(December 6 2004) English Open Champion Maria Hjorth headed the European challenge at the final qualifying for the LPGA Tour and regained her full playing privileges for 2005 with a steady display over four rounds, finishing tied for 12th spot.
Hjorth carded rounds of 73, 68, 70, 75 and 73 to close on one under par, ten shots adrift of Paula Creamer, the standout American amateur who began her career with a bang.
It had been a poor year for the former Solheim Cup star and after struggling in the USA in the early part of the season, Hjorth returned to Europe and impressed at the English Open, winning by a record margin and fending off challenges from Laura Davies and Karen Stupples.
But she had to return to LPGA Tour school to reclaim her position in the Tour which boasts the very best players in women’s golf and will be relieved to hold cards on both sides of the Atlantic once again.
Spanish and French Open Champion Stephanie Arricau also claimed full playing rights on next year’s LPGA Tour. The Frenchwoman closed with a 20th place finish to become the only other player from the LET to gain a full card.
But Scotland’s Vikki Laing and Miriam Nagl from Germany gained high rankings in the non-exempt category with second and third place respectively. And Lara Tadiotto from Belgium will have the opportunity to play in some LPGA events with an 11th placed non-exempt card.
Marlene Hedblom from Sweden, the former Biarritz Ladies Open winner, will also have conditional playing rights once again in 2005 and Karine Icher from France finished with the 25th non-exempt card. Also keeping their cards were Swedes Charlotta Sörenstam and Mikaela Parmlid.
Sadly, former WPGA Championship of Europe winner Asa Gottmo missed the cut after four rounds, as did Scotland’s Kathryn Marshall, Tullia Calzavara from Italy, Susie Parry from the USA, Cherie Byrnes from Australia and Portuguese Open winner Cecilia Ekelundh from Sweden.
For all results, click on LPGA.com Q-School Final Results
