Stephanie Meadow’s best major finish came in her first one as a professional, a third-place showing at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. Sunday at Baltusrol, she played in the final group alongside her longtime friend, Leona Maguire, and veteran Jenny Shin.
Meadow gave herself some chances, but had a difficult time getting birdies to fall. On 18, two shots back, she needed eagle to possibly get into a playoff. She was 243 yards out, up the hill, which was a bit of a reach for her. From a downhill lie, she lined a low fairway metal that splashed into a pond and skipped out. She said she was fortunate to have a birdie putt, and to walk away with par.
“Sometimes the golf gods are in your favor, and sometimes they're not, so they were looking out for me right there,” Meadow said. “But I'll just wipe that from the memory for now.”
With a closing round of 1-under 70, Meadow tied for third place, and had a smile on her face after the round. Why was she smiling?
“Because it's been a long time since I finished tied for third, and the check ($423,070) is not bad,” Meadow said. “I've had so much support. Like I know that my husband (she got married this spring) was watching at our country club today with a bunch of people, so I can only imagine the support I had.
“I did my best. I laid it all out there, and that's all I can do, and I'm excited to go home for two weeks.”
