Shean Lewis finish under par in LPGA event

ROGERS — Arkansas junior Kelli Shean capped off her first LPGA event with a 2-under 69 to finish 1-under at the LPGA’s p&g Beauty NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club.

Shean, who won the qualifier on Tuesday, started her final round on the 10th tee and made the turn with an even par 35. She would add a pair of birdies en route to a 2-under 34 over her final nine holes to finish in red figures

“I’m very happy with the way I came back.”, noted Shean following her round. “To be able to get 6 shots back on this course in the last couple days is really exciting. It’s probably the most exciting tournament I’ve ever played.”

It was quite an accomplish this weekend for Shean, the only amateur in the field, as she became the first amateur to qualify for an LPGA event this season and then make the cut.

“I think this summer and especially this tournament my confidence has come back again.”said Shean. “So hopefully it stays like that because I think we have a fantastic team this year and I can’t wait for our season to start.”

“It’s been so exciting and so much fun to watch the girls go out and compete in this event.”, said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “A great experience for Kelli. She played amazing golf the last two days and it was a lot of fun to watch. I think it’s a window into what she’s going to do this season so I’m really excited about that.”

Former Razorback Stacy Lewis carded a even par 71 in the final round to finish the tournament at 2-under par.

“It was an ok week.”, said Lewis following her round. “I didn’t do anything great but I played solid and I had a lot of fun so I guess that’s all that matters.”

“She’s just solid.”, noted Estes-Taylor. “She struggled a little bit the first day but played some good golf on the weekend.”

The last groups remain on the course with Jiyai Shin currently the leader in the clubhouse at 9-under par.

Shean and the Razorback women’s golf team open the 2009-10 season Saturday at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico.