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So excited to be here
Leta Lindley, 28, 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 (nine under par). Check out Lindley's diary each Wednesday on CNNSI.com.
July 19, 2000 I had a good week at the Big Apple Classic. I was pleased. That's one of my favorite golf courses (Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, N.Y.). The greens were slick, the rough was high, the fairways were tight. It's everything you would have wanted the week before the Open. I played and putted well. There was one problem, though. In the three rounds (one was canceled due to rain), I played the 14th hole four over par. I doubled twice and pared it once. When you think about that, four shots on one hole, it's hard not to think about how much that cost me. But I was just really happy. Things could have been better, but I did a lot of really good things.
I was ticked when I finished on Thursday. I think I doubled 14, birdied 15, and bogeyed 16 and 18. I was so mad. I didn't want to talk to anyone. It leaves such a bitter taste in your mouth to finish a round that way. I had gone out in 34, but came back in 39. But I tried to work it out and came back and played well the next day. It's so rewarding when you play well to see the hard work pay off. When you play well, it's like it suddenly erases all the tough moments. But it's such a fine line. I finished tied for 24th (earning just over $8,000), but a few things differently and it could have easily been a top 10 finish. It's right around the corner. I'm due, and now would be the perfect time. I saw the Open course for the first time on Tuesday. I'm so excited to be here. This is the best tournament. This is the biggest women's event of the year. You can feel it in the air. I'm happy to be participating in it. It's the first time the Open has been here, at Libertyville's Merit Club. There were just tons of people out on Tuesday, and lots of kids. I'd love to say they were all here to see us, but the truth is there was a three-hole tournament with Michael Jordan in it! Nancy Lopez played with Michael versus Michelle McGann and Laura Davies. I felt so sorry for him. He was mobbed. You should have seen the kids. I was afraid I was going to get mowed down. If I were him, I would buy an island somewhere. I can't imagine what it would be like. He seemed like a great guy, even though I couldn't get within 100 yards of him! It brought a lot of people out to the tournament, though. I managed to play 18 and practice my short game and work on the range. Things are good. I'm battling a little tendinitis in my left wrist. It's painful for the first few shots, then it loosens up. As I've said before, ice is my friend. I'm trying to be efficient in my practice so as to not put more strain on my wrist than I have to. The focus this week is definitely on Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and Juli Inkster, which is fine with me. I've always been in the background, the underdog. I can still sneak up the leaderboard, so it doesn't bother me if they get the press. The better they play, the more attention the Tour gets. I can answer questions about them and cheer them on, but I'm always cheering myself on, too. I don't think golfers have specific rivalries. At least for me, I'm focused more on the goal than on beating a specific person. Sometimes it limits you to focus on one person, trying to beat them. I've always had the philosophy that it's me and my golf ball against the golf course. It's also about playing against yourself. That's what makes golf so great. It's not about the other players. I think everyone goes into an Open intimidated. You're wondering how they're going to set up the course. This week the rough is high, the fairways are fast and tight, and the greens are firm. My strategy is fairways and greens and a lot of two-putts. If I happen to make some one-putts, even better. At other tournaments besides the Open, you aren't penalized as much for missing the fairways or the greens. But here, the rough is so high, you aim more for the middle of the fairways. The strategy is different. You're going to have your green-light pins, but you have to be patient and wait for those opportunities. I think I'm ready. -- Leta
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