Inkster celebrates 50th with 71 at LPGA

June 25, 2010

The earth moved here on Wednesday, the result of a magnitude 5.0 earthquake that originated a few hundred miles north of the Canadian border. If Juli Inkster somehow finds a way to win the LPGA Championship on Sunday here at Locust Hill Country Club, it would simply mark the second freak of nature phenomenon this week in western New York.

Juli Inkster has four birdies in five holes before fading a bit late. (AP) Inkster, the popular Hall of Fame winner of seven major titles, turned 50 years old Thursday and celebrated accordingly with a rousing run of four birdies in a stretch of five holes in the middle of her opening round of 1-under-par 71. Shes still very much in contention, even if she is five years older than the oldest female major champion, 45-year-old Fay Crocker in the now long-gone 1960 Titleholders tournament, a major at the time.

Inkster was actually leading the second womens major of the year through her first dozen holes until a couple of late bogeys while she played in a sudden summer rain squall eventually brought her back to the pack. She had a wonderful day anyway, what with all those fans serenading her with as she made her way around the course.

Anyone who knows “Jules” also knows that age has hardly dampened her competitive spirit, or her enthusiasm for the game. She keeps telling anyone who will listen that she still loves to play and believes she can still win, something that hasnt happened since the 2006 season.

But a 65 in the State Farm event last month, a pair of 69s a few weeks ago at the ShopRite event, and her best finish of the year, a tie for ninth at the HSBC tournament. Clearly she can still perform at the highest levels of her sport, and with no 50-and-over senior tour available for women, she said that as long as she feels she can compete, shell keep playing with the women, many of them young enough to be her children.

“Its just that Im playing good golf and Im 50,” said Inkster, who has two daughters, ages 20 and 16.” I wish there was an answer for it. I love what I do. Im playing 16-17 weeks. The rest I have off. I dont know why I wouldnt play. Its not like we have a senior tour. I love to play golf.”

And many of her fellow competitors are delighted to have her out on tour. She has been a mentor to more than a few of them, including 24-year-old Paula Creamer when she first started playing professionally at age 18. This week, several players chipped in and bought Inkster an iPad for her birthday. While she said shes always loved gadgets, she also admitted that Morgan Pressel had to show her how to turn it on.

“I couldnt even get it going,” Inkster admitted. “I think they all think Im loco anyway. I get along great with the younger players. I have a great relationship with them. They are kind of like my kids. Most of them are the same age. You know, its not me here, them there. We are all on the same level and playing field, and I think they have a respect for me, and I surely have a respect for them, what they go through and how hard they work.”

But she also works at it herself. Following her round Thursday, she went back to the practice range and hit balls for another 45 minutes. She said shes been fortunate not to have any serious injuries, and no current “aches and pains.” She hits the ball about as far as she always did and has worked diligently on her putting, with decent results this season.

The one change in her game since her prime winning years on tour?

“I definitely think Ive mellowed a lot,” she said. “I used to take golf home and stew. I dont do any of that any more. When I tee it up I still believe I can win. If I dont, its not the end of the world. You know, I just like to compete. I like to see how good I can be at this age.

She also is a realist.

“I know Im not going to be player of the year,” she said. “Im not going to be the No. 1 player. But you know what, Ive got a lot of good friends out here. I love to play golf. I get asked this all the time. I wish I had a better answer but I dont. I mean thats the only way I can answer it. To me its not a job.”

Inkster definitely paid close attention to Tom Watsons exploits at the British Open last summer at Turnberry, when, at age 59, he nearly won in regulation before losing in a playoff to Stewart Cink. Shes a great admirer, and said she fully understands why he keeps playing on.

“Believe me, Im nowhere near a Tom Watson, but he plays for the love of the game,” she said. “He doesnt need to play. He plays because he likes to compete. He plays because he likes to hit shots. … I just cant see a Tom Watson just hanging them up because he is 60. Its just an age. If he is still out there and still enjoying it and still loves doing it, why not?

“I think the younger players have such a great respect for him and for what he has done for the game and how he played the game and how he loves the game. I think older players, its not always about the endorsements. Its not always about the wins.”

Inkster also remained adamant Thursday that even if she were to make the team on points, or is a leading contender for a captains choice selection, she will not play in the Solheim Cup competition in the fall. Shes already been announced as an assistant captain to her friend, Rosey Jones, surely a prelude to her own captaincy in the not-too-distant future.

“Im not going to play; if I make it Im not playing,” she said emphatically Thursday. “Why? Because I just feel like Ive done it. Ive enjoyed it. I have had great memories. But I feel its time that the younger players get out there and get the experience and learn it. Im perfectly satisfied where I am. I dont need to play the Solheim Cup to validate my career. I love the Solheim Cup. Thats the best tournament, bar none, that I look forward to. But I just dont want to play.”