Kelowna’s Samantha Richdale settled for a tie for second place after falling in a three-way playoff on Wednesday at the season-opening tournament on the Canadian Women’s Golf Tour.
Michelle Piyapattra of Corona, Calif. defeated Richdale and Lauren Mielbrecht of Gulf Stream, Florida on the first extra hole at the Morningstar Golf Club in Parksville.
The players finished in a three-way tie for first with two-day scores of 145.
Piyapattra watched both players miss their birdie attempts and confidently converted her short putt for the victory and an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
Richdale and Mielbrecht shared second-place prize money following their playoff losses, each taking home$8,498.18.
Mielbrecht carded the low round of the day at Morningstar with a 1-under 71, while Richdale posted a 3-over 75 to go along with a 70 in the opening round.
Kelowna’s Kyla Inaba finished in 30th spot with a 155 total.
Richdale has been competing this season on the Symetra Tour and is currently ranked 44th on the money list.
The top five players at season’s end will receive their LPGA Tour card for 2015, while the next five will be granted limited exemptions.
