By Roy J. Akers– www.skyviewsports.net
Ann Arbor, Mich. — Sevemty-two holes in most golf tournaments usually shakes out the contenders from the pretenders. The US Senior Women’s Open at Barton Hills CC, did that early and often and only three out of 150 players finished with scores under par. Two of those (Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb) are among the greatest players in LPGA history. The third player is one that before last week had never won a Woman’s major. Now she has two.
Maria McBride is a Sunday frontnine backslider
McBride led Annika Sorenstam by three strokes coming into Sunday’s play. Her front nine was played to three consecutive bogeys through seven holes before an eagle on the 517-yard par five gave her a one shot lead over Sorenstam. MM went down by one after going four over through seven, then two birdies and and eagle change everything. She wins by three shots and wins her first major ever on either the LPGA or European Tours. This is her tenth victory worldwide.
Annika Sorenstam hangs around and finishes second
Sorenstam took the lead briefly on the front nine by one shot over McBride but the leaders eagle on nine with two timely birdies put Sorenstamdown by four. GOAT or not, four down with two to play is a bit much for anyone to overcome. Sorenstam told me postround she was not deflated by McBrides 9th hole eagle. ” There was still a lot of golf left. “
Catriona Matthew’s consistency was key to her top-five finish.
Matthew carded rounds of 72-70-72 going into Sunday’s final round. Her consistency put her at the top of the leaderboard. From the 13th through 17th holes, Matthew went four over par before her late birdie to finish even par.
Karrie Webb has been luring and under par
Juli Inkster wishes their were only 17 holes at Barton Hills CC.
Inkster, the 66-year-old World Golf Hall of Famer, played the 380-yard par four 15th to five over the first two days of the tournament. Just playing that hole to par and she would be even going into the final day with a chance to win the tournament. Alas, all 18 holes count. Inkster still loves the compeition and there is no doubt whe will play in mor US Senior Open’s.
MSU Women’s Golf Coach Stacy Slobodnick-Stoll
Slobodnick-Stoll knew coming into the US Senior Women’s Open she was making a point and being an example. Coach is an accomplished golfer and celebrating her 29th anniversary as the Spartan’s Women’s Coach. She made the cut and finished last among the golfers seeing the weekend. She finished +30 with scores of 77-74-84-83. She told me on media day that she inspires her student athletes to play golf as a lifelong sport. Her Spartans are co-host of the Folds of Honor Collegiate being held at American Dunes along with Florida State.
