A native of South Carolina, McPherson was diagnosed with Still's disease at age 11, which is a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Confined mostly to bed and unable to walk for a year, she was told she would no longer be able to compete in any sport that required jumping or running.[1] As a result, she took up golf and played on the boys' golf team at her high school. She earned a golf scholarship to the University of South Carolina, and recorded seven victories in her four-year collegiate career. McPherson graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in sports and entertainment management. In 2003, McPherson was awarded the Honda Inspiration Award, which is given to a collegiate athlete "who has overcome hardship and was able to return to play at the collegiate level".[2][3] She overcame Still's disease, and rebounded to become an accomplished golfer.[4]
The Big Break
While on the Futures Tour, McPherson appeared on the Golf Channel reality show The Big Break VI, which was filmed during a two-week period in late June and early July 2006. McPherson was the fifth player eliminated from the show.
Professional career
After graduating from college, McPherson turned professional and competed on the Futures Tour for four years. From 2003 to 2006 she competed in 60 events, never missed a cut, and won twice. Her fourth-place finish on the Futures Tour money list in 2006 earned her an LPGA Tour card for the 2007 season.
Her first season on the LPGA brought limited success, with a best finish a tie for 18th; she finished the season 97th on the money list. In 2008, her second year, she recorded six top-10 finishes, and finished 47th on the official money list. In 2009, McPherson recorded a T-2 in a LPGA major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, followed by a T-5 three months later at the next major, the LPGA Championship.
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