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ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Few golfers hold as close an affinity to St. Andrews as Women's Open champion Stacy Lewis. Returning to the home of golf this week, the American star reflected on the shot that still brings a smile to her face years later.
Lewis 5-iron into the 17th green in 2013 that helped secure her first major title – it's the only club she saved from her entire career. That impressive display of touch and skill on the Old Course's iconic Road Hole proved pivotal en route to her eight-under tally.
Added pressure comes with playing the closing stretch with the lead. But Lewis showed her veteran mettle, rallying from five back after 36 holes thanks to a flawless 3-under round on the Saturday when others faltered in treacherous winds. "“It’s by far the best golf shot of my career,” Lewis said Wednesday. “The moment, the pressure, where you are, everything has to come off perfectly."
Stacy Lewis celebrates her win in the 2013 Women's British Open at St. Andrews/ David Cannon
Now back at the historic links where her star shone brightest on golf's grandest stage, Lewis will look to conjure more championship magic. Few know better than her how to thrive under towering expectations at St Andrews.
Stacy Lewis holds fond memories of her championship-clinching heroics at the famed Road Hole. Standing on the 17th tee with work still left to do in 2013, the Texan took flight with a strategic iron that shifted the week's tide.
"On that hole you’re trying to get it down to the bottom of the hill, and if it bounces up, great, and if it doesn’t, you two-putt, and you get out of there," Lewis reflected.
The ensuing tap-in birdie tied her with eventual runner-up Na Yeon Choi, breathing new life into Lewis' title charge. Recounting the pressure-packed scene, she said: "It just came off perfectly and bounced up there the way it was supposed to, and you need that. You need that in this championship. You need some bounces to go the right way."
By the luck of the links, Lewis' ball bounced toideal position. And she knew immediately the pivotal shot was just coming off the way it was meant to. Moments like those, she said, separate champions at championships - especially with the game's richest prizes on the line.
As she returns to the scene of her greatest championships, two-time R&A winner Stacy Lewis welcomes any fortunate breaks that come her way.
"This is probably one of my favorite places in the world to be," Lewis reflected. She cites a clutch Curtis Cup performance in 2008 where an errant drive was saved, setting up a pivotal point.
Twice now, Lewis' St. Andrews celebrations have continued deep into the night at the venerable Dunvegan hotel. Though focused squarely on this week, she smiles at the fond memories created within those sacred walls.
You need luck to win titles, especially majors, and this American knows the value of a well-timed bounce. Should things start going her way again across the classic links, few would be better poised than Lewis to take full advantage.
For Lewis, St. Andrews will always hold a treasured place. "Just love the history of the game and this golf course and this place." she said. One of the game's greats remains in lockstep with a course that has shaped her career.
Don't be surprised if her special partnership with golf's home bears dramatic fruit once more.
Lewis will hope to conjure more Road Hole magic this week. Where her career peaked before, she now aims to add another chapter to a story forever woven into St. Andrews' storied fabric.
