Stacy Lewis: I don’t know how you ‘top’ Old Course win

Stacy Lewis can count herself as a member of one of golf’s most exclusive clubs.

Despite the Old Course’s rich championship history, the iconic St Andrews links has only hosted the AIG Women’s Open twice.

Lorena Ochoa became the first winner in 2007, before Lewis became the second, six years later.

Over a decade has passed without return, but as the championship rolls back to Fife this week, Lewis insists it will remain the achievement of her life.

“I don’t know how you top that win,” she told bunkered.co.uk, recalling her second major triumph 11 years ago.

“I’ve won a lot of tournaments and several since then, but I don’t know how you top it.

“Winning at the Home of Golf, the way I won it, the shots on 17 and 18, it was storybook and really cool to be a part of history there.

“I’ve won since having my daughter and had some other memorable wins, but you can’t top winning at the Old Course. It was the most special win of my career.”

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Lewis had been trending towards success in the final major of the women’s season. Her results in the years prior read: T31, T11, T8.

But the 2013 renewal was one unlike any other, as high winds on Saturday caused a suspension in play until Sunday morning.

As one of the leaders, Lewis was forced to play 36 holes.

“That day was so long,” she laughed. “It was 36 holes but, 17 and 18 were key. I was able to post a score and see what happened.”

Lewis made birdie on her final two holes and faced an agonising wait of almost an hour for the final pairing to finish.

But her eight-under total was enough to lead Na Yeon Choi and Hee Young Park, who eventually tied for second place at six-under.

Not only did Lewis etch her name into St Andrews history, but she snapped the longest streak in history without an American winning a women’s major title – ten years.

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On reflection, there is one disappointment. Lewis argues it’s ‘sad’ that so many great players weren’t afforded the chance to peg it up at the venue.

“It’s kind of sad that it’s taken us 11 years to get back,” Lewis said.

“To think about how many players have come and gone and haven’t had the opportunity to play there, I’d like to see it be on a more consistent rotation.

“The golf course is great for us but for the guys, lengthwise, it’s maybe run its course a little. But we can still play this thing the way it’s supposed to be played, so I’d like to see us back there more.”

Future venues of the AIG Women’s Open are yet to be announced, although the event will take place at Royal Porthcawl, in Wales, next year.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.