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May 29, 2011

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Canadian female to play on men's tour

CANADA'S Isabelle Beisiegel has become the first female golfer to earn a playing card on a men's professional tour.

The 32-year-old Montreal native finished equal ninth on Friday in the Canadian Professional Golf Tour's Spring Qualifying School in Parksville, British Columbia, to take one of the last two non-exempt spots.

Beisiegel had a 4-under 68 in the third round, then closed with a 75 in rainy conditions to finish at 8-over 296. She opened with rounds of 75 and 78.

"I still can't believe it. It's a little overwhelming," Beisiegel said. "I went into today just trying not to get ahead of myself. I focused on thinking about where I was and not what could happen. I was assured in the fact that no matter what happened it was going to be OK."

Australia's Andrew Kelly won the event, finishing at 1-under 287.

Beisiegel has previously played in the US PGA Tour qualifying school and tried to qualify for the men's US Open.

Several women have played in individual events on the US and European PGA tours in recent years, including Swedish star Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie of the United States and Laura Davies of England.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias also competed in several PGA Tour events in the 1940s.

Meanwhile in Beijing, Thailand's Patcharajutar Kongkraphan put to rest any talk of a sophomore slump yesterday when she successfully defended her Beijing Pearl Challenge title, winning the US$50,000 tournament, the fourth leg of the China LPGA Tour season.

On the strength of a 5-under-par front nine, the 19-year-old Khon Kaen native carded a final-round 68 at the Orient (Beijing) Pearl Golf Country Club for an 8-under 208 aggregate, four shots better than fellow Thai Porani Chutichai (69) and overnight leader Yao Hsuan-yu (74) of Chinese Taipei.

China's Tian Hong (71) was equal fourth, six shots off the pace, while compatriots Ren Xiaozheng (73) and first-round leader Pan Yanhong (73) were a shot further back. Chinese veteran Yang Hongmei, playing in the final group, closed with bogeys on three of her last four holes for a 74, tied for equal seventh with Thailand's Tanaporn Kongkiakrai (71).



 

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