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Moments of greatness and disgust
Posted: Wednesday April 19, 2000 12:22 PM
Leta Lindley, 27, is in her sixth season on the LPGA Tour. She had her best year in 1999 with a tie for second, as well as four other top 10 finishes. In 1997, she finished second at the LPGA Championship, losing to Chris Johnson on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. She was a four-time All-American at the University of Arizona and set an NCAA record for lowest 54-hole score (9 under par). Check out Lindley's diary each Wednesday on CNNSI.com.
April 19, 2000 I think I'm getting sick. I started getting asthma-like symptoms in my chest and throat. You know when you can just tell that you're getting sick? That's how I feel. I think it was the red-eye flight I took on Sunday from San Francisco that did it. You just can't rest on the red-eye. Plus, the plane is just filled with all that recycled air and germs. But at least I won't over-exert myself this week. I think I'm going to have to take it easy. I'm not overly upset!
Last week's tournament? Hmmm. It was a great golf course. It's really one of my favorites. You have to concentrate on every shot. The course has my attention for the entire round. It would really mean a lot to me to play well on a course like that. But I unfortunately did not hit it very well. I had moments of greatness and moments of horror or disgust -- I can't think of the right word. I did things that reminded me of the play of my pro-am partners (sorry). I didn't hit my driver well. The driver just sets up the hole, so it's one of the most important clubs in the bag. When I'm not hitting my driver, it's especially difficult for me since I consider it to be my bread and butter. I'm usually just so straight. And I wasn't just a little errant, I was a lot errant. I saw the hay on a few holes. I was able to get away with some missed shots with other clubs, but at times my driver got me into some trouble. It's hard. You're standing at the tee looking to the left and to the right saying, "Okay, if I had to miss it, which would be the lesser of two evils?" That's just not a good thought to have in your head. Luckily, my short game saved me -- I putted and chipped really well. But the good news is that I got it around the course to finish tied for 17th. I finished my last three holes birdie, birdie, birdie, so leaving that way was a real positive. I also know there's room for improvement. Isn't Juli Inkster just amazing? To go back and defend her title -- obviously I can't yet imagine what that's like. But she's done it many times in her career. She's got two daughters, she's over 40 -- between her and Nancy Lopez, if I could model my career after anybody, it would be those two. It was kind of interesting with my roommate, Jackie Gallagher-Smith. I think I mentioned last week in the diary that we were paired together for the first two rounds. And then our playing partner pulled out after eight holes with a wrist injury. So then we were playing alone together. It was hard because she didn't make the cut, but we had a great time. We would talk a little bit at night about the day. She tried to leave early, but she couldn't get out. So she didn't leave until Sunday night, too. She did other things, worked out and practiced. It was obviously frustrating to be stuck there. But she was really good about it. The next tournament isn't until next week. We play in Stockbridge, Georgia at the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship. My husband loves this tournament because he just loves the Chick-fil-A chain of restaurants. I'm not sure if they have them everywhere, but they do in Florida and he just loves their chicken sandwich and nuggets. I have to admit, they are way better than McDonald's or Burger King nuggets. And they'll have a little trailer at the tournament where they'll be selling them. You'll see all the caddies lined up there. Matt's going to come -- but not just for the chicken. The tournament starts Friday and he'll be there. He was frustrated last week, since I was frustrated and it's hard to help me over the phone. Scott Biehl is caddying for me next week while Tommy is on his honeymoon. I've known him since my rookie year, and he's a good caddie. He had this week open, so it worked out well. The big thing for me this week (aside from feeling better) is to go to a mall! I haven't been to one in a month and a half. I need a new pair of tennis shoes and I want to see what's in style this season. Wish me luck. -- Leta
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