Juli Inkster Continues to Make History, Becomes the Oldest Player to Make the Cut in an LPGA Tour Event
By Elle Chavis
MIDLAND, Mich. -When 31-time LPGA Tour winner and World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster stepped off the 18th green at Midland Country Club after round two on Saturday, the legend once again made history.
Just two weeks shy of her 66th birthday, Inkster broke the record set by JoAnne Carter as the oldest player to make a cut on the LPGA Tour. Carter’s record stood for 22 years.
“I had a great partner,” Inkster said after Friday afternoon’s performance. “I’m happy I played. Sometimes you got to put yourself out there and I felt like I did that this week. I’ve enjoyed playing with Angel.”
Heading into Sunday’s final round, the duo stands in a tie for 20th place at 3-under par after navigating the breezy and blustery Saturday with winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour throughout the day.
“This course is long for me, but I enjoy the challenge of it,” Inkster said. “And Angel always is very positive out there with me even though I hit bad shots, so it makes it kind of less stressful.”
Since the duo arrived in Midland, Team “Frick and Frack,” as they have dubbed themselves, have kept in good spirits, relying on their nearly 10-year friendship and the mutual trust they have in one another to carry them through.
Inkster’s impact both on and off the golf course remains a prime example of the power of connectivity in sports. Crowds have loyally followed Inkster and Yin throughout the week. Children and adults have set up at autograph alley in the hopes that the 7-time major champion would sign a golf ball or a hat for them.
“I love the game. I love what it's done for my family and where I've gotten to be, travel, people I've met, housing people, volunteers, tournament directors,” Inkster said during a pre-tournament press conference. “If you are open to meeting people, they're there forever.”
Nearly 50 years after the first time the icon picked up a golf club at 15-years-old and 40 after she won her first major in only her fifth start on the LPGA Tour, that genuine love for the game remains. It’s obvious in the way she swings her club, in the way she stops to make sure all the people vying for a coveted autograph or photo walk away happy, and most importantly, in the way she makes sure to hug and congratulate each golfer who plays with her.
Juli Inkster may have once again made history after making the cut on Friday, but the legend has always set the standard.
