Nataliya Guseva finished The Annika with flair. Needing a strong finish to qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship and a chance at its $4 million first-place prize, Guseva holed out her third shot from 106 yards for birdie at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, to take a share of seventh.
The strong finish at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican put her safely inside the top 60 on the CME points list to book her spot in the season-ending event in Naples, Florida.
Guseva drove it in the fairway bunker and had to lay up to a good number for her 50-degree wedge.
She began the week 64th on the CME points list and ended it 57th.
“Just tried to kind of dialed in, and when I saw the ball kind of rolling and people were starting to scream,” said Guseva, “that was probably one the best feelings.”
The former Miami player became the first Russian to earn her LPGA card for the 2024 season.
On the leaderboard, Guseva plays without a flag as the LPGA follows the International Olympic Committee’s recommendation for Russian athletes.
Guseva, 22, also qualified for the CME as a rookie and finished seventh.
