(August 13, 2022 - Prior Lake, Minnesota) - Defending champion Juli Inkster fired an opening round 67 to take a one-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round at the Land O’Lakes Legends Classic presented by The Meadows of Mystic Lake. The six-time Legends of the LPGA champion carded five birdies and no bogies.
“I hit the ball really well today,” said Inkster, an LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer who captured 31 wins on the LPGA Tour, including seven major championship titles. “I only missed one green. Putting was a little shaky, so that was frustrating, but I hit the ball solid.”
Conditions were uncharacteristically breezy and cool, and yesterday’s rain left the The Meadows at Mystic Lake golf course much softer than it was on tournament weekend in 2021. “The course is playing a lot different from last year,” said Inkster. “Last year it was dry and running fast. The ball was really rolling. This year you can fly the ball to the hole. I like where I’m hitting the ball.”
Becky Iverson, a native of Madison, Wisc., posted a 68 and will be paired with Inkster in the final group on Sunday. “I wasn’t in the pro-am on Friday, so instead I went to 2nd Swing - one of the sponsors of the event - and got fitted for new clubs,” said Iverson. “I used the new irons today and am hitting the ball a lot better.” Iverson was paired today with longtime friend Audra Burks (69) and felt comfortable the whole way around.
“Audra drained about a 50-footer on the second hole, and I guess that got things started for us,” chuckled Iverson, who turned pro in 1989 and competed on the LPGA Tour for over 15 years, winning one tournament. “I don’t compete as much anymore, so I think every day is its own day. Today was a good one.”
Burks, Nicole Jeray (69), Leta Lindley (69) and tournament co-owner Michele Redman (69) are locked at T3 going into tomorrow’s final round. Five more players are tied for 7th, three shots behind Inkster at 2 under par.
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Tickets are $25 at the gate. Kids 17 and under admitted free with a ticketed adult. Active and retired military get in free with ID. Free parking is available adjacent to the golf course. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. and tee times start on Hole #1 at 9:00 a.m. For more information, please visit LegendsClassicMN.com.
PHOTO CREDIT - Jeff Lawler, MGA
Tournament co-owner Michele Redman, a four-time Legends of the LPGA champion, hits her drive off the first tee in the Land O'Lakes Legends Classic.
Nicole Jeray is among four players sitting two shots back of overnight leader Juli Inkster.