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Stephanie Meadow fired a nine-under 63 to finish in a share of third spot at the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club on Sunday. Just a fortnight after finishing third at the US Women’s Open at Pinehurst on her professional debut and a cheque for €200,000.
Meadow has now proved it was no flash in the pan on her debut in the paid ranks of the Ladies European Tour as she took home just under €28,000.
Her earnings so far look set to earn her a full LPGA card for 2015 in a start to a professional career similar to that of fellow Ulster native Rory McIlroy, who earned his card through sponsor invites when he made the switch .
Meadow’s flawless final round saw the 22-year-old Royal Portrush golfer card nine birdies to equal the course record and catapult her up the leaderboard on the final day.
South Korea’s IK Kim proved a runaway winner of the event after she also carded a 63 on Saturday and followed it up with a closing 68 to finish five strokes clear on 18 under.
Australia’s Nikki Campbell carded a 67 in her final round to finish in second place, with Meadow sharing third spot with South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace (68) and Germany’s Caroline Masson (69).
Meadow put her stunning final round of 63 down to a combination of consistency over a full round and greens that were more receptive following rain.
“I just hit a lot of solid shots. All week I’ve had a good front nine or a good back nine. I just couldn’t put 18 holes together so obviously I did that today,” Meadow told the Ladies European Tour website.
“The greens were a little softer than the first two days. That makes scoring a lot easier and the wind wasn’t too bad today so that made some winds a lot easier. There were less side winds and more downwind and into the wind, so it was a little easier.”
Meadow’s round was all the more amazing as she failed to make any gains at the ninth or 10th, both Par 5s, but she admitted that the putter came to her aid.
“I started off with birdie on two and I made a really long putt on four which was nice. I got the putter going and other than that it was some solid shots and some great putts.”
Meadow received a sponsor’s invite to play at the Ladies European Masters, but must qualify for next weekend’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale.
Meadow plays the final qualifier at Southport and Ainsdale on Monday, with 77 golfers bidding battling out for the 14 spots on offer for the British Open.
In regard to her future plans, Meadow added: “I’m going to qualify for the British Open tomorrow hopefully and after that I’m waiting for some sponsor exemptions to see if I can play LPGA in the States. Goal wise, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing, work harder than ever and see where it puts me.”
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