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Birkdake was buzzing this morning when veterans Juli Inkster
and Laura Davies hit the top of the leaderboard early
LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Juli Inkster fired a one-under-par 71 in the first round of the RICOH Women's British Open. Inkster has won seven Major Championships in her career, but has never held the trophy at a British Open. She played the pro-am on Tuesday with a group of Birkdale members and marveled at how they took all the elements in stride. Inkster tried to follow that example today in the first round. "When it started to really rain out there, to the right, to the left, I stayed calm because they just seemed to have it down." Inkster also said the key to her round was "managing the bad shots." When asked how much longer she would play the Tour, Inkster remarked "I've told Brian [Inkster's husband] about ten times I'm retiring next year, so I don't even say anything anymore. But I love the game, and I just don't want to quit."
Davies, who won the 1986 Women's British Open at Birkdale,
shot an opening-round 72
Laura Davies has won 20 LPGA tournaments and another 54 world-wide. She relishes the tough conditions this week. "The tougher it is, the better ball strikers will always come to the top, and obviously I consider myself one of the better ball strikers," said Davies. Like Inkster, Davies loves the game and does not put a time limit on how long she will continue to compete. "I'm still winning. I don't really comprehend the question," said Davies.
Could this be the magical week that puts Davies into the Hall of Fame?
Davies is two points shy of gaining entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame. With a Major championship win counting for two points, Davies could enter the Hall with a victory this week.
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