KENT'S Karen Stupples lifted her season's earnings on the US Women's golf tour to $289,987 (£193,324) with a fourth-place finish in the State Farm Classic.

The 30-year-old Deal professional collected a cheque for $61,647 (£41,098) after finishing four shots behind the winner, American Candie Kung.

Stupples obviously likes the par-72 Rail Farm GC course in Springfield, Illinois, having finished joint 8th in the same tournament in her rookie year on the LPGA tour in 1999.

This time, she finished with a 10-under-par total of 206 after shooting rounds of 69, 69 and 68. Sunday's fourth round had to be cancelled because of heavy rain.

Karen's father Alan, who lives in James Hall Gardens, Deal, said: "Karen was lying third before Sunday's final round, and she was disappointed when it was washed out because she had a chance of winning."

Stupples, who finished joint 12th in last month's British Women's Open, now stands just outside the top 30 on the US Tour money list.