Amy Olson Retires
April 25, 2024
By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
PRIOR LAKE, Minn. – Coming off a top-20 finish at last week’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open in Connecticut, Michelle McGann rolled in birdies early and often Friday to begin the 2021 Land O’ Lakes Legends Classic at The Meadows at Mystic Lake.
McGann, a winner of seven LPGA events during her career, carded five birdies over her final 13 holes Friday, shooting a 67 to take a one-stroke lead over Christa Johnson and Juli Inkster to Saturday’s final round.
“I hit a lot of good shots and made some putts. Didn’t really make a lot of putts last week,” said McGann, who fired a 6-over 294 at last week at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn., at her first U.S. Senior Women’s Open. “It certainly does help when you play and get a rhythm. You bring things you did last week into this week.
“The greens rolled really nice today. I saw some good lines and hit some good putts today. It’s always nice to shoot under par. You’ve got to think a little bit off the tee with some of the shots and the way the fairways kick a little bit.”
Rolling in her birdie putt on the opening hole Friday, McGann fell back to even with a bogey at the par-4 fifth hole before sinking four consecutive birdies beginning at the sixth to quickly move to 4-under for the championship.
The 51-year-old from North Palm Beach, Fla., carded one final birdie at the 13th to take the opening round lead in search of her first professional victory since 1998.
“It’s great to have everyone come together and make it a good event,” McGann said of the inaugural event this week. “Having Nancy Lopez come and play—we are called the legends of the LPGA now. This is like old home—we all played together and built the Tour to a better level. Rosie Jones, Juli Inkster, the list can go on.
“Hopefully this event will build and keep growing because the support was great.”
Carding a 1-over 73 to begin the U.S. Senior Women’s Open last week, McGann carded back-to-back rounds of 72 before finishing with a 77 on Sunday to place tied for 20th, 18 shots behind World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, who cruised to an eight-stroke victory.
McGann’s last win on Tour came at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 1997 before winning the 1998 Gillette Tour Challenge Championship with Lee Trevino and Jim Furyk. Turning professional and joining the LPGA Tour in 1989, McGann’s best performance at a major championship came in 1994 at the du Maurier Classic, where she finished second.
An eagle at the par-5 10th hole sparked Inkster’s round of 4-under 68 Friday, as the 2000 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee looks for her sixth win on the Legends Tour this week.
“I hit a cut-3-wood to about 25-feet and made the putt,” said Inkster, winner of 31 LPGA events during her career. “That was nice because I was kind of treading in heavy water and that got me going a little bit.
“I played well—hit the ball good and only missed one green. I didn’t make very many putts, so hopefully tomorrow I can get the putter rolling. I’ve been kind of struggling with that lately. I hit the ball really well last week and carried it over this week. The swing feels good, I’ve just got to make a few more putts.”
The 61-year-old Inkster fired a 73 to begin last week’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open before a second-round 74, and would finish in tie for 10th with back-to-back rounds of 72 to close out the championship.
Inkster finished second at the inaugural event in 2018 and claimed another runner-up finish at the event in 2019. Of her 31 Tour victories, seven came at major championships, with her most recent coming at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2002 where she finished two shots better than Sorenstam at Prairie Dunes Golf Club in Hutchinson, Kan.
Carding a pair of birdies against one bogey during her opening round Friday, Johnson finished with a flurry, sinking three birdies over her final four holes to earn a share of second with Inkster, one shot back.
“I did a good job of being patient,” said Johnson, a winner of five Legends Tour events. “I didn’t start out really well with a bogey early, but it just wasn’t all there. I tried to stay patient and knew I’d come around.
“I’ve been hitting the ball really well and wanted to continue that. There are some tough pins out there, so hopefully I can identify the right pins to go for and stay patient and getting birdies when I can.”
A total of five players, including two-time winner on the LPGA and former University of Minnesota women’s golf head coach Michele Redman, will begin Saturday’s final round in a tie for fourth place after rounds of 2-under 70.
The 2021 Land O’ Lakes Classic concludes Saturday with final-round tee times scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at The Meadows at Mystic Lake.
THE 2021 LAND O’ LAKES LEGENDS CLASSIC
THE MEADOWS AT MYSTIC LAKE
PRIOR LAKE, MINN.
5,874 YARDS, PAR 72
FRIDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Michelle McGann, 32-35—67
T2. Christa Johnson, 35-33—68
T2. Juli Inkster, 36-32—68
T4. Susie Redman, 34-36—70
T4. Leta Lindley, 35-35—70
T4. Rosie Jones, 35-35—70
T4. Michele Redman, 35-35—70
T4. Laura Diaz, 36-34—70
T9. Kris Tschetter, 34-37—71
T9. Carolyn Hill, 34-37—71
T9. Cathy Johnston Forbes, 35-36—71
T9. Jackie Gallagher Smith, 36-35—71
T9. Laurie Rinker, 35-36—71
For complete tournament results go to: www.golfgenius.com/pages/7659236502664125336
April 25, 2024
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