Walsh takes huge step towards retaining LPGA card
Lauren Walsh
Kildare’s Lauren Walsh took a massive step towards retaining her LPGA card when she finished a career-best solo third in the ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern in New Jersey.
The Castlewarden rookie (25) was languishing at 158th in the Race to CME Globe standings after making just three of her first seven cuts.
But the touring professional for The Island potentially turned her season around at Seaview Hotel & Golf Club near Atlantic City, carding rounds of 70, 69 and 67 to finish just two shots behind France’s Celine Boutier on seven under.
The former Wake Forest University star (25) pocketed $133,34, the biggest cheque of her career, and jumped to 53rd in the Race to CME Globe standings, all but securing top 100 status and her card for 2027.
It was also a positive week for Leona Maguire ahead of this week’s US Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club and also for Stephanie Meadow.
Maguire (31) closed with a bogey-free, three under 68 to finish joint ninth on four under, albeit in one of the weakest events on tour given that Charley Hull, who missed the cut, was the only member of the world's top 10 in action.
It was just her second top 10 of an erratic LPGA season marked by her battle to bed in swing changes she's making with her new coach, Sean Foley.
The Co Cavan star won $38,302 and moved up two spots to 26th in the season-long standings.
Meadow (34) shot 68 to finish 21st on two under to make her first cheque of the season and claim 137th in the standings.
As for Boutier, she came from four shots behind South Korea’s Soo Bin Joo, carding a five under 66 to win by a shot from Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol on nine under.
“To have a chance to win today is definitely something very special," said the 32-year-old French player who won the ShopRite LPGA five years ago.
"I think it's a great tournament, very special for me, so really excited to be able to have another win here."
“I feel like my game has turned around the last few weeks. I could see it coming together, and I definitely did not expect it to come together this week and today.
"But I'm super excited to be back in the winner's circle."
