Amy Olson, the winner who came second

Amy Olson, the winner who came second

By Neville Idour

I was going to write an overall look back at 2020 “the year that almost never was” but decided who needs it.

Instead I thought why not acknowledge what I felt was the shining beacon of performance in golf during 2020.

Of course I’m referring to United States’ golfer Amy Olson’s moving effort in last December’s US Women’s Open.

This was a classic case of being a winner without collecting the trophy. There was so much to admire it is difficult to know where to start.

Born in 1992 she enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career winning an National Collegiate Athletic Association record 20 collegiate events before turning professional and having her LPGA rookie year in 2014. The US Women’s Open in December was her 147th start without a win.

The year of 2020 had produced a second at the Australian Open and a seventh at the Scottish Open from 15 starts. In 2019 there were just two top 10s. Her modest consistency had allowed her to continue putting in solid performances without getting a win.

Some of her better efforts have been in major championships. In 2018 she finished ninth at the ANA Inspiration and second at the Evian in France after a double bogey on the last hole turned a one shot win into a one shot loss.

However the sun seemed to be shining on her at the 2020 US Open as she played some near flawless golf to be either top or close to the lead for the first three rounds. Could this be her first win? A hole in one on the 16th hole in the first round was a standout. However after three rounds she was one shot behind Hinako Shibuno.

This was when the real drama started and what a sad, yet uplifting, story it would turn out to be. Just hours after the third round she would learn of the sudden and unexpected death of her father-in-law who she was very close to.

What to do? Clearly her husband and family must have encouraged her to somehow play the final round as rushing home was not going to make a difference. Of course her husband Grant had returned home. So her physical support was gone.

Adding to her anguish was the postponement of the final round till Monday. No one could have expected what would unfold on that day. She could not possibly contend let alone win.

She teed off at 10.35am and bogeyed three of her first four holes to slip well off the lead … end of story?

Not likely. Olson said later: “I felt weak and helpless the last couple of days. I believe my faith carried me through and it makes you realise how much bigger life is than golf.”

So it was either sink or swim.

Olson, playing through constant tears, maintained her always pleasant countenance and bounced back with two birdies to again take the lead. For four hours she battled away, showing the world that even though it is just a game she was not giving up and would fight for her family, especially her father-in-law who she knew would have wanted her to do just that.

With three holes to go she was looking a likely winner. However, a bogey on No 16 was the killer as well as the unexpected and almost unbelievable consecutive birdie run that propelled A Lim Kim from nowhere to a one shot win over Olson.

When Olson’s final putt dropped her face spoke volumes as she stood with her caddie. The tears flowed as she looked up and the world stood still as the enormity of the effort must have engulfed her.

At the news conference afterwards she reflected: “I knew I had to stay mentally disciplined just to get through the day. I allowed myself to think about what I’m grateful for. Throughout the round the lyrics of You Raise Me Up ran through my head. With every shot or challenge I would repeat the lyrics you raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

The 2020 covid ravaged year has been a tough one for so many people. Yet stories like this on the sporting field can inspire others even though it is just a sport. She showed for all to see, unbreakable spirit and resilience through her heartbreak and her light shone without letup in the darkness of a loved one’s death. Being able to watch her drama unfold on television would have inspired many.

Above all Olson has an endearing personality and is clearly held in the highest regard as a person and player. Yes she has proved you can be a huge winner even though she came second. One can only wish her the best for 2021 and maybe that elusive win.