Lauren Hartlage's performance at KPMG Women's PGA Championship raises eyebrows

It was the first time in her young career that she was in the limelight. Despite a few mistakes in the final round, 26-year-old Lauren Hartlage performed admirably at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, getting her first top-five in a major and her career.

Lauren Hartlage ascends Race to CME Globe rankings

Following her best tour performance, she is now 63rd in the Race to the CME Globe Rankings. During the tournament at Sahalee Country Club, the third-year pro made 11 birdies over the course of all four rounds. During both the second and third rounds, she shot a 69, leaving her only two strokes back of 54-hole leader and eventual winner, Amy Yang.

During the third round of the tournament, she played the entire round bogey-free, making three birdies, including on 16. After the third round, Hartlage commented with reporters about the moment she was in. “I'm super excited. I’ve never been in this position before, and this is something that I dreamed about growing up as a kid, so it's really awesome to be in this position and see how it goes and learn from every day, every round."

She stumbled during the front nine on Sunday, with back-to-back double bogeys on the seventh and eighth holes. She rebounded soon after on the back nine, shooting a 36 with a birdie on the 17th. The birdie allowed her to join Ally Ewing in a tie for 5th.

It was Hartlage's third top 25 this season and she currently ranks 55th in Putts per GIR (Greens in Regulation). It is a strong season for a player who just now has entered the spotlight. She more than likely learned a lot from veteran Yang, who won her first major after 18 years on tour.

Hartlage's best finish before this past weekend was a tie for 6th at the Lotte Championship last season.