Player Biography

JULI INKSTER Birthdate: June 24, 1960 Birthplace: Santa Cruz, Calif. Age: 47 Ht: 5’7" Home: Los Altos, Calif. College: San Jose State Turned Professional: 1983
Joined LPGA Tour: 1983 LPGA Tour Wins: 31 - 1983 SAFECO Classic. 1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore, du Maurier Classic. 1985 Lady Keystone Open. 1986 Women's Kemper Open, McDonald's Championship, Lady Keystone Open, Atlantic City Classic. 1988 Crestar Classic, Atlantic City Classic, SAFECO Classic. 1989 Nabisco Dinah Shore, Crestar Classic. 1991 LPGA Bay State Classic. 1992 JAL Big Apple Classic. 1997 Samsung World Championship of Women's Golf. 1998 Samsung World Championship of Women's Golf. 1999 Welch's/Circle K Championship, Longs Drugs Challenge, U.S. Women's Open, McDonald's LPGA Championship, Safeway LPGA Golf Championship. 2000 Longs Drugs Challenge, McDonald's LPGA Championship, Samsung World Championship, 2001 Electrolux USA Championship Hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, 2002 Chick-Fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez,U.S. Women's Open. 2003 LPGA Corning Classic, Evian Masters, 2006 Safeway International Other Wins: 1986 JCPenney Classic (with Tom Purtzer). 1996 Diners Club Matches (with Dottie Pepper). 1997 Diners Club Matches (with Dottie Pepper). 1999 Diners Club Matches (with Dottie Pepper). 2000 Hyundai Team Matches (with Dottie Pepper) The Solheim Cup (6): 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005. Player Notes: Captured three consecutive U.S. Women's Amateur titles from 1980-82 to become the first woman since 1934 to win three straight…Only four other women and one man have won the U.S. Women's Amateur or U.S. Amateur three consecutive times…Member of the 1982 USA Curtis Cup (1982) and Women’s World Amateur (1980 and 1982) teams…Winner of the 1981 California Amateur…Named California's 1981 Amateur of the Year and 1982 Bay Area Athlete of the Year…Collegiate All-American for four years (1979-82) at San Jose State…Won the 1982 Broderick Award…Husband Brian is a golf pro…Gave birth to first child, daughter, Hayley Carole, on Feb. 4, 1990…Gave birth to second daughter, Cori Simpson, on March 25, 1994…Maiden name is Simpson…Plays out of Los Altos CC…Voted 1999 Female Player of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America…Recognized during the LPGA’s 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the LPGA’s top 50 players and teachers. Professional 2006 • Earned her 31st career win at the Safeway International Presented by Coca-Cola, where she crossed the $10 million mark in career earnings to become only the third player in LPGA history to reach that milestone. • Recorded 11 additional top-10 finishes, including two runner-up finishes at the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship and The Mitchell Company LPGA Tournament of Champions presented by Kathy Ireland Worldwide. • Crossed the $11 million mark in career earnings with her tie for fourth at the Weetabix Women’s British Open. • Carded a season-low 63 during the final round of the LPGA Takefuji Classic, where she posted a Tour-high seven consecutive birdies among 11 total birdies during the final round to finish fourth. • Was the fifth of a record 11 season millionaires on Tour after a tie for 15th at the Evian Masters. 2006 Stats (rank) Rds under par: 43/73 (7) Rds in the 60s: 25/73 (7) Birdies: 275 (25) Eagles: 5 (20) Greens in reg: 72.1% (7) Driving accuracy: 72.3% (60) Sand saves: 50% (9) Putts per GIR: 1.79 (20) Driving avg: 255.8 (46) 2005 • Recorded six top-10 finishes, including a season-best second-place finish at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she carded a season-low 65 in the first round. • Tied for third at the Safeway International Presented by Coca-Cola. • Tied for fourth at The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions presented by Kathy Ireland Worldwide. • Was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team, posting a 2-1-1 record; made her sixth appearance on the U.S. Team. 2005 Stats (rank) Rds under par: 35/66 (5) Rds in the 60s: 23/66 (2) Birdies: 243 (26) Eagles: 2 (61) Greens in reg: 70.1% (22) Driving accuracy: 69.9% (108) Sand saves: 37.5% (72) Putts per GIR: 1.76 (4) Driving avg: 251.2 (40) 2004 Highlights • Recorded seven top-10 finishes, including a season-best tie for second at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill and a third place at the Long Drugs Challenge, where she carded season-low 66s in the first and second rounds. • Also posted season-low 66s in the final round of the Welch's/Fry's Championship, first round of The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions and second round of the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola, where she tied for sixth. • Crossed the $9 million mark in career earnings with a tie for fourth at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. • Teamed with Grace Park and Cristie Kerr to win the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge, an unofficial event. • Recipient of the William and Mousie Powell Award. 2004 Stats (Rank) Rds under par: 42/79 (19) Rds in the 60s: 27/79 (8) Birdies: 293 (23) Eagles: 7 (19) Greens in reg: 67.6% (42) Driving accuracy: 65.5% (132) Sand saves: 38.7% (51) Putts per GIR: 1.77 (7) Driving avg: 259.5 (21) 2003 Highlights • Recorded 11 birdies en route to a career-low 62 in the final round of the LPGA Corning Classic to win her 29th career LPGA title; her 62 tied the LPGA record for the lowest final-round score and lowest final-round score by a winner; her 29 birdies in the event also tied an LPGA record for most sub-par holes in a single event. • Won her 30th career title at the Evian Masters, where she shot 64 and 65 on the weekend. • Also recorded a 62 during the second round of the Welch's/Fry's Championship, where she tied for 11th. • Recorded seven other top-10 finishes, including a runner-up finish at the BMO Financial Group Canadian Women's Open. • Surpassed the $1 million mark in single-season earnings for the second consecutive season and third time in her career after earning $1,028,205; finished fifth on the ADT Official Money List. • Crossed the $8 million mark in career earnings after the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she tied for third; ranks third on the LPGA career money list behind Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb. • Was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team, recording a 3-1-0 record. 2003 Stats (Rank)   Rds under par: 40/73 (12) Rds in the 60s: 33/73 (4) Birdies: 301 (14)   Eagles: 10 (4) Greens in reg: 69.1% (17) Driving accuracy: 73.1% (43)   Sand saves: 46.2% (11) Putts per GIR: 1.76 (4) Driving avg: 264.6 (12) 2002 Highlights • Fired a 66 in the final round of the U.S. Women's Open to overtake Annika Sorenstam and win her seventh major championship, moving into sixth place all-time in major championship victories; it was her fourth major championship victory in the last four years. • Won the rain-shortened Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez after a pair of 66s. • Recorded seven other top-10 finishes, including runner-up finishes at the Welch's/Circle K Championship and the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she tied for second. • Eclipsed the $1 million mark in single season earnings for the second time in her career after earning a career-best • $1,154,349; finished the season ranked third on the LPGA season money list behind Annika Sorenstam and Se Ri Pak. • Crossed the $7 million mark in career earnings after finishing tied for second at the ShopRite LPGA Classic; ranks third on the LPGA career money list behind Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb. • Was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team, recording a 2-2 record. 2002 Stats (rank) Rds under par: 37/68 (9) Rds in the 60s: 16/68 (29) Birdies: 244 (25) Eagles: 7 (13) Greens in reg: 68.8% (17) Driving accuracy: 68.4% (100) Sand saves: 34% (96) Putting avg: 28.97 (7) Driving avg: 257.2 (34) 2001 Highlights • Won her 26th tournament title at the Electrolux USA Championship Hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, where she carded a season-low 65 in the final round. • Tied for fifth at the Subaru Memorial of Naples and finished sixth at the Samsung World Championship. • In the 20 events she entered, posted five top-10 finishes and 10 additional top-20 finishes. 2001 Stats (rank) Rds under par: 38/71 (11) Rds in the 60s: 20/71 (16) Birdies: 260 (30) Eagles: 9 (10) Greens in reg: 69% (21) Driving accuracy: 73.8% (44) Sand saves: 25.6% (177) Putting avg: 30.18 (77) Driving avg: 252.50 (24) Career Highlights • Has won the following tournaments twice: SAFECO Classic (1983, 1988); Nabisco Dinah Shore (1984, 1989); Lady Keystone Open (1985-86); Crestar Classic (1988- 89); Atlantic City Classic (1986, 1988); Longs Drugs Challenge (1999-2000) and McDonald's LPGA Championship (1999-2000). • Has won the Samsung World Championship three times (1997-98, 2000). • In 2000, won her second consecutive titles at both the Longs Drugs Challenge and the McDonald’s LPGA Championship; won her third career Samsung World Championship title; won the McDonald’s LPGA Championship after defeating Stefania Croce on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to became only the third player in LPGA history to capture back-to-back victories at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship, joining Patty Sheehan (1983-84) and Mickey Wright (1960-61); tied her career-low score of 64 during the final round of the Welch’s/Circle K Championship; crossed the $6 million mark in career earnings; inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Nov. 20; won the Compaq Swedish Open on the Evian Ladies European Tour (LET). • In 1999, captured five tournament titles, including two major championships, and earned her way into the prestigious LPGA Tour Hall of Fame with her 22nd victory at the Safeway LPGA Golf Championship; won the U.S. Women's Open and McDonald's LPGA Championship to become only the second woman in LPGA history (after Pat Bradley in 1986) to complete the modern day Career Grand Slam; Inkster joins Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright and Bradley as the only players to complete the Career Grand Slam; crossed the $1 million mark in season earnings after only 16 events; crossed the $4 million and $5 million marks in career earnings; ranked in the top-15 in seven statistical categories, including second place in the Vare Trophy race for lowest scoring average on Tour; finished the season second to Karrie Webb for Rolex Player of the Year honors. • In 1998, recorded her 17th career LPGA victory when she successfully defended her title at the Samsung World Championship of Women's Golf; recorded her first career hole-in-one during the third round of Lifetime's AFLAC Tournament of Champions; tied her career-low round of 64 during the second round of the Standard Register PING. • In 1997, passed the $3 million mark in career earnings by virtue of her victory at the Samsung World Championship of Women's Golf, which she won in a sudden-death playoff against Kelly Robbins and Helen Alfredsson. • In 1996, best finish was fourth at both the Michelob Light Heartland Classic and the Star Bank LPGA Classic. • In 1995, best finish was second at the Star Bank LPGA Classic. • In 1994, played a limited season of 16 events due to the birth of her second child; best finish was a tie for second at the PING Welch's Championship in Boston. • In 1993, best finish was second at the Kyocera Inamori Classic. • In 1992, was in two major championship playoffs: she was defeated by Dottie Mochrie at the Nabisco Dinah Shore on the first hole and lost to Patty Sheehan at the U.S. Women's Open in an 18-hole playoff. • In 1992, won the JAL Big Apple Classic. • In 1991, won the LPGA Bay State Classic. • In 1990, played a limited schedule due to the birth of her first daughter; best finish was a fifth place at the Planters Pat Bradley International. • In 1989, won the Nabisco Dinah Shore and Crestar Classic, both for the second time. • In 1988, won three times; at the Crestar Classic, defeated Rosie Jones, Betsy King and Nancy Lopez in a sudden-death playoff; at the Atlantic City Classic, defeated Beth Daniel in a sudden-death playoff. • In 1987, best finish of the season was a tie for fourth at the Atlantic City Classic. • In 1986, captured four tournament titles and posted her career-low score of 64 twice; won the Lady Keystone Open in a sudden-death playoff with Debbie Massey and Cindy Hill. • In 1985, won the Lady Keystone Open. • In 1984, became the first rookie ever to win two major championships in one season, Nabisco Dinah Shore and the du Maurier Ltd. Classic; her win at the Nabisco Dinah Shore came by way of a sudden-death playoff with Pat Bradley; was named LPGA Rookie of the Year. • In 1983, joined the Tour and captured her first win at her fifth event, the SAFECO Classic.