Maria Fassi takes lessons learned from Stacy Lewis to career-best 65 at Evian Championship

It didn’t take long for Stacy Lewis’ influence to pay off for Maria Fassi. It was Fassi who asked the former No. 1 and fellow Razorback to partner with her at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Fassi soaked up every second of the experience and came into this week’s Amundi Evian Championship on the highest note of the season.

On Saturday, Fassi matched her career-low round of 65 with eight birdies to move into the top 20 at 6 under for the tournament. Her best finish in a major is a tie for 12^th at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, her professional debut.

“I think I learned and grew so much,” said Fassi of last week in Midland, Michigan. “Even from those five, six days that we were together.

“Honestly, I’m just trying to have fun, to enjoy playing golf again, and not give a damn about the score or what each shot means rather than just enjoy the opportunity to do what I love every day.”

Lewis and Fassi tied for 12^th together at the Dow, giving the 2019 NCAA champion her first made cut since April and only her second of the season. Fassi said she smiled more playing alongside Lewis that she had all year.

Lewis praised Fassi for her willingness to learn.

“Sometimes you try to give advice to people and they don’t listen to you, and she’s definitely listening and taking it in,” said Lewis.

“Like she said, it’s literally just, OK, what’s the lie, what’s the wind and what type of shot do we need to hit. Not, OK, it’s a pitching wedge. No, what kind of pitching wedge are we going to hit?”

At the Evian, Fassi said keeping the ball in the fairway is key this week. She hit 14 greens and took 26 putts in Round 3.

“I think I’ve just been a lot more patient as of late,” said Fassi, “and trusting that my work and what I been doing sooner rather than later is all going to pay off.”

Fassi finds her game peaking just in time for the Tokyo Olympics. She made sure to watch fellow Mexican Gaby Lopez carry their country’s flag in Friday’s Opening Ceremony.

“I mean, it gives me chills even now telling you about it,” said Fassi, “that it’s actually here now and that she represented us the way she did and that I’m going to be able to join her and all the others in a few days.

“Probably live the experience of a lifetime.”