Sherlock wins LPGA card

Stephenie Sherlock of Barrie had an amazing Q school and has emerged with her card in hand after posting an E par 72 today to T14 to join Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp and Lisa Meldrum with full status on tour next year

Here is the AP story

The Barrie, Ont., native fought through wind gusts of up to 30 mph, along with rain and temperatures in the mid-50s to card an even par round of 72 on the Champions course at LPGA International. That was one day after shooting her best round of the week on the very same course. The result helped Sherlock climb 13 places into a tie for 14th.

Only the top 20 and ties earned their tour card for 2011.

Sherlock, who turned pro earlier this year, will join fellow Canadians Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp and Lisa Meldrum on the tour next year.

Three other Canadians - Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont., Angela Buzminski of Oshawa, Ont., and Adrienne White of Red Deer, Alta., - missed out on their tour card but finished within the top 40 to secure conditional status for next season.

Shepley posted a final round of 74 to finish in a tie for 30th, missing out on her tour card by three strokes. She will be able to get into Monday qualifiers next season with the potential of getting into some full-field events as well.

Buzminski (75) and White (76) both finished in a tie for 33rd.

Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. (74) finished tied for 52nd, Isabelle Beisiegel of St.Hilaire, Que (77) was tied for 63rd and Seema Sadekar of Toronto (82) finished 73rd.

Aree Song took medallist honours with a 1-over 73 to finish two shots ahead of amateur Jessica Korda, who struggled in the harsh weather elements, carding a 77.

It was the best showing by Song since her runner-up finish at the 2004 Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Korda, a 2010 U.S. Curtis Cup team member and the runner-up in this year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, will turn pro next year but because she is 17, will need a special exemption from the LPGA Tour in order to take full advantage of her tour status in 2011.

Ironically, Song is one of two players ever granted a special exemption to play on the tour at the age of 17.


Bryan Angus