Lindley turns dreams into reality at Fox Chapel
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • August 4, 2024
FOX CHAPEL — It all came together Sunday for Leta Lindley.
Following a week with varying weather extremes, Lindley mastered Fox Chapel Golf Club about as well as anyone could possibly expect, taking the 6th U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
Her final round was brilliant, a tournament record 7-under 64 to win the Open at 9-under.
“I’ve been dreaming about this day for so long,” said Lindley, who hails from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “I’ve imagined myself hoisting this trophy and winning this championship, and I dared to dream big. It's just so satisfying to stand here now as your champion.”
Lindley, who finished second in the U.S. Women’s Senior Open last year at Waverly Country Club, posted a 31 on the front nine Sunday, racking up five birdies. She had no bogeys in the final round, leading to the historic result.
“That's amazing,” she said. “I don't know that anybody would have thought to write that kind of story for me. I've always been an underdog player, sneaky, under the radar.
“That's a pretty amazing feat, and I'm proud. I knew if I played like I was capable of that I would possibly hold this trophy one day."
Lindley rallied to top Japan’s Kaori Yamamoto, who led for most of the tournament. Yamamoto shot 7-under for the week, but was just an even par player Sunday.
“Of course to be honest, I would love to have the Cup in my hand, but for the fourth day I couldn't make birdies and I couldn't better my score,” said Yamamoto, who won a qualifier in Florida to play in the event. “I am very happy where I am right now.”
Nobuko Kizawa placed third, while LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam ended up fourth at 2-under after playing the final round with Lindley.
“I’d like to congratulate Leta Lindley on an amazing performance today,” said Sorenstam. “I had front-row seats, as you know. She played incredible, especially around the front, and then just kept the momentum going. It was a beautiful showing. I'm super happy for her.”
Players went through some wild weather throughout the week. Tuesday’s practice round was wiped out when heavy storms caused some light flooding of the stream that meanders throughout the golf course.
That was followed by high temperatures over the next two days, with more inclement weather disrupting play Friday and Saturday. But the course more than held up and provided an excellent venue.
“I just want to say thank you to the USGA and Fox Chapel for having us here,” said Sorenstam, who wore yellow shorts Sunday, a nod to her husband and son’s favorite sports team — the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It's been great, and the people coming out, it was nice to see some good crowds. The weather has been a little dodgy, but we've got some really true fans.”
Speaking of local connections, there were a couple throughout the week, including Sunday. Despite local amateur legend Carol Semple-Thompson missing the cut after receiving a special exemption to play, Katie Miller Gee was able to serve as a marker during the final round.
“It is the first time,” said Miller Gee, a WPIAL Hall of Famer at Hempfield and former standout player at North Carolina who has deep ties to WPGA competitions. “The fact that Courtney Myhrum even approached me to do it, it’s an honor and I definitely want to thank her and the USGA for having me because it's quite the task.”
But the day, undeniably, belonged to Lindley, a current instructor who hit all 18 greens in regulations and drained putt after putt to fly home from Pittsburgh a champion.
“This is the cherry on top of my ice cream sundae,” she said. “I was an underdog player. I had a nice, solid career on Tour.
“This is all worth it – all those days of blood, sweat and tears – to win this championship. It was worth every minute, every hour that I've put into this.”
For media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and 34,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.