Anderson Bounces Back from Disappointment to Win Minnesota Women's State Open

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By Nick Hunter
nhunter@mngolf.org


  STILLWATER, Minn. – After watching a win slip away two weeks ago at the Minnesota Women’s Public Golf Association Senior Public Links Championship, a discouraged but determined Lynn Anderson said she felt the effort she’s put into her golf game in recent weeks is showing signs of progress.

The 51-year-old Anderson has 15 top-10 finishes over the last three seasons and advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2015 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, Tenn. Her last state victory came in 2007 when she won the MWPGA Match Play Championship at Phalen Park.

Anderson took the early lead at the 16th Minnesota Women’s State Open Tuesday, carding a 1-under par 71 before shooting a final-round 77 Wednesday to earn her first victory in nearly a decade at one of the state's biggest events.

“For two weeks I’ve been working on finishing strong and not getting ahead of yourself; trying to stay within the moment and the shot you’re hitting is the one you need to be thinking about,” Anderson said Wednesday. “I really had no expectations—I signed up at the last second to get me ready for Friday’s [U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship qualifier].

“It was a total surprise and it feels great,” she said. “You feel like your work is paying off and I’ve been working on mindset stuff for two weeks. Taking 10 minutes to be quiet and visualize good shots.”

Her newfound approach will be put to the test as Anderson will play seven rounds in the next seven days, wrapping up with the Women’s State Amateur Championship at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club starting Monday.

Anderson, Keller Golf Club, got off to a shaky start teeing off on the 10th tee during the final round Wednesday with four bogeys over her first seven holes before sinking her birdie putt from 15 feet at the 18th.

“I wasn’t hitting the ball as crisp but nothing awful, but missed a couple shorter putts. I felt like I could get some birdies out her and rolled a nice one on nine and birdied 10. Then I focused on now and not getting ahead.

“The front side was hard because greens were slow and wet. I felt like I put a good stroke on it and they would just dribble up there.”

Anderson would quickly get a feel for the greens by rolling in her birdie from the fringe at the first, Anderson moved to 1-over for the championship.

Though she carded three bogeys over the final nine holes, Anderson was saved by a couple key up-and-downs late in the round to preserve her first Minnesota Women’s State Open title.

“[No. 7] I was in the right bunker and made a good 5-footer for par and, again, I want to finish strong because I haven’t been. The last hole I had to chip it and make a 4-footer. That was my goal—don’t over think it.”

During her opening round Tuesday, Anderson carded a pair of birdies with two bogeys during her front nine to turn at even par before rolling in three more birdies with two bogey over the final stretch to sit on top of the leaderboard by one shot following the first 18 holes.

“It was a good round but I missed some opportunities, so it could’ve even been lower,” Anderson said of her 71 to open the tournament Tuesday. “It was one of those days where everything clicked—you hit the fairways, you hit the greens and make some easy pars.”

Professional Martha Nause carded a final-round 74 Wednesday to finish in a three-way tie for second place at 149 with Sierra Langlie and Natalie Roth.

Lisa Grimes, a three-time winner of the event, finished in fifth place at 6-over par 150, while 2013 champion, Sarah Burnham, finished sixth at 151.



16TH MINNESOTA WOMEN’S STATE OPEN
INDIAN HILLS GOLF CLUB
STILLWATER, MINN.
6,166 YARDS, PAR 72


FINAL RESULTS
1. Lynn Anderson, Keller GC, 71-77—148
T2. Martha Nause, Mendakota CC, 75-74—149
T2. Natalie Roth, Moorhead CC, 74-75—149
T2. Sierra Langlie, Bunker Hills GC, 72-77—149
5. Lisa Grimes, Alexandria GC, 75-75—150
6. Sarah Burnham, Rush Creek GC, 77-74—151
7. Brenna Lervick, Island View GC, 76-76—152
T8. Olivia Herrick, Dellwood CC, 79-74—153
T8. Kristen Meyer, Wayzata CC, 77-76—153
10. Anni Heck, Southview CC, 76-78—154


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga16/event/mnpga1648/contest/1/leaderboard.htm