Johnson Earns 2005 LPGA Tour Exemption Card
September 01, 2004 | Women's Golf
Former Badger standout Malinda Johnson won the 18th annual York Newspaper Company Future 's Classic last Sunday in York, Pa. Johnson's victory in the season finale not only earned $10,500 but the final card for an exemption on the 2005 LPGA Tour. Her 'graduation day' triumph at Regent's Glen Country Club vaulted her from 11th to fifth on the Future Tour's season money list and into the LPGA Tour.
Johnson's final round of three-under-par 69 tied both players at 207 and forced a one-hole playoff with Kris Tamulis, a recent Florida State graduate. A second attempt at the 18th ' hole determined the winner when Johnson hit her second shot within eight feet with a 105-yard launch from the sand while Tamulis struggled with long-distance putting.
Johnson qualified for the 2005 LPGA Tour along with four others: Aram Cho, Jimin Kang, Nicole Perrot and Lindsey Wright.
The First-Team All-Big Ten team member finished her UW career with a third-place finish at the 2004 NCAA Central Regional with a 54-hole score of 227. Her final round of 71 nearly qualified her for the NCAA Championships. The 2004 UW MVP and Player of the Year owns school records in average (76.19) and season stroke average (74.33).
