Meghan MacLaren reflects on the highs and lows of life on tour in 2018, including representing GB at the European Championships and playing in three Majors.


Meghan Maclaren

 

Meghan MacLaren reflects on the highs and lows of life on tour in 2018, including representing GB at the European Championships and playing in three Majors.

By Meghan MacLaren

TEAM GREAT BRITAIN

When 2018 started, I spent more time than necessary trying to figure out my schedule for the year. Which tournaments, which countries I wanted to play in, how managing my time would enable me to push myself and achieve my goals. Majors, Order of Merits, winning tournaments, world ranking ... they were all dancing around my mind. One thing that never joined that list was representing Great Britain in the European Championships. It was very shortsighted of me...

Finding out that I had qualified (through a points accumulation process) to be in one of the GB teams for the championships at Gleneagles was a far more special moment than I could have anticipated. Tournament golf is one thing, and it’s what every golfer is addicted to, but there is something incredible about team golf; sharing every moment with another player or group of players. I was incredibly lucky to share the experience with a close friend, Michele Thomson. I think it makes a huge difference in this type of format to be comfortable with someone. We had a fantastic week and to come away with two medals, a bronze and a silver, is something neither of us will ever forget.

MAJOR BONUSES

As mentioned in my last column for Women & Golf, one of the doors that opened for me following my win in Australia was entry to some majors. Having recently played in my first Women’s British Open, I was able to bring my Major tally to three with this year’s Evian Championship. If you were to only ever go to one golf tournament, make it the Evian. (I’m excluding the Masters because we don’t all have six grand plus lying around). The views are truly breathtaking. It’s one of those places, no matter what’s going on in your life or on the golf course, Evian makes you feel at peace. And the free beer tent in the middle of the practice facilities certainly went down pretty well with my coaches!

NO STRAIGHT LINES TO SUCCESS

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve missed more cuts this year than I’m comfortable with. Everyone has their ups and downs, but it’s provided a realisation of just how fine the margins are between success and failure. I’ve felt extremely close with my golf all year, but particularly in the last month, and piece by piece it’s falling into place.

One thing that had been costing me was starting tournaments poorly, and giving myself too much to do. In contrast, at Evian, I started a major championship incredibly well and was in the top 3 after 7 or so holes. Even though that’s far too early to be a true indicator of performance, it’s a period of time that shows me what I’m capable of. Similarly, in the Mediterranean Ladies Open I had a spell in the second round where I went birdie, birdie, birdie, eagle (I holed a 7-iron and that was a highlight!). But the way golf can change from forcing your eye to the ‘projected cut’ number on the leaderboard, to flooding you with adrenaline as you realise you’re capable of winning - I guess it’s one of the reasons why this game is so addictive. And also one of the reasons why I’ll continue putting the work in, however long it takes for the jigsaw to become complete.

 

 

 

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