WEARN WINS SECOND CAREER TITLE, SECURES SPOT IN Q-SERIES
After her first bogey in 32 holes on the par-3 17th this afternoon, Furman University alumna Laura Wearn (Charlotte, North Carolina) responded with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th to cap a 5-under par 67 final round in the Epson Tour Championship and clinch her second career Epson Tour win.
“This is unbelievable,” said Wearn, who ended the season finale at 17-under overall. “This was a tough year for me. I thought maybe if I finish first or second I would have a chance at Q-Series, but didn’t think it would happen. I played some really solid golf this week, had the best host family and was relaxed. The final putt kind of reminded me of the last win I had in Atlanta, a two-putt on 18 and a par-5. Just tried to keep my emotions in check and got the job done.”
With the victory, Wearn collects a winner’s check of $37,500 and vaults to No. 22 in the final Volvik Race for the Card standings to punch her ticket to the second annual LPGA Q-Series later this month. Those from Nos. 11-35 earn automatic exemption into the final stop in the qualifying tournament.
“I played Q-Series last year, and think that experience is going to be huge,” Wearn said. “Knowing what to expect and having already played one of the courses. It’s going to be really nice to rest because last year when I got to Q-Series I was exhausted. In fact, I’m supposed to be driving to Tampa right now to catch a flight, so this is the happiest I’ve ever been to miss a flight.”
DELACOUR CAPTURES PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
By finishing tied for 14th in the Epson Tour Championship on the Jones Course at LPGA International, Perrine Delacour (Paris, France) cashed $3,861 and added Player of the Year honors to her stellar 2019 resume.
The result was Delacour’s 12th top-15 in 20 starts and helped end her season at $125,042 total earnings. Two wins highlighted the outstanding campaign for the 25-year-old, as she claimed her first pro title at the Four Winds Invitational and then found the winner’s circle in the Prasco Charity Championship.
“I am really happy about earning the Player of the Year title,” Delacour said. “Especially after last year in Q-Series and missing out on my card there, I learned a lot about myself this season and built confidence for when I’m back on the LPGA Tour. Patty [Tavatanakit] also had a great rookie campaign and made me work until the very last putt on No. 18 today. Now I can celebrate and start planning for 2020.”
FINAL VOLVIK RACE FOR THE CARD TOP-10
Following the 23rd and final tournament of the 2019 Epson Tour season, the Volvik Race for the Card is official, and 10 players have earned a LPGA Tour card for the 2020 season.
The victory and $37,500 winner’s check move Wearn up 43 spots to No. 22 with $54,163 earned in 21 total starts this season. Below is a look at the 10 individuals that secured full LPGA membership for next year with their finish in the top-10.
1. Perrine Delacour (Paris, France) - $125,042
2. Patty Tavatanakit (Bangkok, Thailand) - $117,518
3. Jenny Coleman (Rolling Hills Estates, California) - $104,840
4. Ssu-Chia Cheng (Taipei, Chinese Taipei) - $99,232
5. Jillian Hollis (Rocky River, Ohio) - $98,044
6. Julieta Granada (Asuncion, Paraguay) - $94,343
7. Leona Maguire (County Cavan, Ireland) - $92,517
8. Robynn Ree (Redondo Beach, California) - $90,518
9. Esther Lee (Los Alamitos, California) - $87,360
10. Mind Muangkhumsakul (Banphai, Thailand) - $81,046
NOTABLE QUOTES
Jenny Coleman (-16, T2) on a strong finish to the year:
“It was awesome. I played steady today. Driver was pretty solid, approaches were phenomenal. All week I was hitting my approaches good, made it easy to give myself birdie putts instead of trying to get up and down, or just lag it. Especially out here today when it was windy, stuffing a few shots was nice to keep it easy and calm.”
Janie Jackson (-16, T2) on 8-under par 64 final round to solidify Q-Series exemption:
“I knew today was kind of a big day, but I told myself this morning that I couldn’t think about that. I just had to come out and play golf. I had been right there all week. I told my caddie yesterday that I feel like I wasn’t even playing that good, but I had been inching up every day. So, I knew that if I stayed patient, I’d be able to string some more birdies along. I had a really, really good finish today. Finished birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle, so that’s nice. A really big confidence booster for me.”
Sierra Sims (-12, T6) on her overall effort this week in the Epson Tour Championship:
“It was really exciting. I’ve been working so hard this year, so it’s nice to see it actually pay off. I’m just playing really well, hitting it really well. I’m really hoping to carry it over to Q-School and try to make it to Q-Series.”
PLAYER NOTES
Laura Wearn
- Wearn, 28, is from Charlotte, North Carolina
- Ended her Furman University career with 12 top-10 finishes
- Two-time All-Southern Conference performer for the Paladins
- 101 career starts on the “Road to the LPGA” with 10 top-10 results
- Became a first-time Epson Tour champion at the 2016 Gosling’s Dark ’n Stormy Classic
- In 2013, was a Women’s Southern Amateur finalist and competed in U.S. Women’s Amateur
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