Date: December 13, 2010
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Whitaker guarantees LPGA Tour status

LPGA Q-School Scoreboard Recent Golf Australia National Squad member Alison Whitaker has secured a sensational first year of her professional career at LPGA Q-School Final Qualifying overnight. After five gruelling rounds, Whitaker finished with rounds of 72-78-72-71-71 to be at 4-over par and secure Priority Category List 11 exemptions. The Victorian, who has already secured her Duramed Futures Tour card, finished just two strokes outside the fully-exempt bracket. Priority Category List 11 will ensure Whitaker has a number of starts on the LPGA Tour in 2011. Korean Aree Song was the Q-School medallist, finishing at 6-under par, two strokes ahead of American amateur Jessica Korda who was fighting to be the first amateur in history to win the LPGA Q-School tournament. Whitaker completed her studies earlier in the year at Duke University and finished in a tie for 21st at the Handa Women&aposs Australian Open in March as an amateur. A former Victorian Women&aposs Amateur champion, Whitaker won the Colorado Open and the UCF Challenge on the NCAA circuit during her time in the US.