Sharp will continue to consistently work hard. She’ll likely be found on a putting green while striving to sharpen her short game. Or she may be seen at a driving range with Lockett, ensuring her new swing will endure the pressure of LPGA Tour events. Regardless, her work ethic will be an inspiration to others – both young and old.
“I’m always striving to get better, and I don’t feel in my heart that I’m done yet,” she said. “I’m always learning and evolving, too, so it makes the grind fun and rewarding.”