Stephanie regains LPGA Tour card as Leona heads for Q-School
Stephanie Meadow on the sixth LPGA Tour card awarded to the leading money winners on the Symetra Tour this season.
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.