Tiffany Joh was one of 17 that qualified for the Ricoh Women's British Open on Monday during Final Qualifying at St. Annes Old Links. There were a total of 120 players that competed in the 18-hole qualifier. Linn Grant, an amateur from Sweden, took medalist honors with a brilliant 10-under, 62 while Cloe Frankish finished second with a 6-under, 66.
Joh carded a 3-under, 69 and made it through a 12-person playoff for the final seven spots. Two groups of six went out in the playoff, which lasted four holes, as detailed below. Paula Creamer came up just short and will be the first alternate.
Other LPGA members that qualified include: Laetitia Beck (-4), Robyn Ree (-4), Haeji Kang (-4), Brittany Marchand (-3) and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (-3). Notables that came up a bit short include Beatriz Recari, Morgan Pressel, Gaby Lopez and Christina Kim. The 17 that qualified all shot 3-under or better. Recari fell short with a bogey on the first playoff hole while Pressel shot 1-under, Lopez shot even-par and Kim carded a 1-over.
Joh seems to love playing across the pond on links courses. She had a near fabulous week at Gullane Golf Club in Scotland. After building a three-shot lead into the weekend, an 80 on Saturday derailed her chances at a first career win, but she still managed a tie for eighth. It was her first top ten finish of the year.
The 31-year-old finished T43 at the Ricoh Women's British Open last year. She has made the cut in the major each of the last three years.
Joh made it through the playoff with pars on both holes. Joh had the most grueling day of anyone. She was in the first group out at 6:45 a.m. local time and the playoff finally came to conclusion after 8:00 p.m.
Creamer made par on the first playoff hole and was then competing against seven others for six spots. She was one of three players that made bogey on the second playoff hole while five made par to earn a spot. So, she had to go to a third playoff hole with only one spot left. Brittany Marchand drained a 15-foot birdie putt and then Creamer responded with a 14-footer to extend to a fourth playoff hole. Michele Thompson was eliminated with a par. On the fourth playoff hole, a par three, Creamer was first to play and hit her tee shot into the greenside bunker and made bogey while Marchand hit a beauty to 10-feet and made par to earn the final spot.
The seven that ultimately made it through the playoff are: Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras, Tiffany Joh, Hollie Muse, Lydia Hall, Sideri Vanova, Ludovica Farina and Brittany Marchand.
Four of the 17 that qualified are natives of England including Frankish and Inci Mehmet, who finished second and tied for fourth respectively.
For a full look at the Final Qualifying results, click here.
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