Wichanee Meechai, affectionately known as “Jan” in the U.S., has found herself surprisingly at the top of the leaderboard at the U.S. Women’s Open. Despite typically being plagued with doubt and low confidence, the 31-year-old Thai golfer is playing like she belongs. She's even managing to cope with the eerie feeling that her rental home might be haunted, figuring that if there is a ghost, they can get along just fine.
Highlights from the U.S. Women’s Open:
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Meechai’s Journey:
- Full of doubt and low confidence, Meechai’s honesty is almost to a fault.
- She’s not sure if the rental home she's staying in alone has a ghost, but she thinks they can get along if it does.
- At 3 a.m. on Saturday, she dreamt that she forgot to sign her scorecard, highlighting the stress of the event.
- Despite these doubts, she’s delivered impressive performances, including two big pars late Saturday afternoon for a 1-under 69, sharing the lead.
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Other Contenders:
- Minjee Lee:
- Took advantage of a forward tee with a 6-iron to tap-in range for an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole, staying competitive with key shots, and matching the championship's low score.
- Andrea Lee:
- Played bogey-free on the back nine, with back-to-back birdies getting her into the final group.
- Hinako Shibuno:
- Former British Open champion, had seven birdies for a 66 and was two shots behind.
- Yuka Saso:
- Known for her putter saves and an impressive flop shot over a bunker to a tight pin on the par-3 17th, although she dropped two shots late for a 69.
- Minjee Lee:
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The Stakes:
- Only five players remained under par with a reasonable chance of winning the biggest prize in women’s golf at Lancaster Country Club, a course that demands everything from everyone.
- Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang:
- Among other big stars, missed the cut, leaving behind a tremendous competition on a tough U.S. Open course.
Meechai’s Perspective:
“It's nothing to be afraid of,” Meechai said, putting it all in perspective. “Everyone has the same thing. Just another round of the tournament. Go with it and have fun on the course.”
- Minjee Lee’s Resurgence:
- Four shots behind, Minjee Lee’s remarkable 6-iron shot on No. 7 for eagle got her back into contention.
- Her performance included impressive shots like the one to a scary front left pin on the par-3 12th to 3 feet for birdie.
Exciting Elements:
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$2.4 Million Payoff:
- At stake is a $2.4 million payoff to the winner, the largest in women’s golf.
- Lancaster has had huge galleries all week, similar to 2015, creating an even bigger stage.
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Young Talent:
- 15-year-old Asterisk Talley, the youngest player in the field, played in the third-to-last group but shot 78 to fall out of contention.
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Final Round Anticipation:
- Meechai’s unlikely rise and her calm demeanor, despite the nerves and the competition's pressure, make her journey fascinating to watch.
- Andrea Lee and Minjee Lee's impressive plays and strategic shots add to the thrilling dynamic as they head into the final round.
Meechai’s presence at the top of the leaderboard, despite her past and the pressures of the biggest stage in women’s golf, makes for an exhilarating narrative as the U.S. Women’s Open unfolds.
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