Alena Sharp

Alena Sharp

Alena Sharp is a Canadian professional golfer currently playing on the LPGA Tour. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, she developed her game in the Canadian amateur ranks before earning a scholarship to New Mexico State University, where she competed on the university’s golf team and won a major collegiate honor. After turning professional in 2003, Sharp sharpened her skills on the Futures Tour and other development circuits before earning full status on the LPGA Tour in 2005. More than two decades into her career, she remains an active and respected presence on the women’s professional circuit.

Early Life and Background

Alena Sharp was born on March 7, 1981, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She grew up in a region with a deep appreciation for golf, and the sport quickly became a central part of her childhood. Sharp played junior golf in Ontario and steadily built the competitive resume that would later earn her an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level in the United States.

Her amateur career in Canada gave her exposure to high-level competition and helped her attract the attention of American college programs. Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, Sharp developed a smooth, repeatable swing suited to the demands of tournament play. Her progression through the junior and amateur ranks laid the foundation for the next step in her development.

Sharp accepted an athletic scholarship to New Mexico State University, where she joined the school’s women’s golf team. During her time with the Aggies, she competed against some of the top collegiate players in the country and earned recognition as one of the nation’s outstanding female amateur golfers.

Path to Golf

At New Mexico State University, Sharp distinguished herself as a member of the women’s golf program and built a competitive record that earned her national recognition. In 2003, she received the Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award, an honor presented to a distinguished female amateur golfer who combines a high level of playing ability with strong character, scholarship, and leadership. The award signaled her readiness to test herself at the professional level.

Shortly after receiving the Munson Award, Sharp turned professional in 2003. She spent her first two seasons on the Futures Tour, the developmental circuit now known as the Epson Tour, while also competing on other minor tours to accumulate experience and tournament rounds. The grind of mini-tour golf helped her refine her course management and prepare for the highest level of women’s golf.

In 2005, Sharp earned her LPGA Tour card and joined the big stage of women’s professional golf. The transition from the developmental circuits to the LPGA Tour marked the beginning of a long and steady career at the game’s top level for the Canadian golfer.

Alena Sharp

Early Career (2003–2005)

Sharp’s early professional years were spent learning the rhythms of tournament golf on the Futures Tour and other regional circuits. She played two seasons on the Futures Tour between 2003 and 2005, using the schedule to build confidence and consistency. During this developmental period, she also competed on the West Coast Ladies Golf Tour and the Cactus Tour, where she collected several of her early professional victories.

Her work on these tours produced results that validated her decision to turn professional. By the end of 2005, Sharp had accumulated enough experience and earnings to graduate to the LPGA Tour, where she would spend the bulk of her career. The early years on the developmental circuits established the routine and discipline she carried into the next stage.

LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2005–Present)

Sharp joined the LPGA Tour in 2005 and quickly established herself as a dependable competitor. Although she did not secure a breakthrough victory in her early seasons, she posted consistent finishes and built the kind of reputation for steady ball-striking that keeps a player on the road for years. Her best finishes in major championships reflect her ability to compete on the game’s biggest stages, including a T17 at the 2019 Chevron Championship, a T22 at the 2016 Women’s PGA Championship, a T21 at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open, a T22 at the 2020 Women’s British Open, and a T37 at the 2018 Evian Championship.

Over the years, Sharp has returned to the Epson Tour on multiple occasions to maintain her playing privileges and sharpen her game. She competed on the Symetra Tour, the successor name of the Futures Tour, in 2004 and 2005 during her developmental phase and again in 2013 and 2014 to regain momentum. Her willingness to compete wherever necessary has helped extend a career that began in 2003.

In addition to her individual work, Sharp has represented Canada in team competitions, including amateur and professional team appearances. She also competed at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, where she medaled in the individual event, adding a meaningful international achievement to her resume.

Playing Style and Strengths

Sharp is known for a steady, dependable approach built around accurate iron play and reliable course management. Her background on developmental circuits taught her the value of patience and smart shot selection, traits that have helped her remain competitive on the LPGA Tour for many seasons. Her consistency off the tee and into greens has allowed her to post quality finishes in majors and regular tour events alike.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among the highlights of Sharp’s career are her best major championship finishes, including the T17 at the 2019 Chevron Championship and the T21 at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open. Her individual medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago stands as a proud moment for the Canadian golfer, and her 2003 Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award remains a defining amateur honor.

Alena Sharp

Across her career, Sharp has compiled nine professional wins according to her record, with one victory on the Epson Tour and eight additional titles on other tours. Her victories span the Cactus Tour, the West Coast Ladies Golf Tour, the Canadian Women’s Tour, and the Epson Tour, reflecting her willingness to compete on multiple circuits throughout her career.

LPGA Tour Highlights

While Sharp has not recorded a victory on the LPGA Tour, her career has been marked by steady performances and a series of strong major championship finishes. Her T17 at the 2019 Chevron Championship, T22 at the 2016 Women’s PGA Championship, and T21 at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open rank among her most notable individual results in full-field LPGA events. Each of those finishes demonstrated her ability to compete with the top players in the world on demanding setups.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond the LPGA Tour, Sharp has collected multiple victories on the West Coast Ladies Golf Tour and the Cactus Tour, as well as titles on the Canadian Women’s Tour. Her medal-winning performance at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago added an international team and individual accomplishment to a career that has spanned more than two decades on professional circuits around North America.

Alena Sharp

Family Background and Personal Life

Sharp is Canadian by birth and nationality, having grown up in Hamilton, Ontario. She has long made her home in Phoenix, Arizona, a popular base for LPGA Tour players because of the favorable year-round weather and access to a wide range of golf courses.

Personal Life

Sharp publicly came out as a lesbian in 2017. Beyond that disclosure, she has kept much of her personal life private, focusing public attention on her professional career and her play on the LPGA Tour.

2025 Season Performance

Heading into the 2025 season, Sharp continues her long tenure on the LPGA Tour as one of the circuit’s experienced Canadian competitors. With more than two decades of professional play behind her, she offers a steady veteran presence in the field and continues to chase her first LPGA Tour victory. Her schedule typically includes a mix of full-field events and majors, where her course management and major-championship experience remain valuable assets.

Sharp’s early-season form and ability to navigate the demanding LPGA Tour schedule will be key storylines to follow in 2025. Her track record of strong major finishes, including her T17 at the 2019 Chevron Championship, suggests she remains capable of contending when the setup suits her game. Consistency and health will likely determine how often she factors into weekend contention.

As one of the longest-tenured Canadians on the LPGA Tour, Sharp also serves as an important figure for the next generation of Canadian golfers. Whether she is competing in regular events or majors, her 2025 campaign adds another chapter to a career defined by longevity, professionalism, and steady play.