Competing in her first US LPGA Tour event since gaining a card at the Qualifying School in December, María Parra opened with an excellent four-under 69 (including five birdies on the first 11 holes) to share 15th place.
She struggled to match that form over the next three days (74-71-73) in the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic but still held on for a meritorious joint 69th place and a cheque for $2,783.
Parra was one of four teenagers among the elite top 20 at the School who earned Category 12 status for the 2017 Tour, finishing 11th on her 19th birthday.
Born in Guadiaro (near Sotogrande at the western end of the Costa del Sol), she won the Andalucía Cup and Portugal International last January as an amateur, turned professional in September, and was victorious twice on the Ladies European Tour Access Series secondary circuit to secure her LET card for the new season.
