GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. – There’s no doubt the future of the LPGA should produce some of its finest years. Annika Sorenstam is still in her prime, working daily to fend off a growing list of young challengers including Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Lorena Ochoa and someday soon Michelle Wie. And that doesn’t include the parade of talent coming from Korea.
But there’s always plenty of love and apparently golf left in the so-called old guard – players like 44-year-old Juli Inkster, who is using the ShopRite LPGA Classic to remind us she’s no ceremonial player. Inkster followed a remarkable 6-under 65 on Friday with a solid 4-under par 67 yesterday to move to 10-under heading into today’s final round.
Inkster owned a four-stroke lead when she putted out on the 18th hole at the Bay Course of the Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa. But Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam were still in the midst of their second rounds and close enough to catch her.
Nonetheless, Inkster is assured of being in contention for her first win in two years and third career victory at the Classic.
“I know I’m going to have to play really well to win,” Inkster said. “But I feel I’m capable of doing that.”
Inkster’s round on Friday was among the best ever in the 20-year history of the tournament considering the persistent wet and windy conditions. On a day where only four players managed to break par 71, Inkster fashioned a 6-under par 65 on the strength of two chip-ins and two birdie putts of 25 feet.
“I was just trying to get the ball in the fairway and I was just trying to get the ball on the green,” Inkster said of her round on Friday. “That was my strategy for the whole day.”
That strategy didn’t change yesterday even though the weather was much improved. There were still clouds and light rain when Inkster teed-off in the early morning yesterday. But the skies soon dried, and after a bogey on the second hole, she made three consecutive birdies beginning at the par-4 fourth hole to climb to 8-under.
“That got my mindset into shooting low,” Inkster said.
Six more pars were followed by a 12-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 13th. She added her final birdie on the par-4 17th.
Inkster will be the sentimental favorite today. She was the pro who came in to promote the first ShopRite Classic 20 years ago when it didn’t have a defending champion. She won the inaugural event and owns the tournament record with 12 top-10 finishes.
