University of North Carolina Athletics
Grice In Sudden-Death Playoff in LPGA Qualifying
December 8, 2014 | Women's Golf
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – Former University of North Carolina golfer Casey Grice stands in a tie for 18th place in the Final Stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. Grice now has to play in a sudden-death playoff for the top 20 spot. Another former Tar Heel, Katherine Perry, also participated and finished the tournament in a tie for 52nd place.
The five-day, 90-hole event was played at LPGA International's Jones and Hill Courses. Grice took an early lead in tournament play cinching the top spot day one and holding it day two. Grice registered two birdies for a 3-over 75 on the final day in a 7-way tie for 18th place with a 4-under 356. Grice participated in a sudden-death playoff for the top twenty spots with five other participants for category 12 status. The play for the top twenty spot was suspended until Monday at 7:30 am due to darkness. Former Tar Heel Perry secured a tie in 52nd place with a 3-over 363. Perry shot 4-over 76 in the final round.
Alison Lee and Minjee Lee jumped into a tie for first in the final round to win the tournament with a 10-under 350. Ariya Jutanugarn and Maria Hernandez finished in a tie for third with a 9-under 351. Ryann O'Toole secured the fifth place spot with a 2-under 352.
This round concluded the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. The 90-hole event began with 154 players vying to win status on the LPGA Tour. The top 20 finishers earned category 12 status on the LPGA priority list, with those finished 21st to 45th picking up category 17 status. Status on the Symetra Tour's priority list is also up for grabs for those who don't earn category 12 or 17 status. The field was cut to the low 70 players, including ties, after 72 holes. The final 18 holes on Sunday determined who got the treasured spots on Tour for the upcoming season.
Grice just concluded a strong rookie season on the Symetra Tour with three top-10 finishes and 15 cuts made in 20 events played. She ranks 24th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. In the final event of the year, Grice tied for fourth place at the Symetra Tour Championship by firing a 9-under-par 279 total. Earlier this year she was presented the ANNIKA Academy Elite Athlete Award.
Grice, from College Station, Texas, was a three-year golf standout at North Carolina, 2010-12 – 2012-13. She was selected Honorable Mention Golfweek All-America in 2012 and 2013 and Honorable Mention NGCA All-America in 2013. Grice was also selected to the All-ACC team in 2012 and 2013.
Perry, a volunteer assistant coach for the Tar Heels from Cary, N.C., tied for 10th place at the Stage II LPGA Qualifying to advance to Stage III, the Final Stage. She finished with a 3-under 285 total at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. A starter for the Tar Heels for the last four years, Perry was selected to the 2012 All-ACC team and was named NGCA All-America Honorable Mention that same year. She was a three-time selection to the All-ACC Academic Women's Golf Team (2012-2014) and chosen to the ACC Honor Roll four times (2011-2014).
During her Tar Heel career, Perry carded seven top-10 and 18 top-25 finishes. Perry had an impressive amateur career as well. She was the 2011 North Carolina Women's Amateur Champion and was the runner-up in 2012. She competed in the 2012 U.S. Women's Open and advanced to the round of 16 at the 2013 North and South Women's Amateur after advancing to the third round in 2011.
-GoHeels.com-
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Players Mentioned
