Antrim’s Stephanie Meadow could add to Ireland’s recent Major haul tonight in Pinehurst.
In recent years, Ireland has punched way above its weight in golf. Majors came regularly via the talents of Padriag Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy and we basked in the reflected glory.
Now, with a bit of luck tonight, we could add the name of 22-year-old Antrim golfer Stephanie Meadow to that list. The Royal Portrush member sits just four shots off the lead ahead of tonight’s final round of the US Women’s Open at Pinehurst, the same course where the men’s event was played last week.
Meadow had an up-and-down day yesterday, with five birdies and four bogeys but that was enough for a two over par total for the week, four shots back of joint leaders Michelle Wie and Amy Yang.
Wie, arguably one of the biggest names in the port despite never winning a Major, will be under huge pressure to deliver this time while Yang has nine Top 10 finishes in Majors without ever winning one. If the two leaders start to crumble down the stretch, Meadow is perfectly poised to take advantage.
What makes her performance thus far even more remarkable is that it is Meadow’s first event as a pro. Best of luck Stephanie, we’ll be glued to the final round tonight.
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