Newport, R.I. – If Juli Inkster were the sort who would accept the concept of golf mortality, the idea certainly would have been driven home Sunday during the final day of the U.S. Women’s Open.
Having “celebrated” her 46th birthday less than 10 days ago, Inkster found herself playing besides a 19-year-old, Paula Creamer, who grew up in the San Francisco area idolizing the veteran, and Se Ri Pak, a four-time major champion who inspired the wave of South Korean golfers currently threatening to take over the women’s game.
For much of the day though, it was Inkster who looked like she might become the oldest champion in the tournament’s history. A 1-under-par 70 on Saturday and an even-par 71 in Sunday morning’s third round put Inkster into position, then a birdie on her opening hole moved her into a tie for second. However, a bogey on nine, when she putted off the green, proved costly for Inskter, who finished in sixth place at 3-over 287.
“I felt like I was one of the ones to beat out there,” Inkster said. “But, you know what? You get tired, especially when you do stuff like putting it off the green. It’s just, like, ‘How can you do that?”‘
The 1999 and 2002 champion, Inkster was playing in her 27th Open. While others seemed surprised at her performance, the feisty mother of two wasn’t.
“I think my record kind of says I haven’t lost much,” said Inkster, who won this season in Phoenix. “I’ve got a family, my priorities are different, but as far as my golf game, when I’m playing well, I feel like I can play with anybody.”
Stacy P. makes mark
With a star-studded leaderboard, it was understandable to overlook Stacy Prammanasudh in Sunday’s final round.
Apart from the eyepopping mouthful of a surname, there was little to set the 26-year-old apart from the Paks, Sorenstams and Inksters. Prammanasudh had won but once in her five-plus seasons on tour; before this year, her best finish in a major event was a tie for 13th, in addition, she had missed the Open cut three years running.
However, a dazzling display of putting kept Prammanasudh in contention. Although she hit just five greens in regulation, “Stacy P.” had just 23 putts, saving par 12 times.
“Now I know I can do it,” Prammanasudh, who didn’t watch scoreboards all day, said of winning a major. “In the back of my mind I knew I was in contention and could have been leading at some point during the day. Just to know that I’ve got it in me.”
Remember my name
During the delay of Thursday’s scrubbed opening round, a group of fans near the putting green kept calling for a player to come over and sign autographs.
“Birdie, Birdie, we love you Birdie,” the group chirped. “You’re the champ.”
“But,” countered the player being serenaded, “I’m not Birdie.”
Indeed, the golfer wasn’t defending champion Birdie Kim, but rather Jane Park. Chances are though, before too long, the 19-year-old amateur will indeed be the person drawing crowds. While Kim missed the cut, Park, a sophomore-to-be at UCLA, stayed in contention throughout the tournament. Her opening-round 69 tied for the low round of the tournament; Park finished in a tie for 10th at 9-over 293. She earned an automatic berth in next year’s tournament at Pine Needles, N.C.
