Topped shot on 72nd hole derails pro’s major-title hopes. Here’s what happened

When Stephanie Meadow arrived at Baltusrol’s 18th gap, she had the chance to turn into a legend.

After Ruoning Yin posted eight under for the clubhouse lead on the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Meadow was the one golfer remaining on the course with an opportunity to catch her. At six below, the 31-year-old would wish an eagle on the final to match Yin, however with the 18th enjoying as a reachable par-5, a 3 was not exterior the realm of risk.

Meadow cut up the golf green along with her drive, leaving herself 243 yards to the flagstick. If she may get up-and-down from over two soccer fields away, she may power a playoff. The likelihood was low, however she nonetheless had an opportunity.

With the ball on a slight downslope, Meadow grabbed a fairway wooden and took intention on the pin. She introduced the membership again previous parallel and uncoiled with each ounce of power she may muster.

The ball barely obtained off the bottom. As an alternative of watching her ball soar towards the inexperienced, Meadow grimaced in disgust as she watched it skip towards the water.

“Clearly that was not my profession greatest shot there on the second,” she mentioned.

In a stroke of fine luck, the ball didn’t settle in the water because it skipped throughout the floor and settled on dry land. However after coming to the finisher with an outdoor shot at changing into a serious champ, a topped strategy was not what she had in thoughts.

“I attempted to swing somewhat too exhausting,” Meadow mentioned. “It occurs. Finest gamers on the planet can do it.”

Fortunately for Meadow, she was in a position to save par on the outlet and signal for a one-under 70 for the ultimate spherical. It put the ending touches on a profession week as she matched her career-best main end and earned the most important paycheck of her profession ($423,070).

“The test just isn’t unhealthy,” Meadow mentioned. “I did my greatest. I laid all of it on the market, and that’s all I can do.”

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and modifying. Previous to becoming a member of the workforce at GOLF, he attended the College of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Affiliation, Workforce USA, the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers novice and ladies’s golf. He may be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.