Stephanie Meadow has been given an LPGA Tour lifeline with news that she and Maria Fassi will receive sponsor exemptions to compete in the 2021 Pelican Women’s Championship presented by Konica Minolta and Raymond James, taking place November 11-14 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
Jordanstown pro Meadow has struggled for much of the year off the back of her most consistent campaign in 2020. Currently in 101st on the Race to CME Globe, Meadow needs to break back into the top-80 on the money-list to retain her full status to the tour but will be buoyed by her performance at the tournament 12 months ago when recording her career-best finish on the LPGA Tour with a tied-third result.
Meadow, along with Fassi, is a two-time Olympian, finishing 7th in the women’s golf competition in August at the 2021 Summer Olympics. The two-time Symetra Tour winner and 2015 Heather Farr Perseverance Award winner for her resilience after the passing of her father, has made the cut in 10 of 19 events in 2021, highlighted by a 6th place finish at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
Meadow was University of Alabama’s first four-time first-team All-American, and left Alabama as the career record holder in most every category, including nine victories – three times more than anyone else in school history.
“We are excited that Maria and Stephanie will be joining the field at the Pelican Women’s Championship,” said Marci Doyle, executive director of the Pelican Women’s Championship.
“Maria has had a strong second half of her season and Stephanie is hoping to replicate her play at the 2020 Pelican Women’s Championship. They are outstanding players who also have a tremendous passion for growing the game.”
Tournament officials also announced that former World No. 1 (currently No. 7) and multiple major champion Lydia Ko has committed to the Pelican Women’s Championship. Ko has nine top-10 finishes in 18 events played in 2021, including a victory at the LOTTE Championship and three runner-up finishes. She most recently finished T3 at the BMW Ladies Championship.
With Ko’s entry into the field, eight of the top-10 in the world are now entered into the Pelican Women’s Championship, the final full-field event of the 2021 LPGA Tour season. Joining them in the field are previous commitments Jin Young Ko (World No. 1), Nelly Korda (No. 2), sister Jessica, 2020 champion Sei Young Kim, major champions Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson, and fan favourites/Tampa Bay area residents Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Altomare while Leona Maguire is also in the field.
- For a complete list of tournament entries, click HERE
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