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Golf

Stephanie Meadow on her rapid rise and representing Ireland?

Listen to the full interview via the podcast They don't do podiums in golf. But if they did Step...



Stephanie Meadow on her rapid...
Golf

Stephanie Meadow on her rapid rise and representing Ireland?

Listen to the full interview via the podcast

They don't do podiums in golf. But if they did Stephanie Meadow had reserved a spot on one of the steps.

The Northern Irish pro golfer finished third at the recent US Women's Open in what was her pro debut.

As her achievement sinks in, the 22-year-old from Jordanstown, Co Antrim joined us on the line to talk about her rise to prominence.

"I'm just glad I could start my professional career like that," said the University of Alabama alumnus, who moved to the United States at 14, having been a member of Portrush Golf Course.

"My parents sacrificed everything and move over here. We don't regret it at all. I was exposed to amazing facilities and some great coaches. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without these set of circumstances that happened when I was younger."

She also explained why it was important to take her education as far as it could go before making the step towards the professional game.

At Alabama, she set a host of records, becoming the first four-time first-team All-American at the University, describing it as the "best four years of my life so far".

And her first US Women's Open also proved to be an early career highlight and she felt he and her caddie had " a good plan" on the Pinehurst No 2 course and added that "to start off like that was like a dream come true."

As for the immediate future, she said: "I'm relying on sponsor exemptions because I don't have any status. We're just seeing where it goes from there. There is a chance I could be back home in the near future, but that's not confirmed yet, so we'll just have to wait and see."  

She also hinted that she may follow Rory McIlroy's lead and represent Ireland at the Olympics should she qualify.

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