Juli Inkster - © LPGA

"I'm probably a fool to try", said Juli Inkster, 60, "But I think I would be disappointed not to try it, it's so close to home." "

Inkster, who lives in Los Altos, Calif., Entered the 36-hole qualifier on April 26 at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. She will be tournament-ready after competing in the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open next week, the day before qualifying. The 31st-time LPGA Tour winner made her 2021 debut at the Kia Classic last month, where she missed the cut.

The 76th edition of the USWO will be held from June 3 to 6 on the Lake Course of the Olympic Club, which has already hosted five Opens (1955, 1966, 1987, 1998 and 2012), including three Amateurs (1958, 1981 and 2007), the American Junior Amateur in 2004 and the first American Amateur Four-Ball Championship in 2015. This is the first USWO organized in this club.

"It's a difficult golf course", said Juli Inkster, who first performed it in college. »

Only two players have won the US Women's Open after qualifying: Hilary Lunke (2003) and Birdie Kim (2005).

Juli Inkster, USWO champion in 1999 and 2002, had to go through qualifying once before for the championship after the birth of one of her two children.

"I don't remember the year anymore", she said. “I was at the bottom of the qualifying list. It is not easy. "

Inkster last competed at a US Women's Open in 2014 at Pinehurst, where she tied for 15th. She received special exemptions in the championship in 1983 and 2013.

Betsy King, another two-time USWO champion, qualified from a qualifying site in Arizona in 2011 at the age of 55. Laura Davies did the same in 2014 in New Jersey at the age of 50. Catriona Matthew and Lorie Kane both qualified at 48.

"I just decided, you know, what the heck", said Juli Inkster. “If I succeed, I succeed; if I am not successful, I am not successful. "

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To read our last article on the same subject :

US Women's Open 2021: USGA announces qualifying