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Published on 06/30/1999 All articles from this issue

Inkster wins Grand Slam of women's golf

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Town Crier Staff Report

Three days after her 39th birthday, Los Altos resident Juli Inkster found something else to celebrate: a Grand Slam.

Inkster on Sunday became only the second women's golfer to claim the career Grand Slam, which requires winning the LPGA's four major tournaments.

She accomplished this rare feat by winning the $1.4 million McDonald's LPGA Classic at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del. Inkster shot a 16-under 268 at the four-day tournament, beating runner-up Liselotte Neumann by four strokes.

The victory comes just three weeks after Inkster won the U.S. Open at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss. Her other major tournament wins came at the Dinah Shore Classic (1984 and 1989) and the du Maurier Ltd. Classic (1984).

The other player to reach the modern-day Grand Slam milestone is Pat Bradley.

Inkster, who joined the tour in 1983, went into the final round of the LPGA Classic tied with Nancy Scranton and Cristie Kerr.

Inkster was able to pull away with a final round six-under-par 65, the lowest round of the day.

"Words can't explain how I feel right now," Inkster said in statement released by the LPGA. "I played well today. I knew it was going to be a dog fight."

Inkster remained at even par through the first seven holes. She birdied the eighth and ninth holes to go to 12-under, giving her a one-shot lead over Scranton.

Inkster widened the lead to two strokes on the 16th hole with an eagle and then birdied the 17th and 18th to ensure the title.

Inkster's first-place check of $210,000 puts her atop the 1999 money list. She is one point shy of making the LPGA Hall of Fame.