BELLEAIR, Fla. — While the top of the leaderboard at the LPGA’s Pelican Women’s Championship featured a thrilling shootout between America’s best – Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson – the battle going on down the board had just as much at stake, maybe more.
Rookie Morgane Metraux came into the penultimate event of the season in the 101st place on the Race to CME Globe points list, one position outside of keeping her card. When asked whether she feels more pressure playing to win or keep her card, Metraux, who has won on both the LET and Epson Tour, didn’t hesitate.
“Playing to keep your job 100 percent,” said Metraux, who vaulted up the standings with a T-4 finish at Pelican. “The thing is for me, playing to win you already feel like you’re obviously playing really well if you’re in a position to win the tournament, so you can build confidence on that.
“If you’re playing to keep your job it means you haven’t done quite as good. So I think it’s more pressure. It’s like playing to make the cut on the last hole versus playing to win the tournament. They’re both pressure, but I think the pressure of making the cut is actually harder.”
Meanwhile, Gerina Mendoza was projected to finish 100th on the CME when she got to the difficult par-4 18th, but found the water and made double-bogey, dropping to No. 102.
LPGA cards weren’t the only thing on the line. Players were also vying to finish inside the top 63 of the points list to qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. Only 60 qualify for the event, but three players – Jessica Korda, Linn Grant and Inbee Park – will not compete next week. The winner of the CME will earn a record $2 million.
Here’s a look at some of the highs and lows from a dramatic day in Belleaire, Florida (with final CME ranking):