Golf: Bristow to play on LPGA Tour

NZ amateur Cathryn Bristow has gained restricted playing rights on the LPGA Tour. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

United States-based golfer Cathryn Bristow has become just the third New Zealander to gain entry to the LPGA Tour.

Bristow, who represented New Zealand at last year's Espirito Santo world teams championship, finished in a share of 22nd place in the five-round final qualifying school in Florida today to follow in the footsteps of Marilyn Smith and Marnie McGuire on to the LPGA Tour.

The University of Oregon graduate missed by one shot in gaining her full playing rights to the LPGA which will limit automatic entry to the biggest tournaments on the circuit next year.

"At first when I saw I had missed by one shot for the top-20 I was disappointed. But once I had time to take it in and realise what it meant and that I had got my card for next year I was overwhelmed," Bristow said.

"It's pretty cool. I am very excited and to tell the truth it's not sunk in yet. This is exciting for me personally but when I found out that I am just the third New Zealander to do it is great. To represent New Zealand on the Tour next year is doubly exciting and I'd like to think we will have a few more in the years to come."

Bristow, 25, fired a final round even-par 72 for a five round total of one-over par at Daytona Beach GC in Florida, and produced some consistent performances in the tough five-rounder.

"I played really well this week. In the main I hit the ball well. The key was my putting though. I really putted exceptionally and made some key putts that kept me in there."

The University of Oregon graduate said she had to keep calm in today's vital final round.

"I thought about a score that I had to make. Then I just told myself that I could not think about that and put any ideas of that out of my mind. I was nervous but also excited about today. I just tried to enjoy it and have fun."

The left hander returns home to Auckland next week to take some time out before preparing for a return to the United States next year, where she hopes to base herself in Houston, Texas.

Bristow, who competed in the inaugural Women's New Zealand Open this year as an amateur, is keen to compete in the event which could be her professional debut at the new Pegasus course near Christchurch in February.

"I've been following progress and heard about it. I would love to be able to play in it again. It was fantastic to be part of it in Clearwater and I think that experience playing in that environment helped me today."

A number of European players, including current New Zealand Open champion Gwladys Nocera, also gained their cards for the LPGA.

Bristow was New Zealand's leading amateur last year, finishing fifth individual in the Queen Sirikit Asia Pacific Teams and was the leading New Zealander in the Espirito Santo tournament.

- NZPA