JULI INKSTER
Birthdate: June 24, 1960
Birth Place: Santa Cruz, Calif.
Age: 49 - Ht.: 5’7"
Home: Los Altos, Calif.
College: San Jose State
Turned Professional: 1983
Joined LPGA Tour: 1983
LPGA Tour Victories: 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
Unofficial Victories (6): 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). 2004 Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge (with Cristie Kerr and Grace Park).
LPGA Awards (2): 1984 LPGA Rookie of the Year. 2004 William and Mousie Powell Award. The Solheim Cup (7): 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007.
Player Notes:
Married, 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.
Inkster captured the U.S. Women’s Amateur title from 1980-82 to become the first woman since 1934 to win three consecutive U.S. Women’s Amateur titles. Only four other women and one man have won the U.S. Amateur three consecutive times. She was a member of the USA Curtis Cup (1982) and World Cup (1980 and 1982) teams. Winner of the 1981 California Women’s Amateur Championship, she was California’s 1981 Amateur of the Year and 1982 Bay Area Athlete of the Year. The number-one ranked amateur by Golf Digest from 1981-82, Inkster was a collegiate All-American for three years (1979, 1981-82) and also won the 1982 Broderick Award.
* In 2008 recorded a season-best runner-up finish at the SemGroup Championship presented by John Q. Hammons, where she lost a two-hole, sudden-death playoff to Paula Creamer. Recorded two additional top-10 finishes with a tie for third at the Samsung World Championship and a tie for ninth at the Evian Masters. Recorded a season-low 65 in final round of the Safeway International presented by Coca-Cola and the first round of the RICOH Women’s British Open. Crossed $12 million mark in career earnings at the Grand China Air LPGA.
* Has won the Samsung World Championship three times (1997-98, 2000) and 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 and McDonald’s LPGA Championship (1999-2000); and U.S. Women’s Open (1999, 2002).
* In 2007, recorded a season-best runner-up finish at the SemGroup Championship presented by John Q. Hammons where she lost in a one-hole, sudden-death playoff to Mi Hyun Kim; carded her second LPGA career hole-in-one at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill; made her seventh Solheim Cup appearance, where she scored three points for the victorious U.S. Team.
* In 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 (at the time) to reach that milestone; crossed the $11 million mark in career earnings with her tie for fourth at the Weetabix Women’s British Open.
* In 2005, recorded a season-best second-place finish at the ShopRite LPGA Classic; made her sixth appearance on the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team, posting a 2-1-1 record.
* In 2004, recorded seven top-10 finishes, including a season-best tie for second at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill; 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.
* In 2003, 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 lowest final round by a winner, and her 29 birdies in the event tied an LPGA record for most sub-par holes in a single event); won her 30th career title at the Evian Masters; also recorded a 62 during the second round of the Welch’s/Fry’s Championship; crossed the $8 million mark in career earnings after the ShopRite LPGA Classic; was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team, recording a 3-1-0 record.
* In 2002, fired a 66 in the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open to overtake Annika Sorenstam and win her seventh major championship and her fourth major in four years; won the rain-shortened Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez after a pair of 66s; crossed the $7 million mark in career earnings after finishing tied for second at the ShopRite LPGA Classic; was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team, recording a 2-2 record.
* In 2001, won her 26th tournament title at the Electrolux USA Championship Hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant.
* In 2000, won her second consecutive title 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; 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 Ladies European Tour (LET); and was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
* In 1999, captured five tournament titles, including two major championships, and became an LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame member 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—Karrie Webb joined them in 2001 and Annika Sorenstam in 2003) to complete the modern day LPGA Career Grand Slam; Inkster, Bradley, Sorenstam, Webb, Louise Suggs and Mickey Wright are the only players to complete the LPGA 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; finished second 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 LPGA career hole-in-one during the third round of Lifetime’s AFLAC Tournament of Champions; and was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
* 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, daughter Cori; 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, won the JAL Big Apple Classic; was in two major championship playoffs: lost to Dottie (Pepper) Mochrie at the Nabisco Dinah Shore on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff and to Patty Sheehan at the U.S. Women’s Open in an 18-hole playoff; and was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
* In 1991, won the LPGA Bay State Classic.
* In 1990, played a limited schedule due to the birth of her first daughter, Hayley; Best finish was 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; and at the Atlantic City Classic, defeated Beth Daniel in a sudden-death playoff.
* In 1987, best finish was a tie for fourth at the Atlantic City Classic.
* In 1986, captured four tournament titles; 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, the Nabisco Dinah Shore and the du Maurier Classic (Se Ri Pak matched that feat in 1998); won the Nabisco Dinah Shore in a sudden-death playoff with Pat Bradley; named LPGA Rookie of the Year.
* In 1983, qualified for the Tour in August and captured her first win at her fifth event, the SAFECO Classic.
1990 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -18; Rounds Played - 53; In Money - 13; Top-10 Finishes - 3; Scoring Average - 73.32; Money - $54,251.00; Best Finish - 5th at the Planter’s Pat Bradley International
1991 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -26; Rounds Played - 86; In Money - 21; Top-10 Finishes - 6; Scoring Average - 72.28; Money - $213,095.00; Best Finish - Win at the Welch’s Championship
1992 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -24; Rounds Played - 85; In Money - 22; Top-10 Finishes - 10; Scoring Average - 71.44; Money - $392,063.00; Best Finish - Win at the Sybase Classic
1993 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -21; Rounds Played - 68; In Money - 15; Top-10 Finishes - 2; Scoring Average - 72.50; Money - $116,583.83; Best Finish - 2nd at the San Diego Inamori Golf Classic
1994 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -16; Rounds Played - 53; In Money - 13; Top-10 Finishes - 3; Scoring Average - 72.00; Money - $113,829.50; Best Finish - T-2nd at the Welch’s Championship
1995 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -20; Rounds Played - 65; In Money - 16; Top-10 Finishes - 5; Scoring Average - 72.46; Money - $195,739.00; Best Finish - 2nd at the The Champions Classic
1995 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -22; Rounds Played - 76; In Money - 20; Top-10 Finishes - 7; Scoring Average - 71.64; Money - $259,660.00; Best Finish - 4th at the Michelob Light Classic and The Champions Classic
1997 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -24; Rounds Played - 89; In Money - 24; Top-10 Finishes - 10; Scoring Average - 70.64; Money - $557,988.00; Best Finish - Win at the Samsung World Championship
1998 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -25; Rounds Played - 89; In Money - 23; Top-10 Finishes - 12; Scoring Average - 70.78; Money - $656,012.00; Best Finish - Win at the Samsung World Championship
1999 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -24; Rounds Played - 85; In Money - 23; Top-10 Finishes - 18; Scoring Average - 70.04; Money - $1,337,253.00; Best Finish - Win at the Welch’s /Circle K Championship,Longs Drugs Challenge,U.S. Women’s Open,McDonald’s LPGA Championship and Safeway Classic
2000 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -19; Rounds Played - 71; In Money - 18; Top-10 Finishes - 13; Scoring Average - 70.73; Money - $980,330.00 Rank (4th); Best Finish - Win at the Longs Drugs Challenge,McDonald’s LPGA Championship and Samsung World Championship
2001 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -20; Rounds Played - 71; In Money - 18; Top-10 Finishes - 5; Scoring Average - 71.34; Money - $455,087.00 Rank (22nd); Best Finish - Win at the Electrolux USA Championship
2002 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -20; Rounds Played - 68; In Money - 18; Top-10 Finishes - 10; Scoring Average - 70.82; Money - $1,154,349.00 Rank (3rd); Best Finish - Win at the Atlanta Charity Championship and U.S. Women’s Open
2003 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -21; Rounds Played - 73; In Money - 18; Top-10 Finishes - 9; Scoring Average - 70.55; Money - $1,028,205.00 Rank (5th); Best Finish - Win at the LPGA Corning Classic and Evian Ladies Masters
2004 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -21; Rounds Played - 79; In Money - 21; Top-10 Finishes - 7; Scoring Average - 70.87 Rank (12th); Money - $654,967.00 Rank (13th); Best Finish - T-2nd at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill
2005 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -19; Rounds Played - 66; In Money - 19; Top-10 Finishes - 6; Scoring Average - 71.33 Rank (7th); Money - $579,240.00 Rank (24th); Best Finish - 2nd at the ShopRite LPGA Classic
2006 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -21; Rounds Played - 73; In Money - 21; Top-10 Finishes - 13; Scoring Average - 70.48 Rank (5th); Money - $1,326,442.00 Rank (7th); Best Finish - Win at the Safeway International
2007 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -20; Rounds Played - 67; In Money - 18; Top-10 Finishes - 7; Scoring Average - 72.09 Rank (22nd); Money - $736,521.00 Rank (18th); Best Finish - 2nd at the SemGroup Championship
2008 LPGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered -18; Rounds Played - 67; In Money - 16; Top-10 Finishes - 3; Scoring Average - 71.78 Rank (25th); Money - $441,484.00 Rank (38th); Best Finish - 2nd at the SemGroup Championship
