BELLEAIR FL. — The battle for the bottom of the leaderboard at LPGA’s Pelican Women’s Championship had as much to stake as the shootout between America’s top, Nelly Korda, and Lexi Thompson.
Morgane Metraux, a rookie, entered the penultimate tournament of the season at the 101st position on the Race to CME Globe Points list. This is one position that was not necessary for keeping her card. Metraux, who won both the Epson Tour and the LET, was not afraid to answer questions about whether she feels more pressure to win or keep it.
Metraux said, “Playing to keep you job 100,” and he climbed up the rankings with a T-4 finish at Pelican. “The truth is that playing to win makes you feel great if you are in a position win the tournament. That’s what you should be focusing on.
“If you are playing to keep your job, it means that you haven’t done as well. It’s definitely more pressure. It’s almost like trying to make it to the final hole, rather than winning the tournament. Both are pressures, but the pressure to make the cut is more difficult.
Gerina Mendoza, who was expected to finish 100th on CME, reached the par-4 18th. She found water on the 18th. She made double-bogey and dropped to No. 102.
LPGA cards were not the only thing at stake. To qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, players had to finish within the top 63 points. The event will be attended by 60 players, with three of them – Jessica Korda and Linn Grant – not participating next week. Record $2 million will be awarded to the winner of CME.
Here are some highlights from a dramatic day in Bellaire (Florida) (with final CME ranking).
