Michelle and Jean fail to get LPGA Tour cards

PETALING JAYA: It was the end of the road for Malaysian golfers Michelle Koh (pic) and Jean Chua in their pursuit of US LPGA Tour cards for next season.

Neither of them managed to make the top-80 cut in the second stage of the Qualifying School at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida, on Sunday.

Michelle failed to build on her triumph at the Kenda Tire TLPGA Open in Taipei three weeks ago, closing with a dismal six-over 78 for a 15-over 303 to be joint 105th.

It was a huge disappointment for the 26-year-old as she had started the day one shot above the projected cut-line.

United States-based Jean, who reached the final stage last year, fared worse as she posted an 80 to tie for 146th on 20-over 308.

Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord carded an 11-under 277 to win the 193-woman competition. She will lead 84 other qualifiers from 29 countries into the third and final stage in Daytona, Florida, from Dec 1-4. Only the top 20 will earn cards to play on the lucrative Tour.

By completing the 72-hole second stage, Michelle is eligible to compete in the second-tier Symetra Tour next season.

Jean remains a Symetra Tour member, having finished 100th in this season’s money list. Only the top 120 retain their cards for next season.

Michelle and Jean will now switch their focus to the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia which starts at the TPC Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.