Stephanie regains LPGA Tour card as Leona heads for Q-School
Stephanie Meadow completed her remarkable return to the LPGA Tour when she closed with a four-under 68 to finish tied 11th in the on nine-under in the season-ending Symetra Tour Championship at LPGA International’s Jones Course in Daytona Beach.
China’s Ruixin Liu claimed her third win of the season, and back to back victories, when she shot a 71 to win by a stroke from Thailand’s Pavarisa Yoktuan on 19-under par.
The champion claimed the $33,750 winner’s cheque to climb to No. 1 in the Volvik Race for the Card standings and win the Player of the Year honours.
But it was also a great season for Meadow, who won the sixth of ten LPGA Tour cards awarded to the leading money winners with tournament winnings of $70,617, securing her return to the top women’s tour in the world thanks after she lost her playing rights after suffering a stress fracture in her back.
Ruixin, Meadow and England’s Charlotte Thomas, were the only three players in the top-10 that competed in all 21 events.
Leona Maguire, who missed the cut in Daytona Beach, finished 37th in the money list with $28,243 from 13 starts.
She must now tee it up at Stage II of the Qualifying School at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida, from October 13-18.
The top 15-25 players and ties there will advance to the new $150,000Q-Series at Pinehurst Resort from October 22 - November 3.
The LPGA Q-Series is a new two-week tournament which replaces Stage III (Final Stage) of the LPGA/ Symetra Qualifying Tournament to determine LPGA playing status for the following year.
It consists of two 72-hole, stroke-play events held on consecutive weeks. Scores will be cumulative over the two weeks (i.e. if a competitor shoots 4-under in week one, she begins week two at 4-under). There are no cuts in the event.
At a minimum, competitors who finish in positions #1-45, including those tied for 45th place, at the end of Q-Series will receive LPGA Membership in Category 14 on the LPGA Priority List.
Competitors who finish outside of the Top 20, will also receive Symetra Tour Membership in Category C on the Symetra Tour PriorityList.
Volvik Race for the Card standings
1 Ruixin Liu - $124,839
2 Dottie Ardina (Laguna, Philippines) - $97,822
3 Pavarisa Yoktuan - $80,313
4 Elizabeth Szokol (Winnetka, Illinois) - $76,612
5 Linnea Ström (Hovas, Sweden) - $70,685
6 Stephanie Meadow - $70,617
7 Kendall Dye (Edmond, Oklahoma) - $63,579
8 Charlotte Thomas - $60,952
9 Isi Gabsa (Munich, Germany) - $60,386
10 Dana Finkelstein (Chandler, Arizona) - $60,168
37 Leona Maguire (Cavan, Ireland) - $28,243.