Monday December 07, 2009, 10:18 PM

American Amanda Blumenherst fired a four-under par 68 Monday in the final round of the LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament to win the 106-woman showdown that decided 20 tour players for 2010.

Blumenherst finished the storm-interrupted, 90-hole event on nine-under par 351 to defeat compatriot Kate Kempter and Norway's Marianne Skarpnord by two strokes with Paraguay's Julieta Granada fourth on 354.

A total of 13 players from outside the United States were among the 20 who booked their place in next year's LPGA lineup, with the drama surrounding the final spot not ending until after a playoff.

South Korean Lee Il Hee beat American Christi Cano in a playoff for the final tour berth after they shared 20th on level par 360.

Canada's Lisa Meldrum, Spain's Azahara Munoz and Maria Hernandez and American Nicole Jeray all made the 2010 LPGA list on 355, as did Americans Leah Wigger and Nicole Hage and Spaniard Beatriz Recari on 356.

Australian Tamie Durdin, Colombian Mariajo Uribe and American Lucy Kim were in on 357 with Denmark's Iben Tinning qualfiying on 358.

Sharing 16th to sneak in at 359 were Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg, American Liz Janangelo, Spain's Tania Elosegui and France's Gwladys Nocera.

Eight players missed out by a single stroke in the fight for 2010, the most heart-wrenching being Canadian Adrienne White, who fired her worst round of the week at 75 in the last round 75, and Mexican Tanya Dergal, who had a 74 Monday.

Others who finished on 361 included Australian Sarah-Jane Smith, Colombia's Paola Moreno, New Zealand amateur Cathryn Bristow and Americans Jamie Hullett, Nanette Hill and Diana D'Alessio.

© 2009 AFP/sid