Hall of Famer 1st winner of Women’s Senior Open
Laura Davies immediately recognized the significance of having her name inscribed on the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open trophy.
It might be a long time before anyone secures the title as emphatically as Davies did.
Davies virtually went unchallenged Sunday in the final round of the inaugural USGA championship for women 50 and older, claiming the title by 10 strokes over Juli Inkster (73).
“It’s great seeing this [trophy] paraded down for the very first time and I get my name on it first, you know?” Davies said. “This championship will be played for many years and there will only be one first winner — obviously a proud moment for me to win that.”
Davies, 54, shot a 5-under 68 to finish at 16-under 276 at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill.
It was the English player’s 85th career win, and she felt the pressure even though her lead was rarely in danger.
“I haven’t won for eight years — my last win was India, 2010,” Davies said. “So that’s the pressure you’re playing under, when you’re trying to do something for yourself, prove to yourself you can still win.”
A 66 Saturday provided Davies with a five-shot lead over Inkster and what she said would be a sleepless night worrying about the pressure.
The World Golf Hall of Famer widened her advantage early Sunday when she birdied the par-5 second hole and Inkster made bogey.
Davies plans to play in the Women’s British Open next month, and called this win a confidence-booster as she continues to compete against the younger generation.
Missie Berteotti (309) of Upper St. Clair finished 36th.
Kim coasts to win
Michael Kim, who turned 25 Saturday, shot a finalround 66 to win the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., by a record-setting eight strokes and pick up his first victory on the PGA Tour. Kim finished at 27-under 257 — breaking Steve Stricker’s tournament record from 2010 by one shot. He also qualified for this week’s British Open at Carnoustie.
Near European mark
Brandon Stone sank to his knees and dropped his putter in despair after narrowly missing out on becoming the first player to shoot a round of 59 on the European Tour. It wasn’t all bad for the South African golfer, though. Stone’s 10-under 60 secured victory at the Scottish Open in Gullane, earning him a third pro title of his career — the first outside his native country — and the extra prize of a qualifying spot in thisweek’s British Open.
First LPGA title
Thidapa Suwannapura, 25, of Thailand, won her first LPGA Tour event, closing with a 6-under 65 and birdieing the first playoff hole to defeat Brittany Lincicome at the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.