Story No. 5 – Runas Storms into the Volvik Race for the Card Top 10
It happened every season since 2006 so there was a good chance it would happen in Daytona in 2014. Someone from outside the top 10 always seems to jump into the top 10 on the final day of the year.
It was Demi Runas in 2014. She was 15th entering the event and wasn’t really in great position to make the leap heading into the final round.
In fact, she was in a tie for 21st, eight shots off the lead with one round to play. Safe to say she needed the round of her life to even be in the conversation for her LPGA Tour card.
Let’s back up for a second. Runas was bit by a fire ant earlier in the week and was limping around the course during her middle rounds. She had to go the emergency room to try and reduce the swelling.
On Sunday, she carded a 7-under 65 to actually move all the way up to a 3-way playoff. She lost the playoff to Marita Engzelius, but moved to 9th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list to get her card.
“It’s unbelievable, I don’t think it has set in yet,” said Runas after finding out she had officially moved into the top 10. “I didn’t know I made it until the girls rushed me and told me after the playoff. Kendall (Dye) said it best; dreams do come true if you work at them. It was only my rookie year and I feel like it went by so quickly and now I am going to be a rookie again on the LPGA.”
Runas had a very strong rookie year with five top 10 results including two second place finishes.
“I feel like everyone knew before I did. It was the best surprise that I’ve ever had actually. It means the world to me. This is what you work for and what you dream about and to have it finally happen is just a dream come true.”
In her words...
So much happened that week in Daytona. Between the stress of season coming to a close, my insect-bite-induced swollen ankle, and the hospital visit, to eventually getting my card, it was almost like I was in a dream.
I chose to forgo checking the money list heading into Tour Championship. I was stressed enough, so I figured it would do me more harm than good. I was 3-under through three rounds. I had barely checked scores, but knew I was going into the final round 7 strokes behind the leaders – not exactly ideal. I remember feeling a little off when I woke up the morning of the final day: like my mind was in a fog. The sensation stuck with me into the start of the round. Walking down the first fairway, I recall my caddie telling me, “Don’t worry, we have a lot of golf left”.
I pared the first three holes, and on hole No. 4 I chipped in for birdie – that was my alarm clock. Suddenly I was awake, aware and excited. I didn’t know where I stood in relation to the leaders, but I knew I could put together a solid finish. I birdied 8 and 9 to make the turn at 6-under for the event. I decided to peak at the scoreboard on 9. The leaders had just teed off, and I was 4 back. I thought, “Why not try and get to 9under? That might make things interesting”. I went on to birdie 10 and 11 – 8-under. I didn’t want to look at a scoreboard until 18, so I had no idea where the leaders were, but I did notice cameras following my group on 15. I figured that meant I was somewhat close. I made a great putt on 17 to move to 9under. I remember being so nervous on the tee of 18. I hit my drive into the fairway bunker, but reminded myself to stay calm because it was a short par5. I laid up and then hit my approach shot to 2ft. I marked my ball on the green and looked up at the board, the leaders were at 10under, and I was about to join them.
After making birdie on 18, I had to wait an hour for the field to finish. Eventually I found out I was in the playoff. My caddie didn’t mention the money list standings to me at the end of regulation. In all honesty, I forgot the LPGA card; all I could focus on was the playoff. After we finished, I remember walking off the green thinking to myself, “Well, that was a fun way to end the season”. At that point, my friends rushed me saying, “Congratulations!!! You got your card!!” In that moment, it all hit me. I broke into tears. I shot a final round 65 in the last event of the year to get myself into a playoff that secured me an LPGA card for 2015. It was the craziest and most exciting day in my golf career so far, and definitely one I will never forget!
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