Sweden's Maja Stark has closed with a 10-under 63 to win the ISPS Handa Invitational for her third victory this year on the Ladies European Tour – and this win came with an additional perk.
The tournament was co-sanctioned with the LPGA Tour, with Sunday's victory giving the former Oklahoma State star access to join the LPGA.
"It means the world. That was all I came here for," Stark said. "Like I just wanted that winner's category. I was so nervous. I hate qualifying. It's great that I don't have to do that again."
Stark had started the final round two shots behind Amanda Doherty and quickly seized control with a 31 on the front nine at Galgorm Castle in Northern Ireland.
She had nine birdies through 14 holes and turned a tight race into a rout.
"It's just huge. I finally get to play where I want to be." - Maja Stark.
Stark finished at 20-under 271, five shots clear of Allisen Corpuz, who closed with a 68.
The tournament was held at Galgorm Castle and Massereene, played concurrently with the DP World Tour event.
The men and women competed separately but for the same prize fund, with Stark collecting a career-high $US225,000 ($A315,000).
Stark won two times on the LET late last year, capturing the Women's New South Wales Open and the Amundi German Masters.
The 22-year-old Swede had the option of taking immediate LPGA membership or waiting until 2023 for her rookie year.
"This changes everything. I was going to go to Q-School, and that's just impossible because Q-School would be the week after our final, the tour final, and now I don't have to worry about their anymore, getting over to the U.S. super quick," Stark said of the LPGA Tour..
"So, yes, it's just huge. I finally get to play where I want to be."
The LPGA Tour has nine tournaments left on its schedule before the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in November.
Karis Davidson was the best of the Aussies in a share of 18th at seven-under.
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