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DANA GROSS-RHODE: Juli, before we get started, we have a couple people with the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Bell Committee who would like to thank you for your donation, last year, after your win at the 2006 Safeway International Presented by Coca-Cola. ALICE SCOTT: This plaque is on behalf of the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Bell Committee in appreciation for your generous and continuing support. We wanted to thank you and present this plaque, which is etched with all of the contestants’ names from 2006. They all very much appreciate your support for the charity, the role model that you are, and we realize this was a thank you back to the Phoenix community and Safeway, and we really appreciate it. JULI INKSTER: Thank you very much. ALICE SCOTT: Thank you.

Q. Juli, Annika had a pretty good run in the last five years. Is it still her Tour, or are there just too many good players out here to be a one-woman Tour anymore JULI INKSTER: Well last time I looked, she was still ranked number one in the world. So, I think she’s always the person to beat. You know, she’s definitely, in a different point of her life right now, she’s got a lot of things going on. But she’s still a great player. But I think there are a lot of great players out here. I think it’s great for our Tour that there is some rivalry out there and there is some a lot of good players that you never know who’s going to win week in week out, but if I was a betting person, and Annika was in the field, I’d probably take her every week and probably make out pretty good at the end of the year.

Q. You said that you worked hard both years in the off-season. During the off-season, how much do you divide your time between golf and other things Do you take a break JULI INKSTER: Yeah, I take a break, but I kind of have a schedule at home. I just kind of get up and I go work out, and then I go do a little practicing and then do whatever I have to do and then pick the kids up at school, and then I’m home the rest of the afternoon. So during the winter, I coached my daughter’s basketball team. I like to cook. I hate going to the grocery store, but I like to cook. But my daughter drives now, but I send her, so it works out good. But I just kind of get into my own little routine at home and do some basic stuff that most people do at home.

Q. Juli, you probably can make this observation more than most, but the Tour used to be every player was on the putting green or on the driving greens, and everybody talked to everybody, and there was no such thing as a language barrier, because as foreign as it got was like Laura Davies. Now, there are so many international players, such a large group of Koreans. Do you guys still communicate the same way Is the camaraderie there like it used to be JULI INKSTER: Well, it’s just different. I mean, it has changed but the world has changed. Everything has changed. You know, for the first 15 years I was out here, I didn’t even have a cell phone or a computer or whatever. I mean, things have changed. Our golf – our Tour’s definitely changed. We are an international Tour. I think it’s we have a lot of Koreans out here. But I think the Koreans are trying very hard to learn the language and try to fit in. I mean it’s two different cultures. I mean they are very respectful and I have to say the Americans are a little more sarcastic and joke around a little bit more, and that’s just not the way the Asians were brought up. It’s just two different cultures. But I try to get them to be a little more sarcastic. So, I’m trying to give them a little more humor. But I think, from when they first started getting out here until now, I think they’ve done a great job trying to learn the language and trying to fit in over here. I try to put the shoe on the other foot. If it was me going over to Korea to play on their tour, I mean, I don’t know if I’d do it. You got to hand it to them to come over here. They want to play with the best players and the best tour, and we are the best players and the best tour. So we’re making it work.

DANA GROSS-RHODE: First of all, I thank you all for coming here, and welcome, Lorena. Thank you for coming and talking to us. When we ask questions, please do make sure that you do use the microphone. But, Lorena, you had — you had a good year so far. You just came off from Mexico. It was a busy week. Now you’re rested, and how are you looking forward to this week LORENA OCHOA: Hello. Yes, I do have a good start. I think it was always important the first two tournaments of the year to see how do you feel and how you’re hitting the ball. Actually, I have new clubs, and I’m hitting the ball further, better trajectory, and the driver, I’m further, too. So, all those things help. Last week was Mexico City. It was a little bit crazy, a little bit too much, but it’s always good to go back home. I know it’s going to be a busy week for me. So, I try to be mentally prepared, and spend as much time that I can with the fans and to take pictures with them and to sign autographs. It’s something I really enjoy doing. I only go home a couple times a year and to play golf, and they follow my career all year long. So, it’s something I do with a lot of joy, but it’s a lot of just stress and so much pressure around. I have so many things to do with my sponsors, and it’s a busy week.

Q. Lorena, for the last, three seasons or so, you’ve really tried to get past Annika, and then last year you did it. So, I know she’s still number one in the world and everything, but how do you kind of assess your position now, and do you have to kind of re-gear up for this season LORENA OCHOA: What happened last year, 2006, was a very special year. A lot of positive things happened. I will remember that year for the rest of my life, and I’ve been dreaming for so long to be number one, and I think this year, 2007, is going to be very different. Not only me, there are so many good players. They’re very well prepared, and all of them are trying to be number one. I think the competition is really tough. Just, we raise, the level of golf, and it’s going to be tough to be in that position. My goal is to maintain that position to be number one. I think there is always room to improve. I have been working really hard in the off-season, and I saw the things that I need to get better, and I did train. I think I prepared myself even better than 2006 in the off-season. I did all I could do, all it takes to improve. I’m ready to go. It’s not about Annika, about one player. The competition is tough. I can only tell you it’s going to be a big challenge. It’s going to be a fun year for all of you in the media and the fans. So, I’m ready to go, but I want to be number one. Q. Lorena, what would you say were the factors in the breakout season you had last year LORENA OCHOA: I think it was a matter of time. I always believed that you have to go through a process. You first start feeling comfortable playing here, out here, and traveling and doing all these things outside the golf course. It’s kind of like a process and I knew it would take four or five six years to get to the top. That’s the way it is. It’s hard to get here one, two, years and then you want to dominate the game and be number one. It’s impossible. So, it’s just kind of like a matter of time. Right now, we are in a different position, but there are always things that I want to improve that I want to win a major. Hopefully, 2007 is a year for a major for me. That would be great, and we’ll see.

Q. I know that you’re active in a lot of other things. During the off-season, how much time do you actually spend working on golf Is there a time when you just want to get away from it and do other things LORENA OCHOA: I always have a rule there are some players in December, they play Lexus Cup, and in January they play the Women’s World Cup. I do a lot of offers to go and play in different parts of the world in December. I promised myself to take December off. It’s a very special month for me. It’s the only month that I spend time with my family, the people I love and to rest and not to play any golf. So, I went home. I put the clubs in the closet and then didn’t see them until January when it was time to get back and start practicing. I went to the beach with my whole family for 25 days. I love to exercise. In December, I don’t play golf, I exercise a lot. I have a routine. I work out in the morning. I do yoga, exercises, lifting weight in afternoons, but during the day I go fishing and I love water skiing. I water-ski every day, and play tennis in the afternoons with my brothers and some friends. Then, in January, we get back to work. We practice real hard for six weeks before start traveling. That’s something I did the year before. So, it’s a formula that has been working, and I want to keep doing the same.

Q. I’ve got a question about kind of the way it is out here now versus the way it used to be out here. Years ago like when they had LPGA events, all the players would be on the greens talking together. And there was really no international factor or I mean, there was Laura Davies and Liselotte Neumann. A couple people, but they were mostly just Americans out there playing. Now the Tour changed so much and it’s so international. Do you still communicate with the other players Does the language barrier keep you all from knowing each other, or is there camaraderie on the LPGA LORENA OCHOA: I think it’s nice to see just different players from different countries. I think my situation I admire and respect all the players. If they come from different countries we get along fine, I think. I believe, myself, I have a lot of good friends, close friends that I share what I do every day, and we go out and we spend time outside the golf course. I always felt very welcome when I first got here five years ago. I’m very thankful to other players, to the organization and everybody here on the LPGA. That’s exactly the same thing I try to do with new players, kind of go and introduce myself and make them feel comfortable, because it’s hard the first year.

So, many new things happen. I see a lot of Koreans and sometimes they like to do their own thing, but I have nothing against that. There are a lot of Hispanics from Latin America and Nicole Perrot from Chile and Marisa Baena from Columbia Sophia Sheridan, another Mexican Maru Martinez from Venezuela we all speak Spanish. We all get along pretty good, and we laugh, and talk about boyfriends or family. It’s like a big family to us. Q. Is it harder to speak to the Koreans because the language is too different LORENA OCHOA: It is hard, but I find Koreans have a very similar humor than Mexicans, but once you get to know them, they’re very loud and funny and make jokes, and we kind of like joke, and tease each other, and I enjoy being with them a lot.

Q. Lorena, you touched on this a little bit already, but there are a lot of athletes that are talking about finding a balance in their life between playing sports and staying committed to other things. You mentioned family a lot and other activities. Can you talk about the importance of that in your life, having that balance LORENA OCHOA: That’s the most important thing. That’s why like December, that’s a perfect example. It doesn’t matter how much they pay me or which tournament. To me, the most important thing the whole year is just to be able to go home and spend time with the people that I love. It’s impossible to play good if you don’t have a good balance. If you’re not happy with your parents, you start making bogie, and if you’re happy with your friends you make birdies.

Q. If you could talk about this course and this tournament and what a big event it’s become, and in a couple years ago having that chance to win it, kind of talk about the tournament itself. LORENA OCHOA: Yes. I do want to say the golf course is in great shape probably the best I’ve ever seen. The greens are just really fast. They are hard. I think they’re really hard on the weekend, which made things more exciting for the fans and for us. It’s a course that you really need to think on strategy. You need to find your way to work around and play well. A couple years ago, I was really close. It hurt me a lot, and that was one of the turning points of my career that I really hate the feeling of losing and make me be a better player. I’m prepared. I love being here in Phoenix the desert. I love desert golf courses. I have good memory from college, and I have a lot of friends coming here from Tucson on the weekend, and I almost feel like home. This is a special place for me. I have good memories, and hopefully this is my year.

Q. Yes. Lorena, I know one of the things that you have done over the years is try to get more children in Mexico involved in golf. Can you give us kind of update on what kind of progress you’re making with that LORENA OCHOA: Well, actually, it’s been a really good year. Just at the beginning of the year, we opened first a golf academy. The name is Ochoa Golf Academy. I’m doing this project with my coach, with Raphael Alarcon, and my brother Alejandro, my manager, and we opened the first golf academy in Guadalajara at the public golf range. We had a lot of good response. It’s full, packed of kids, girls and boys trying to play the game. Actually, just at the first week of February, we opened our second one in Mexico City. It was Ehas been a big success and then in one more month we’re going to open the third one in Monterey, which is a city in the north of Mexico. So, we’re doing well. We are doing whatever we can do to help kids be well directed to teach them where they need to go and how do they need to learn the game. So far, that’s our progress, but I think it’s doing good.

Q. Beating Annika in the playoffs, I mean, were you ready for that I mean, you were on the Duramed Futures Tour last year, and then all of a sudden, boom you’re playing Annika in the playoff. MEAGHAN FRANCELLA: Yeah. I mean, obviously, I think I was ready. Like I said, last week I think playing out here during our futures tour prepared me for last week and my nerves were going a little bit in the playoff, but I thought I handled them pretty well. Q. What’s your first memory of Annika When was she first on your radar screen MEAGHAN FRANCELLA: I think my golf coach and I had worked on my swing a little bit. Annika releases her head really well. So, I think when we first started probably my first memory, just how she released her head. I have a picture of her releasing her head in her golf swing that I looked at all throughout high school just to have an idea of what I wanted to become. Q. How does winning so early in the year change your goals for the year now MEAGHAN FRANCELLA: Well, I had a short-term goal in getting into Kraft next week and obviously, I’m in now. I think it’s nice now. I can plan on what’s going to happen the rest of the year. Obviously, I jumped up on The Solheim Cup list, and that would be just an honor to represent my country. So, obviously, I want to try and get on that team and then I would like to win a major this year and win again, hopefully. I’m just going to try and have fun now for the rest of the year. I haven’t really had a great time playing golf, just because there’s been so much pressure the last couple years trying to get my card, trying to get out here. So, I’m just going to go out and have fun now. Q. Before this year, had you played in any LPGA events MEAGHAN FRANCELLA: Two years ago, I had a sponsor exemption into the Sybase Classic. I played one event that year, and I had conditional status last year, played three events last year. Probably could have played in a couple more, but I decided to stay out and play the Duramed Futures Tour last year and finish in the top five and try and get my card. So, I think it Mexico was my seventh start.

Q.What did you take out of last week. I mean, you played well, obviously. What did you take out of last week. What did you bring in confidence-wise and so forth ANNIKA SORENSTAM: It was a good week. I hit the ball really well, had a lot of greens. I thought I putted well. I felt my swing is back. The distance is also back. The accuracy is back. I just felt really good. I was excited to be back on tour, and, you know, I had a good off-season where I mixed some rest with some work working out, a lot of grinding with my swing. But you never know what’s going to happen once you get on the golf course. It’s different to be home and riding the cart and play with friends and not put down the score on a scorecard. So, I was very pleased with my start. It was a long week. It was kind of demanding week. I mean, we had so many, you know, lightening threats. I don’t know how many times. So, still, I was able to keep my momentum. I took a lot out of that week.

Q. Annika, you did lose the Rolex Player of the Year title last year to Lorena, and I had to assume that maybe that would be a top priority this year ANNIKA SORENSTAM: It is. I would say the top priority to get my swing back. I was quite frustrated the with way I was playing last year. I tried so hard to make it work. I scrambled in a lot of events just to hit fairways and hit greens. It was tough. I was determined this winter to find my swing again. It felt really good in Mexico. I believe if I’m swinging well then things will fall into place. There’s certain things I can control and certain things I cannot. I think we all would agree that Lorena had a fantastic year. She played very, very well. She was very consistent. When a player is having a year like that, it is going to be tough. From my standpoint, I want to play some good golf. That’s why I do this. It was not a lot of fun last year when I was struggling. It was always something. I would play good for nine holes and then the next nine, something totally different. And I like to be consistent. I like to hit fairways.

Q. How important, long range, is getting the record of the most majors and the most career wins. You’re within sight of both of those. Is that something you’re shooting for to break both those records ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, I think majors is really what drives me, you know, because when I joined the Tour, I never knew I was going to win a single tournament. So, therefore, the goal of beating 88 was never in my mind, you know, but after winning the U.S. Women’s Open, I just felt like majors was something special. So, that’s really kind of where my focus is now. I am not a player that’s out here playing every week. For me, it’s all about quality. It’s not about playing 25, 30 just to kind of get wins. I want to be competitive when I play. I want to enjoy when I’m here. And I just don’t have, the rookie energy anymore. I mean, I’m a little bit selective when it comes to tournaments. I’m selective when it comes to golf courses. I just want to come out and really enjoy it and not feel like it’s a grind every week.

Q. Annika, obviously, next week is the first major of the year. What is it about this event that maybe helps you prepare for next week’s golf course Is there anything about this golf course specifically that you like that helps you for next week, as well ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, I must say that this golf course is good shape as I’ve ever seen in a golf course. I really mean that. I mean, the greens are smooth as I’ve ever seen, and the fairwaysit’s just in immaculate shape. I think just having great conditions the week before, some rough. You know, it’s a tougher golf course. It’s a little longer than, I would say, the average. I think that those are all good components to prepare for a major. For me it’s very important right now to get into the competition mode. As you know, I’ve only played one tournament. So, I need to get some rounds under my belt.

Q. Yeah I was going to ask you about looking down the road with all the things you got going on, do you see an end to playing coming soon, or are you in it for the long haul, still ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I would say that I’m past halfway. I get this question a lot, and I must say, it all depends how I enjoy it. You know, is the motivation there to wake up in the morning Do I want to go out and grind I’m such a competitor, and I know what it’s like to be at the top. But, the day that I can’t be there and I don’t want to be there, I think it’s time to move on. As you’re all aware, I’ve started to plant the seed for the future in different business ventures and I’m loving it. I really am. I’m feeling that I’m at that part of my life that I can give back in different areas. I love the game of golf, and I want to contribute to the game in different ways. So, I know I’m not really answering your question there, but I’m here right now. I’m ready for the season, and I just kind of assess every year and go from there.

Q. I think last night the LPGA released its list of banned substances to the players. Did you see the list If you could just give us general thoughts on testing and that sort of thing. ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah. I did see the list, and I don’t know if you know, but I’m on the LPGA Executive Committee, and I’m part the drug committee. So, I mean, I’ve been updated the last few months on this. So, yesterday was not new to me. This, as you all know, is a new area for the LPGA, we’re standing behind it, and we’re going to started testing next year. So, I’m not very familiar with any of those substances, and I don’t really know what they are other than caffeine and cocaine, I think. So, I have a lot learning to do. But I think it’s an important step and statement that we’re making.

1955 Beverly Hanson 1956 Marlene Hagge 1957 Louise Suggs 1958 Mickey Wright 1959 Betsy Rawls 1960 Mickey Wright 1961 Mickey Wright 1962 Judy Kimball 1963 Mickey Wright 1964 Mary Mills 1965 Sandra Haynie 1966 Gloria Ehret 1967 Kathy Whitworth 1968 Sandra Post 1969 Betsy Rawls 1970 Shirley Englehorn 1971 Kathy Whitworth 1972 Kathy Ahern 1973 Mary Mills 1974 Sandra Haynie 1975 Kathy Whitworth 1976 Betty Burfeindt 1977 Hisako Higuchi 1978 Nancy Lopez 1979 Donna Caponi 1980 Sally Little 1981 Donna Caponi 1982 Jan Stephenson 1983 Patty Sheehan 1984 Patty Sheehan 1985 Nancy Lopez 1986 Pat Bradley 1987 Jane Geddes 1988 Sherri Turner 1989 Nancy Lopez 1990 Beth Daniel 1991 Meg Mallon 1992 Betsy King 1993 Patty Sheehan 1994 Laura Davies 1995 Kelly Robbins 1996 Laura Davies 1997 Christa Johnson 1998 Se Ri Pak 1999 Juli Inkster 2000 Juli Inkster 2001 Karrie Webb 2002 Se Ri Pak 2003 Annika Srenstam 2004 Annika Srenstam 2005 Annika Srenstam 2006 Se Ri Pak 2007 Suzann Pettersen 2008 Yani Tseng 2009 Anna Nordqvist

1946 Patty Berg 1947 Betty Jameson 1948 Babe Zaharias 1949 Louise Suggs 1950 Babe Zaharias 1951 Betsy Rawls 1952 Louise Suggs 1953 Betsy Rawls 1954 Babe Zaharias 1955 Fay Crocker 1956 Kathy Cornelius 1957 Betsy Rawls 1958 Mickey Wright 1959 Mickey Wright 1960 Betsy Rawls 1961 Mickey Wright 1962 Murle Breer 1963 Mary Mills 1964 Mickey Wright 1965 Carol Mann 1966 Sandra Spuzich 1967 Catherine LaCoste am 1968 Susie Berning 1969 Donna Caponi 1970 Donna Caponi 1971 JoAnne Carner 1972 Susie Berning 1973 Susie Berning 1974 Sandra Haynie 1975 Sandra Palmer 1976 JoAnne Carner 1977 Hollis Stacy 1978 Hollis Stacy 1979 Jerilyn Britz 1980 Amy Alcott 1981 Pat Bradley 1982 Janet Anderson 1983 Jan Stephenson 1984 Hollis Stacy 1985 Kathy Baker 1986 Jane Geddes 1987 Laura Davies 1988 Liselotte Neumann 1989 Betsy King 1990 Betsy King 1991 Meg Mallon 1992 Patty Sheehan 1993 Lauri Merten 1994 Patty Sheehan 1995 Annika Srenstam 1996 Annika Srenstam 1997 Alison Nicholas 1998 Se Ri Pak 1999 Juli Inkster 2000 Karrie Webb 2001 Karrie Webb 2002 Juli Inkster 2003 Hilary Lunke 2004 Meg Mallon 2005 Birdie Kim 2006 Annika Srenstam 2007 Cristie Kerr 2008 Inbee Park 2009 Eun-Hee Ji

Excerpt Taken From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juli_Inkster

Q. Annika, just your observation on how the Tour is changed a little bit in the last, let’s say, five years, so many more international players. I was wondering, like when you first came out here, you were probably way in the minority as an international player, but now it’s the rule. Is the communication still there among the different groups Do you know, like, it used to be everybody was kind of like in one big moving caravan. But now it seems a little bit more like you see the Koreans practice together, you know. I mean, is there still a sense of camaraderie on the LPGA, or has this international thing kind of stopped that ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I know what you’re talking about, but I must say still that there this is friendship amongst everybody and the respect. I think this is just the growth of the game. This is just natural, the direction it’s going. This is growing up as a little kid in all these different countries. If you play golf, you follow the best players in the world, and the LPGA comes to your mind. So, I think it’s pretty neat that we have all these players. This is where we all want to play when you have big dreams. We all respect each other for that, but then again, you always feel maybe more comfortable with some of the friends. The Koreans speak their own language. I know they go out for dinners and so forth. I mean I think they’re very, very friendly within their groups, but again, I feel if I want to sit down and speak to them, I feel as welcome as ever. So, I think it’s a good thing. I think, you know, we’re bringing in so many different fans from all around the world. I think you have to turn that way and say, Hey, this game is growing,’ and the LPGA is showing that.

Q. One more going back to the majors question. Everybody knows that, you know, Tiger is trying to track down Nicklaus with the record. What about you with Patty and her record of 15 Is that something that you — because, you know, we don’t hear you talk about her as much as he talks about Nicklaus. Is that something that you zeroed in on pretty much ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I mean, I’m aware of the record but, you know, I’ve never felt like I would compare myself to — to the other players. I mean, I’ve always, you know, trying to play the best I can. And it would be nice to do it. I think it’s possible. It depends also on how many more years I’m going to play. It is going to be a tough thing to do, but, you know, that’s not really what drives me. You know, would it make me happier to win 14 out of 15 I don’t know. I think I’m pretty happy with my career anyway. Right now I just want to, like I said, find my own game. That’s what drives me today. And, you know, once I decide to stop compete, I think I’m going to be pretty much complete and satisfied with what I’ve achieved, whether it’s topping every record or not.

Q. I just wondered if you could see tell us a little bit about your thoughts about the grand opening and if there will be any specific things going on, on the grand opening ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Oh, we have a lot of things planned. It’s starting at 8 in the morning and probably ends at 10 at night. We have a mixture of golf. I have clinics and I have all the sponsors. I am getting involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I’m actually going to be the national spokesperson for that which is going to be announced very, very soon. We have kids coming up in the academy. I’m going to hit some balls with them. They also get a chance to work with my teacher, Henry Rice, and also my fitness guy, who is going to be there. My sister who is now working officially for the academy will be there. So, we get the whole crew there, and we’re working on a celebrity, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Excerpt Taken From http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?pid=10094&mid=1

Professional Majors:Nabisco Dinah Shore: 1984, 1989du Maurier Classic: 1984U.S. Women’s Open: 1999, 2002LPGA Championship: 1999, 2000Other Significant Victories:LPGA Tour: 241983: SAFECO Classic1985: Lady Keystone Open1986: Women’s Kemper Open, McDonald’s Championship, Lady Keystone Open, Atlantic City Classic1988: Crestar Classic, Atlantic City Classic, SAFECO Classic1989: Crestar Classic1991: LPGA Bay State Classic1992: JAL Big Apple Classic1997: Samsung World Championship of Women’s Golf1998: Samsung World Championship of Women’s Golf1999: Welch’s/Circle K Championship, Longs Drugs Challenge, Safeway LPGA Golf Championship2000: Longs Drugs Challenge, Samsung World Championship2001: Electrolux USA Championship Hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant2002: Chick-Fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez2003:LPGA Corning Classic, Evian Masters2006: Safeway International Presented by Coca-ColaOther Wins: 1986:JCPenney Classic with Tom Purtzer1996:Diners Club Matches with Dottie Pepper1997:Diners Club Matches with Dottie Pepper1999:Diners Club Matches with Dottie Pepper2000:Hyundai Team Matches with Dottie Pepper2004:Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge with Cristie Kerr and Grace ParkOther Accomplishments:LPGA Rookie of the Year: 1984Solheim Cup: 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005

World Golf Hall of Fame Profile: Juli InksterJuli Inkster is almost as proud of her daytime job as a Hall of Fame golfer as she is of her fulltime job as a mother of two girls, Hayley and Cori. Inkster’s achievements as an amateur alone are almost deserving of placement in the World Golf Hall of Fame. She learned the game at Pasatiempo G.C. in Northern California, where she practiced before and after school everyday. Like many of the juniors her age she applied for a job at the golf course to gain extra playing privileges and started out parking carts and picking up range balls before graduating to being the “shop girl.” That’s where she met her future husband, Brian, a pro who recognized Juli’s untapped potential. Inkster captured three U.S. Women’s Amateur titles between 1980-1982. “When I look back at it now I don’t know how in the world I won three in a row because in match play you get somebody hot and you’re out of there,” said Inkster. “It’s probably my best accomplishment as a golfer, either professional or amateur.” Before turning pro, she also won the 1981 California Amateur, represented the United States on the Curtis Cup team in 1982 and was a collegiate All-American at San Jose State four years. Inkster graduated to the LPGA Tour in 1983 and won her first title in only her fifth start. She became the first LPGA rookie to win two major championships in one season-the 1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore and the du Maurier Classic. Suddenly, she was the brightest young star in women’s golf. Inkster was a consistent winner during the 1980s, winning four times in 1986 and collecting her second Dinah Shore title in 1989. In 1992, she lost out on a third Dinah Shore title to Dottie Pepper in sudden death and the U.S. Women’s Open, the one trophy she desperately wanted, to Patty Sheehan in an 18-hole playoff. From 1993 until 1997, Inkster didn’t win a tournament as she adjusted to juggling a career and a family. Inkster had averaged two wins a year until 1990 when her first daughter, Hayley, was born. To become a top-level athlete, she says, “You have to be a little selfish. Until I had kids, for almost my whole life my whole day was being Juli Inkster. It was about me. And then that all changed. There were a lot of times when I was running around with my head cut off, feeling like I wasn’t putting 100 into my kids and not 100 into my golf. That’s not how it was, but that’s how I felt. It was tough to find a balance, and in the mid-1990s my golf had to take a back seat.” But that all changed in the late 1990s, Inkster said. “My daughters know they are loved. My husband and I have made a stable home for them. Maybe there are some soccer games I don’t get to, but then in the winter, I can coach Hayley’s basketball team. I’ve come to a peace that I can’t be there all the time but I can give them what they need. When I understood that, my golf game got better. I don’t take every game as life and death. I’ve just matured, I guess.” Inkster’s game rebounded with wins in 1997 and 1998. In 1999, the change in the LPGA Hall of Fame requirements, which put her only seven points shy of qualifying, gave a jolt to her game. “Even though I felt it was easier, I felt like it was still out of reach,” she said.A rejuvenated Inkster provided one of the most memorable seasons in LPGA Tour history in 1999. She won five times, including finally winning that elusive U.S. Women’s Open. After achieving that lifelong goal, three weeks later she won the LPGA Championship to become only the fourth woman to win the career Grand Slam. The final point to qualify for the Hall of Fame came at the Safeway Championship, where she received a champagne shower from her fellow competitors after holing the final putt.

Excerpt Taken From http://www.wgv.com/hof/member.php?member=1064

SUNNINGDALE, England AP — Juli Inkster had the sort of opening round Annika Sorenstam was hoping for at the Women’s British Open, a bogey-free 7-under 65 that left the 48-year-old American one shot ahead of the field.While Sorenstam struggled to a 72 in what the Swede says is her final major before she quits tournament golf at the end of the season to start a family, Inkster went out among the earliest in the field to shoot an eagle and five birdies. Her 65 matched the lowest opening round at any Women’s British Open.Inkster, whose last major title was the 2002 Women’s U.S. Open, is a stroke ahead of seven players – Ji-Yai Shin, Ji Young Oh, Yuri Fudoh, Momoko Ueda, Jo Head, Laura Diaz and Stacy Prammanasudh. Defending champion Lorena Ochoa was three strokes behind.Inkster’s opening round gives her a realistic hope of becoming the oldest winner of a major and the second player to complete a career Super Slam.That’s the Kraft Nabisco, LPGA Championship, U.S. Open, British Open and the now defunct du Maurier, a combination only Karrie Webb has completed. Not even Sorenstam can do that because she missed out on the du Maurier.A victory in Sunningdale also would mean that Inkster would have gone a women’s record 24 years between her first major – the 1984 Kraft Nabisco and du Maurier – and her last. Jack Nicklaus went 24 years between his first and last majors – the 1962 U.S. Open and 1986 Masters.While Sorenstam’s decade of domination has brought 10 majors and 72 tournament victories, the product of a fiercely competitive nature and ability to grind out results, Inkster said her own longevity reflects something else.”I always thought I would play about five years and have a couple of kids and retire,” said Inkster, a mother of two teenagers. “I’m kind of unique. I really love the game and I go out and play for fun. I think with Annika it’s a lot of hard work. Every time she tees it up she’s expected to win. Her work ethic is just grind, grind, work out, hit balls.”I don’t think Annika could come out here and finish 15th on the money list and live with herself. Me, I’m OK with that. I enjoy what I do. I love playing golf but it’s not the end of the world for me.”Inkster acknowledged she was getting close to retirement.”I play 16 to 18 tournaments a year and get the rest off,” she said. “And I like what I do so I just play. I’m not sure that I’m going to play next year but I have plans to finish out this year and then I’m going to re-evaluate and see. But I’m getting close.”Prammanasudh twice was tied with Inkster at 7 under but each time she drew even she followed with bogeys at Nos. 15 and 17.At one stage, Sorenstam was 3 over after bogeys at three of the first six holes. She finally birdied the ninth, picked up more shots after the turn, but is still seven strokes behind the leader.”I was looking forward to a wonderful day, but I’ve never made as many bogeys as I have the last three months and it’s driving me crazy,” Sorenstam said. “I don’t know what to do. It’s so disappointing that I can’t post something low. It seems like I can’t play 18 holes.”Ochoa birdied the first two holes and was 5 under after 15. But two bogeys toward the end of her round left her at 69.”On the 17th tee, I got really mad, a bad drive off the tee and I didn’t hit a good chip,” said the Mexican, whose triumph at St. Andrews a year ago was her first major. “But the rest, I have no complaints. I think the first day I’m not worried.”Inbee Park, the Women’s U.S. Open champion, shot a 74. She dropped a shot at the opening hole and had double bogeys at Nos. 5 and 6 to reach the turn at 4-over 40.

Excerpt Taken From http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1828161,00.html

Index People Athletes Golf Juli Inkster QuoteComment Recommend I was not doing very good at the golf thing, I didn’t think I was doing any good at the Mommy thing, and I always stunk at the wife thing … I felt like I wasn’t doing anything great. That offseason, I started working with Mike McGetrick. I said, ‘If I’m going to do this, there’s got to be some type of plan to get me on the right track.’ It took until Hayley was 2 when I realized that as long as she’s with me, it doesn’t matter. 08/05/2009 11:42 AM Honolulu Star-BulletinInkster primed for Solheim Cup08/05/2009 11:42 AM Honolulu Star-BulletinJuli Inkster doesn’t believe everything she reads, even if she’s the one who said it.

Perhaps the most significant of her seven majors was the U.S. Women’s Open in 1999, the biggest event in her sport and one that eluded her for a decade. Inkster was 39Related topics:Juli Inkster United States Michelle Wie Chicago Hawaii Previous Next Get alerts about Juli InksterSubscribe to an RSS feed about Juli InksterSubscribe Other topicsTopics in the newsBarack ObamaRepublican PartyDemocratic PartyBoston Red SoxNASCARNew York YankeesMLB World SeriesMinnesota TwinsRon GardenhireNational Weather ServiceBrowse CategoriesBrandsCultureEvents and AwardsHealth and WellnessLegislation and ActsNatural and Physical SciencesOrganizationsPeoplePlaces, GeographyReligion and beliefsMost read stories from USA TODAYUSATODAY.com – Hollywood modesty uncovered10h 24m agoBart Scott, Mathias Kiwanuka: No possibility of playing for Rush Limbaugh-owned team – The Huddle: Football News from the NFL – USATODAY.com1d 8h agoPolice: Florida man mistakenly kills fiancee on wedding eve – USATODAY.com9h 24m agoLottery Results: Powerball, Mega Millions & More – USATODAY.com8h 24m agoLifeline Live: Celebrity Gossip & Entertainment News from Hollywood6d 13h ago

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