The LPGA Tour has granted an age waiver allowing 17-year-old Gianna Clemente to compete for early membership next month.

League rules require members to be 18 or over, but the high school senior from Estero, Fla., won't celebrate that birthday until March 28.

Clemente is competing for a tour card at next month's LPGA Q Series and the waiver will allow her to play on tour if she is successful.

LPGA Tour officials said they granted the waiver because of her success as an amateur at LPGA events.

"With 10 starts on the LPGA Tour over the past three years, Gianna is a great example of a young player who continues to push herself to compete at the highest level, and we're excited to see what she accomplishes as she works to earn her spot on the LPGA Tour," LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler sai

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