KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 25, 2023

Stephanie Meadow

Baltusrol Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Stephanie Meadow. To be in the final group on the last day of a major with one of your best friends also in the group, as you walk away from Baltusrol, how are you feeling?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, it's been a fantastic week. Everything about this tournament is always top-notch, and this year was no exception. Obviously not the outcome that either Leona or I wanted today, but we fought hard, and we did our best.

Q. Looked like you had some good swings and were getting some good looks. What was it like being in the middle of all that trying to get some birdies going to chase?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, it was kind of like I had a little rough patch in the middle there and then I got it going and I had some birdie putts, and I couldn't get anything -- I wasn't even really reading greens that well today, which is unusual for me.

But still, I hit some great shots to give myself some birdie looks, and then obviously it was really nice to make the one on 17 after it spun back off the green.

Overall I'm happy that I gave myself the opportunity, gave myself some looks coming down the stretch.

Q. I guess you rode a little bit of a roller coaster on 18. What was it like going through the moments there?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, obviously that was not my career best shot there on the second. Yeah, I got lucky, and I knew it, and I still tried to make birdie. Sometimes the golf gods are in your favor and sometimes they're not, so they were looking out for me right there, but I'll just wipe that from the memory for now.

Q. Can you tell us what happened? What was that shot?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: I had to kind of -- it was one of those shots where I had to hit it absolutely perfect to get to the front, and I knew that, and I think I tried to swing a little too hard and it was a little bit of a downhill lie. Yeah, it happens. Best players in the world can do it. I just got really lucky.

Q. I'd say maybe you're human?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, exactly.

Q. The fact that you had a birdie putt after that, that was a relief?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Absolutely, yeah. It could have been way worse. Yeah, it was great to have that putt. The third shot was a really solid shot, so out of the rough to give myself a good look. But it happens.

Q. Your best result in a major here this week, what does that say about how well you're playing and how you look at the next majors coming up?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, absolutely. It's been a long time since 2014. Did I finish third, tied third?

Q. Yeah.

STEPHANIE MEADOW: To get that again, it's been a long journey and a lot of ups and downs personally and professionally. Yeah, I'm proud of myself. It's been a great week.

Q. I was curious what part of the week as a whole do you think worked the best, looking ahead, that you're excited about in your game?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: I definitely saw some better iron shots in there this week, which was exciting, especially to some tucked right pins, which are not my favorite, so that was good. I've been working on that, so that's nice. Apart from today, I rolled the ball really well, which I tend to do most -- I putt good.

Overall the combination of both is exciting, and my coach flew out here today, which was awesome to have his support. He's on the red eye back now.

Q. What are your overall impressions of Rose Zhang who obviously was in contention here in her first major as a pro?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, obviously she's an incredible player. She had an outstanding college career, and obviously to win in her first event is unbelievable. I have had zero contact with her so far. It's only her second week. I don't think many people know her yet.

But she seems like a great person and a great golfer.

Q. Just wanted to ask about the pace of play in the final group. You guys were put on the clock, correct?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, we were.

Q. What happened there?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, after we restarted, I think we just fell behind really quickly. I looked over, and they were like a hole and a half, two holes in front of us.

But it's part of it. I think nine years being out here, you know how to handle being on the clock. You try not to let it get to you. Certainly makes you rush a little bit here and there, but we caught back up.

Q. Obviously just fell short of the win, but you still come in here with a really positive attitude and a smile on your face. Why is that when you look back at this week?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Well, because it's been a long time since I finished tied for third, and the check is not bad. (Laughter.)

I've had so much support. Like I know that my husband was watching at our country club today with a bunch of people, so I can only imagine the support I had.

I did my best. I laid it all out there, and that's all I can do, and I'm excited to go home for two weeks.

Q. You're such good friends with Leona, and she's going to have better days at majors, but watching her today, was it shocking for you, or was it as simple as it's golf?

STEPHANIE MEADOW: Yeah, it's golf. Pressure was on, obviously. It's hard. Golf is golf. She's had an incredible two weeks. She won last week, and this is her first round in probably eight days, probably more than that, where she hasn't quite put it together. Honestly, it wasn't that far off. She still hit a lot of great shots, she just missed some shots and three-putted a few times.

I know her; she'll be right back to it. I wouldn't be surprised if she does great at the U.S. Open, as well.