In honor of 50 years of great shots and memorable moments from the ANA Inspiration, Golf Channel/NBC, after polling noted journalists who have covered the women’s game for decades, compiled the Top-5 Shots in ANA Inspiration History.
All week, fans can vote for their favorite shot here:
https://cloud.email.golfchannel.com/ANA_Inspiration
The shots include:
A long bunker shot holed by Betsy King for birdie on the 16th hole of the final round in 1987. King, long known for her impressive short game, blasted out from the deep sand right of the green. The ball released at a perfect speed and found the hole. King leapt in the air, her arms aloft. She went on to tie Patty Sheehan and win in a playoff. It was King’s first of six career major championship titles.
In 2009, Brittany Lincicome didn’t lead until the last hole when she ripped a 19-degree hybrid from 210 yards into the center of the green on the par-5 18th. The ball rolled toward the back fringe, took the slope and trickled down to 3 feet. Lincicome made the putt for eagle and earned her first major championship win.
In 2006, Karrie Webb thought she needed a birdie at the final hole to force a playoff. Instead, she hit a wedge from 116 yards that found took one bounce forward, released and found the cup at a perfect speed. It was a walk-off victory and a celebration that will long be remembered.
In 2018, Pernilla Lindberg had the putting week of her life, holing one critical putt after another to keep her in the lead for four nights. It took eight extra holes and an additional day but on Monday morning, Lindberg holed a 25-footer on the 10th green for birdie to defeat LPGA Hall of Fame member Inbee Park. It was Lindberg’s first LPGA Tour victory and her only major.
Stacy Lewis was not expected to win the ANA Inspiration in 2011. She was in the final group but hadn’t won an event at that time. She was also going against World No.1 Yani Tseng. But that Sunday afternoon, Lewis showed the world the grit and tenacity that would become her trademark. On the par-3 17th, out of position and needing something good to happen, Lewis made a ticklish downhill 25-footer for par. She went on to shoot 69 and win by three, the first of her 13 LPGA Tour wins.
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