Sept. 22, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former Kentucky women’s golf team member Mallory Blackwelder finished tied for sixth with a 6-under-par (72-68-67-75) at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Sunday. Blackwelder’s performance lands her a position in the final round of Qualifying School, the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.

Blackwelder, a 2009 graduate, stood tied for second (-9) after three rounds of play. After the fourth round, she safely made the final cut, which takes the top 30 finishers and ties.

The Final Qualifying Tournament is set for Dec. 2-6 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.A 90-hole event, play will take place on LPGA International’s Legends and Champions courses. The cut is set to be made after 72 holes, with the top 70 players advancing.

The top finishers in the final tournament will receive Tournament Division Membership in the LPGA.

Blackwelder, a native of Versailles, Ky., participated in every event for the Wildcats during 2008-09. She finished the season with a team-low 75.52 stroke average. Blackwelder also led Kentucky to a victory at the UTC Lady Mocs Tournament, taking the event’s individual title with a 77. The Southeastern Conference also named Blackwelder SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in April.

Stay tuned to UKAthletics.com for complete coverage of the women’s golf team.