MEADOW READY TO COMPLETE HER LPGA RETURN

STEPHANIE MEADOW feels ready to make her mark on the LPGA Tour next season after surging to second on the Symetra Tour money list after her first 12 starts, WRITES BRIAN KEOGH.

The Jordanstown native (26) needs to finish in the top 10 in the money list on the second-tier US circuit to guarantee her return to the top flight in 2019.

And she’s right back on track now after moving to second in the ‘Volvik Race for the Card’ following last week’s play-off defeat in the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic in New York.

“I am enjoying being in contention a lot this year, and I am learning a lot this year too,” said a fully-fit Meadow, who won the IOA Championship in a play-off in April and aims to win three times this year.

The former US college star suffered an L5 pars stress fracture in her lower spine and lost her LPGA Tour card last year. But she’s now fit again and believes her experience will stand to her if she goes on to graduate from the Symetra Tour this term.

She joins Leona Maguire in the Fuccillo Kia Classic in Albany this week and while the Cavan star has missed two of her last three cuts, Meadow has no fears for her former amateur team-mate.

“I know how it works, I know the courses, and I know what to expect,” Meadow said.

“Coming out of college, it’s a different world out here. But Leona is a great player and she will probably bounce back pretty quickly.”