Meadow chasing maiden LPGA win in China
Stephanie Meadow birdied four of her last six holes to keep alive her hopes of a maiden LPGA Tour win in the $2.2 million Blue Bay LPGA in China.
While she won the 2019 ISPS Handa World Invitational in 2019, it was not sanctioned by the LPGA until 2021.
Now 32, Meadow will have a chance to notch her first official LPGA win after she added a four-under 68 to her opening 70 to go into the weekend tied for sixth on six-under.
She’s just three strokes behind Korea’s Na Rin An, who shot 65, and American Sarah Schmelzel, who carded a 69, to leave them one clear of Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi.
“It was really nice to birdie 17 and 18,” said Meadow, who turned in level par before following birdies at the 10th, 13th and 14th with a bogey at the 15th.
“I hit the ball really solid. It was a little bit gusty out there today, so you’ve got to play smart.
“I was really happy with how I hit the ball today.”
The former Curtis Cup star is making just her second start of the season, having finished tied for 49th in the LPGA Drive On Championship in late January.
She married long-time boyfriend Kyle Kallan in April last year and enjoyed a solid season, finishing tied for third in the KPMG Women’s PGA.
She’s spent the last six weeks practicing at home in Arizona and it appears to have paid off.
“Not a whole lot,” she said of what she’s been doing since her 2024 debut in Florida. “Just family. We got a new puppy, so we have two puppies now. Just spend time with my husband and practising as much as I could.”
After two solid rounds, she’s looking forward to challenging over the weekend at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club in Hainan province.
“It's one of those golf courses you have to hit solid iron shots in and position yourself well with how undulating the greens are,” Meadow said.
“But, again, it's all to play for on the weekend. Just put some good shots together and see where it goes.”
After ten years on tour, she’s unsure how many years she has left but hopes the best is yet to come.
Asked what keeps her going, she said: “That's a great question. I don't know, this is what I've always dreamed of doing.
“I can't imagine -- obviously at some point I'll stop, but I am just really thankful to still be out here and have such a long career, and hopefully I can make my last few years even better than the first ten.”
