NI & # 039; s Meadow retains LPGA Tour card for 2020

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Stephanie Meadow ended in a tie for the sixth to secure her game privileges

Stephanie Meadow from Northern Ireland retained her LPGA Tour card for 2020 after a dramatic finish for the Volunteers of America Classic.

Meadow, 27, birdied her last two holes at the Texas tournament to secure her playing rights for next season.

That included a 25-foot putt on the latter which meant that the Jordanstown resident ended in a tie for sixth, eight shots behind winner Cheyenne Knight.

Meadow, which had to finish in the top 100, was 99th on the money list.

After a quick start of the week with an opening round of 63, Meadow faded somewhat rounds of 71 and 73.

She started Sunday with back-to-back birdies and, although a bogey at the Fifth her momentum temporarily stopped, further birdies on the ninth and 13th brought her into a strong position.

Although her eagle on the 1 putt 7th slid past, she made birdie and supported it with another on the last hole to card a four-under 67 to end in 10 under par.

Meadow hit the sky in delight while her birdie putt fell into the hole on the 18th.

Knight shot a five-under-par 66 on the last day to reach her first LPGA Tour event at 18.

The Georgia Hall in England also shot a final round of 66 to end in a shared fourth place.

Meadow & # 39; s countryman Leona Maguire had previously secured his graduation for the LPGA Tour with a fifth place at the Symetra Tour Championship.