Inkster wins rain-plagued Chick-fil-A Championship

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Posted 9:37PM on Sunday, May 5, 2002

STOCKBRIDGE - Juli Inkster isn't sure how long she can keep this up. Clearly, though, the 41-year-old mother of two isn't ready to put away her clubs just yet. Inkster overcame an extended layoff to win the rain-plagued Chick-fil-A Charity Championship, shooting a 6-under 66 Sunday for the 27th victory of her Hall of Fame career. She was cheered on by husband Brian and their children, 12-year-old Hayley and 8-year-old Cori, as an eagle at No. 18 clinched a two-stroke victory over Kelly Robbins. ``Sometimes, with all that's going on at home, I'm not ready to play,'' Inkster said. ``To come and win with my family here, and not know how many more times I can do it, that makes it more special for me.'' Inkster's kids keep her busy back home in California, juggling schoolwork with softball and basketball. She enjoys coaching their teams, which limits her time on the golf course. ``It gets tougher and tougher,'' said Inkster, who has cut her schedule to about 20 events a year. ``I have to pick and choose.'' Inkster returned to the course for the first time since Friday afternoon, having waited through two days of incessant rain that forced the tournament to be reduced from 54 to 36 holes. She overcame a two-shot deficit at the start of the round to win with a 12-under 132 total. ``I don't have to remind anybody that I'm still out here,'' said Inkster, who held off a bunch of younger players. ``When I'm playing well, I'm capable of playing as well as them.'' The muddy course was bathed in bright sunshine at the end, and Inkster finished in style at the par-5 18th. She knocked her second shot to 8 feet, pumping her fist and waving her visor when the eagle putt dropped in. Robbins, who led by two strokes after the first round, struggled much of the round before finishing birdie-birdie-eagle for a 70 and a 134 total. Defending tournament champion Annika Sorenstam opened with a 69 but couldn't cope with the water-logged course at Eagles Landing Country Club. She soared to a 75 only the second time in 20 rounds this year that she's been over par. Sorenstam finished the 36-hole event in a tie for 59th, her worst showing of the year by far. In her first five events, the Swede won twice, finished second twice and placed seventh the other time. Robbins posted a 64 Friday and, like Inkster, had to wait around for nearly 48 hours to take her next shot because of rain that forced two delays and two suspensions. Unlike Inkster, Robbins appeared rusty, hitting plenty of errant drives and shaky putts before the strong finish gave her another runner-up finish at the Atlanta-area tournament. ``I couldn't find my swing,'' she said. ``Blame the day off? I don't know. OK, sure, I will. I thought I would play better early.'' Robbins has finished second three times at Eagles Landing. ``Another second,'' she moaned. ``Don't get me wrong, I'll take it. But I'd like to do a little better one of these times.'' This time, Robbins lost the lead with back-to-back bogeys beginning at No. 7. Everyone who started the second round on Saturday returned to the course at 7:30 in the morning to finish up. Se Ri Pak turned in a 67, heading to the clubhouse with a share of the lead at 8 under. The other leaders didn't even tee off until almost three hours later. Pak spent the rest of the day eating lunch with friends, watching TV and packing for the next tournament in Nashville, Tenn. She was knocked out of the lead for good when Inkster sank a 6-footer for birdie at No. 9. ``I had nothing to lose our there,'' said Pak, who wound up four strokes back at 136. Inkster's booming, accurate drives set up some short iron shots. She broke a tie with Grace Park by sinking another 6-foot birdie at 14. Park struggled the rest of the way. She missed the green with her second shot at 15, chipped to 2.5 feet but watched the putt slide by the right side of the cup. At the par-3 16th, she yanked her drive left of the green and couldn't get up-and-down, taking another bogey that ended her chances. ``Unfortunately, I made a couple of mistakes toward the end,'' Park said. ``That stunk.'' Karrie Webb, seeking her first victory of the year, also went out early in the morning. She charged into the lead with an eagle at No. 6 and a birdie at 7, pushing her score to 9 under. But the Australian fell apart after the turn. Two straight bogeys began her slide, which culminated with a 39 on the back side, a 71 for the round and a 138 overall. Laura Diaz, the third member of the final group, finished third with a 9-under 135. DIVOTS: For the 15th time since 1963, an LPGA event was shortened to 36 holes. Only five times has the 18-hole leader held on to win. ... Inkster stretched her streak of winning at least one tournament to six years in a row. ... Tournament host Nancy Lopez, playing her last full year on the tour, soared to an 80 after shooting 72 in the first round. ... LPGA player Caroline McMillan gave birth to her second child last week. Benjamin Pierce weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces.