Stephanie Meadow is thankful her hard work is finally paying off after she matched her career-best performance to makes the season-ending Tour Championship in Florida.

A third-place finish behind Sei Young Kim in the Pelican Women's Championship near Tampa earned the Jordanstown star (28) a cheque for $98,088 (€88,800) and catapulted her to 35th in the Race to CME Globe standings, ensuring her spot in next month's $5 million Tour Championship.

Scores

“Yeah, really pleased,” a delighted Meadow said after a finish that secures her a start in next week’s Volunteers of America Classic in Texas and after moving to 35th in the Race to CME Globe standings, a place in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship next month..

“Scared myself a little bit on 18 there. Ran a putt by but made it and finished solo third. I think that ties my best finish ever. 

“It’s just a lot of hard work paying off. Obviously it's important to thank everyone that's gotten me here. It's not just me. There is a huge team behind me.

“It's been a long journey but a great one. You learn so much about yourself. Golf is one of those things where you always feel like you can do better, but I'm pretty satisfied where I'm right now.”

Kim fired a 70 to win by three shots from American Ally McDonald on 14-under as Meadow mixed five birdies with four bogeys.

She claimed $105,778 before a six percent administration fee and pocketed $98,088 to move from 59th to 35th in the Race to CME Globe standings as Slieve Russell’s Leona Maguire closed with a four-over 74 to finish tied 53rd on seven-over and earn $4,789, falling seven spots to 61st.

Meadow was a reserve for next week’s Volunteers of America Classic, the event where she finished tied sixth last year to keep her card by the skin of her teeth.

Now she can enjoy this week’s Thanksgiving celebrations and head to Dallas

“Just build momentum now," said Meadow, who credited a return to an old college putter for her success in Tampa.

"Whatever it is about it, the specifications suit me perfectly and I have so much more confidence with it,”’ she told Off The Ball. “I put it back in the bag in Georgia about three weeks ago and I could just see it breathe life back into my putting.

"When you start rolling in a few putts, everything else builds momentum from there and I'm hoping I can keep my foot to the ground here and keep going for the rest of the year."

After achieving her goal of securing a place in the Tour Championship, she added: “It's a huge confidence boost and something I'll be able to take into next year.”

As for the winner, KPMG Women’s PGA champion Sei Young Kim’s 12th career LPGA Tour title was never in doubt as she shifted into cruise control and captured a three-stroke victory at 14-under par.

Kim became the first player on the LPGA Tour to win her first start after capturing her first major since Ariya Jutanugarn at the 2016 AIG Women’s Open and CP Women’s Open.

“Win is always great, feels great,” said Kim, who signed for an even par 70 at Pelican Golf Club. “I’m very happy to win my 12th tournament, after winning the major tournament. It means a lot to me.

“My friends sprayed champagne; they put it on my head, t-shirt and everything feel like take a shower in champagne. I’m still smell, yeah, then drink a little bit.”

Kim held a four-shot lead walking to the tee on the par-three ninth but when she made the turn, it was down to three after a bogey. But on No. 14, a bounce-back birdie helped her regain any confidence from the lone blemish on her final-round scorecard.

“Ally [McDonald] was going really good, it could be she chase me,” Kim said. “When I turned after the ninth hole, I was a little bit pressure before I made the birdie. After hole 14, little more comfortable and then good feeling back.

“Starting on hole nine, my feeling just wasn’t good. Not perfect as much as last three days. I tried to get the good feeling back, a little bit of struggling in my instincts. I make the birdie and everything good.”

The win breaks a tie for third with Jiyai Shin (11) on the all-time wins list of players from the Republic of Korea. She now trails only Se Ri Pak (25) and Inbee Park (20). Kim also jumps to No. 18 on the LPGA Tour career money list with earnings of $9,799,895, jumping In Kyung Kim, Amy Yang and Catriona Matthew.

Coming off her first career LPGA Tour win at the LPGA Drive On Championship—Reynolds Lake Oconee, Ally McDonald ended runner-up. The Mississippi State University alumna carded a 2-under 68 to finish at -11 overall. 

Austin Ernst and Lydia Ko tied for fourth at eight-under overall to round out the top five. Four individuals ended in a tie for sixth at -7, including nine-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson.