Kelly picks up first pay cheque after five missed cuts

PETALING JAYA: Kelly Tan finally picked up her first pay cheque on the US LPGA Tour after five failed attempts.

The 23-year-old Malaysian shot a final round three-over 75 to finish on one-under 287 at the Volvik Championship in Michigan on Sunday. Kelly tied with six others – including world No.4 American Lexi Thompson – in 65th place in the 144-player field at the Travis Pointe Country Club in Michigan.

China’s Feng Shanshan carded a four-under 68 to finish on 19-under 269 for a onestroke win over Australia’s Lee Minjee and South Korean Park Sung-hyun.

Kelly’s efforts in her eighth appearance of the season earned her US$2,721 (RM11,600) in the US$1.3mil (RM5.58mil) championship. It was her first pay cheque in nearly three months after missing five straight cuts at the Founders Cup, Kia Classic, Lotte Championship, Texas Shootout and Kingsmill Championship.

She is placed 109th on the money list with US$19,774 (RM84,400). Kelly needs to finish inside the top 80 at the end of the season to secure full playing status in 2018.

Next up for Kelly is the US$1.5mil (RM6.4mil) ShopRite LPGA Classic which starts in New Jersey on Thursday.