There was no second day miracle for Banbridge’s Olivia Mehaffey but what she takes away from her first taste of a US Women’s Open may well be worth its weight in gold for years to come.
The Arizona State star added a five-over-par 77 to her opening 76 in Alabama to fall short of the cut-mark on plus nine for her tournament. Having received a late call up to the event on the Sunday night, four inches of rain then followed on Monday, wiping out practice on Tuesday and Wednesday morning at the Shoal Creek venue. In truth, it was always going to be a big ask from there for the promising amateur.
Not that she’d ever make excuses. Speaking to us when the dust had settled on her 36-hole performance, Mehaffey remained grateful for an opportunity that she’d never forget and a learning experience that will stay with her for a very long time.
“This week was great,” she acknowledged of her third venture into Major championship company after two previous Ricoh Women’s British Open starts. “I learned so much about my game and have gained a lot more experience from just getting to play in another Major.”
It was the ease with which she fitted into such an environment that seemed to please her most, but with plenty of goals left to fulfil in her collegiate career at ASU next season, this experience has merely whetted the appetite at the prospect of what’s to come for one of the world’s leading amateurs.
“I feel more comfortable competing on the highest stage than I ever did before,” she continued. “I really enjoyed the week and honestly, I’ve just learned more this week than I ever have and I look forward to trying to put those things to use.”
Mehaffey’s next event is The 40th Curtis Cup Match between the United States and Great Britain & Ireland contested later this week June 8-10, 2018, at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, in Scarsdale, N.Y.
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