Jaye Marie Green wins LPGA Tour Q-school for the second time

You might call it a dubious distinction, but Jaye Marie Green would probably tell you that it proves she can handle pressure.

Green won the final stage of LPGA Tour Q-school on Sunday, taking a one-stroke win at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., in the 90-hole event to earn one of 20 LPGA Tour cards for 2017 offered through the top available priority group, Category 17. Green finished at 13 under par, beating Olafia Kristinsdottir of Iceland.

So, the dubious distinction for Green, who is just 22 years old, is that this is her second-career final-stage win. Back in 2013, Green won the qualifying tournament at a record 29 under par. That makes her the first person to win the final stage twice since the event moved to Daytona Beach in 1991. The experience of winning in the past was more of a help for her than finishing 112th on the money list to land herself in this position.

“I knew I had to play well to get my card and now I know that I can make a putt to win so there are a lot of positives to take away,” she said. “Now I know I can play well under the gun. Going into next year, I have this experience to draw on.”

Green was tied for Kristinsdottir on the final hole, so she made a promise her brother caddie, Matt. If she could birdie the final hole and win, she’d pay Matt $ 1,000. She did it, and he got paid.

“I definitely wanted to win, I think that was a good goal for me,” said Green. “I did not play well so to have a putt to win was great. I felt like a kid on the putting green thinking about a putt to win and I got that oh my gosh feeling. When I saw it going dead center I was like ‘oh my gosh’ I did it and I had to fist pump when I never do. I think he is more excited about the $ 1,000 than the fact that I am going to the LPGA.”

All together, 13 countries were represented in the top 20 players, indicating a growing diversity in the game, and, in particular, the women’s pro game.

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo Sports

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