USGA as caddie for World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam . McNamara was on Coughlin ’ s bag in Canada for her first LPGA victory .
“ He ’ s almost like a walking psychologist out there on the golf course ,” said Coughlin , who has pocketed more than $ 1.5 million in prize money this season . “ He ’ s very perceptive and he always seems to know what to say and when to say it .”
It was McNamara who told Coughlin she needed to improve her ball striking from uneven lies , which prompted her to head to UVA ’ s practice facility to work on those shots the week before Evian — which was held on a French golf course notorious for ball-striking nightmares . She also worked on high , soft bunker shots , which had given her trouble in competition .
The result of her tightened focus and productive homework was that Coughlin was in contention at Evian deep into the final round . And that experience translated into knowing how to close out the win in Canada .
“ That happened because Terry saw a weakness in my game and told me to work on it ,” she said . “ I just needed to put in the work to improve .”
She also dialed in her putting earlier this season , using a drill that had been suggested to her by a former Virginia assistant coach years ago . She began working on speed control for different distances and playing not just to avoid making three-putts , but for making birdies .
As a result , by late July , Coughlin had improved from No . 61 in birdies on the 2023 LPGA Tour to No . 6 this year . She also advanced to second-ranked on the LPGA for rounds under par , up from No . 30 earlier in 2024 .
McNamara traveled to Virginia in July to caddie for Coughlin ’ s practice round at the Robert Trent Jones course . She wanted to walk and play the course with the veteran caddie . She wanted to do her homework once again and be ready for the ultimate assignment as Team USA ’ s quiet contender — hopefully welcoming the LPGA ’ s superstars to her home turf .
At No . 4 in the Americans ’ Solheim Cup rankings at the time this article was published , Coughlin competed in the LPGA ’ s final two tournaments that count toward secured top seven spots on the team . With her tournament win in July , her Rolex Ranking improved from 56th to 27th — which could serve as additional team-qualifying criteria .
If Coughlin makes the 2024 U . S . Solheim Cup Team , she will become the first American to play in her home state since Tammie Green played on the American side at the 1998 Solheim Cup held in Ohio at Muirfield Village .
But Coughlin is laser-focused on replacing if with when she makes the squad .
“ Obviously , I want to make the team on points and not have to be a captain ’ s pick , but if I keep playing like I ’ m playing , everything will work out how it ’ s supposed to work out ,” she said .
“ My goal is to be on that team and to be able to represent not only my country , but my home state ,” Coughlin added . “ I don ’ t want to just be on the team — I want to contribute , win points , and hopefully help Team USA win back the Solheim Cup .”
And a win at home for Coughlin — as well as a momentum swing for the Americans — would make this year well worth the wait .
My goal is to be on that team and to be able to represent not only my country , but my home state . I don ’ t want to just be on the team — I want to contribute , win points and hopefully help Team USA win back the Solheim Cup .”
Lauren Coughlin vsga . org S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2024 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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