Missed Cut. Missed Cut. Missed Cut.
That’s how the 2017 season started for Madelene Sagstrom. Remember, this is the same person that started 2016 with a 7-under, 65 in her first round on the Epson Tour and then went onto to dominant like no one in history.
Expectations were high, rightly so. Many believed she would fulfill them right away.
“I had a rough start to the year and started to question my game a little,” admitted Sagstrom after her T7 finish at the Kingsmill Championship. “It was so great to feel like I really belong out here and can be fighting at the top. The result from last week is really showing me that I’m doing great things and that things will work themselves out. I’m following my plan and enjoying the ride along the way.”
Sagstrom is starting to find her game on the LPGA at the perfect time with a busy summer coming. She has made the cut in three of her last four starts and posted her first career top 10 finish on Sunday in Williamsburg, Virginia.
“Last week was truly amazing,” said Sagstrom, who won three times on the Epson Tour. “I had so much fun and finishing it off with a top 10 was icing on the cake.”
If you know Sagstrom, it’s all about the process. In a refreshing way, results don’t consume her. She had some bumps in the road physically early in 2017 and is beginning to see the fruits of her labor on the course and in the gym.
“I’ve put a lot of focus on getting my body healthy and fit to be able to perform at my best every week out here (LPGA) and I’m starting to see great results in the consistency of how I hit the ball and my energy,” explained Sagstrom, who moved up to 71st on the LPGA money list with her $33,056 pay day. “Last week was a big step in the right direction.”
In some respects, the best signal that Sagstrom is ready to compete and contend is how she performed in her Sunday pairing with world No. 1 Lydia Ko – a 14-time winner on the LPGA - and a large gallery in tow. Her only prior interaction with Ko was during a practice round.
“It was a blast playing with her and the things she has done in her career so far are amazing and very inspiring,” said Sagstrom. “I’m really proud of how I handled the whole situation and I really look forward to playing with her again.”
If Sagstrom continues to post rounds in the 60’s as she did on Friday and Saturday, no doubt the two will meet again in no time.
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