The final hole of the day took place at Le Golf National. Morgane Metraux had a difficult time on day 2, particularly on the par-5, 18th hole. She struggled and ended up with a bogey, finishing at 8-under. However, her resilience shone through as she managed to score a birdie on the same hole on the third day of the Olympics. This resilience is what helped her overcome a setback she faced in 2019, which almost cost her the LPGA Tour card.
Metraux encountered a shoulder injury in 2019, forcing her to take a break from the sport for 10 months. The pain resurfaced in mid-February while she was preparing for the Symetra Tour season. The 10-month break resulted in a loss of distance when she returned.
The Epson Tour, formerly known as the Symetra Tour, serves as the official qualifying circuit for the LPGA circuit. It is where top female golfers compete for a chance to play at the highest level. Metraux’s setback in 2019 prompted her to work on herself in pursuit of the LPGA Tour card, a dream she finally achieved two years later.
In 2021, Metraux made the cut in 14 out of 18 events on the Epson Tour. She finished in the top 10 five times, with her best performance resulting in a victory at the Island Resort Championship. Her performance at the end of the season secured her a spot at T9 on the Epson Tour Money List, earning her an LPGA Tour card for 2022.
Metraux’s determination to pursue her dream was evident in the choices she made. When faced with the decision to play at the Tokyo Olympics or the 2021 Amundi Evian Championship, she chose the major in France. She couldn’t afford to miss too many weeks on the Symetra Tour if she wanted to earn her LPGA Tour card. Despite the difficulty of saying no to the Olympics, she later earned an Olympic spot for the 2024 Paris games.
Morgane Metraux has now achieved her dream of becoming an Olympic star. She is tied with former No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, both scoring 9-under after the third round. Metraux achieved this with 12 birdies, 9 bogeys, and 3 eagles over the three rounds at Le Golf National.
Reflecting on her choices, Metraux acknowledges that choosing the 2021 major was tough, but it was what she needed to do at the time. She may have some regrets in the future, but for now, she is living her dream as an LPGA Tour pro and an Olympian!
