Juli Inkster is 53 years old and playing this week in a record 34th U.S. Women's Open at Sebonack. A two-time winner of the national championship, Inkster got into the field by special invitation from the USGA, allowing her to break the record she held along with Marlene Hagge.
“I just love the U.S. Open,” Inkster said. “Growing up, that was the championship everybody wanted to win.”
Inkster finished T-13 last week at the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship but hasn't won on the LPGA Tour since the 2006 Safeway Classic.
Can she win a third U.S. Women's Open?
“If I can just get out of my way, I’ll be fine," she said. "The key to me is just to get off to a good start.”
What's remarkable is that Inkster will have played in the U.S. Women's Open more years than 142 of the other 155 players have even been alive. Here are the 13 players in the USWO field that are 35 and older, as well as those somewhat close in age:
Players 35 or older
Cristie Kerr (35)
Angela Stanford (35)
Jamie Hullett (37)
Laura Diaz (38)
Karrie Webb (38)
Becky Morgan (38)
Sophie Gustafson (39)
Janice Moodie (40)
Karen Stupples (40)
Moira Dunn (41)
Nicole Jeray (42)
Catriona Matthew (43)
Lorie Kane (48)
Close calls
Karine Icher (34)
Jennifer Rosales (34)
Izzy Beisiegel (34)
Lindsey Wright (33)
Katy Harris (33)
Kris Tamulis (32)
Katie Futcher (32)
Danah Bordner (32)
Meena Lee (31)
Natalie Gulbis (30)
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