Leta Lindley, at the age of 40, made the decision to leave the LPGA in order to spend more time with her two young children, Cole (8 years old) and Reese (6 years old). This happened twelve years ago. However, during the sixth U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Fox Chapel Golf Club, Lindley’s now grown-up son Cole couldn’t hold back his tears of joy as he watched his mom put together the best round of her life.
At 52 years old, Lindley started the day five shots behind the leader but managed to birdie four of the first six holes, setting off a relentless charge that continued until the end. With her husband Matt Plagmann as her caddie, just like in the old days, Lindley hit all 18 greens in regulation and credited her exceptional putting for her two-stroke victory over overnight leader Kaori Yamamoto, who shot an even-par 71.
“I’ve been longing for this day for so long,” Lindley said. “Even three years before turning 50, I had already imagined myself holding this trophy and winning this championship. I dared to dream big.”
Lindley finished the championship at 9 under par, with a final-round championship record of 7-under 64 at Fox Chapel. Despite the challenging weather conditions throughout the tournament, including 5 inches of rain on the course, the sun finally broke through on Sunday. Lindley, who once referred to herself as the “Little Engine That Could,” remained focused and used yoga breaths to combat her feelings of nausea.
At the beginning of the day, Lindley shared second place with LPGA Hall of Famers Annika Sorenstam and Juli Inkster, as well as Japan’s Mikino Kubo. However, by the time she made the turn, Lindley had erased the five-shot deficit and took control of the tournament.
“I don’t think anyone would have expected this kind of outcome for me,” Lindley said of her record-breaking performance. “I’ve always been an underdog player, quietly making my way through the ranks. But this season, I dared to dream bigger than ever before, even beyond my time on the LPGA tour.”
Yamamoto, who set the 36-hole scoring record for the championship at 8 under par, caddied for a friend in last year’s event and had to go through a qualifier to earn a spot in the field at Fox Chapel. She finished alone in second place after birdieing her last two holes.
Lindley briefly roomed with Sorenstam during their time at the University of Arizona and was paired with her former teammate in the final round. Sorenstam, who won the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in her debut in 2021, closed with a 71 to finish in fourth place, seven shots behind Lindley.
“I’m disappointed in myself,” Sorenstam said. “But at the same time, Leta played incredibly well today. It just wasn’t enough.”
Lindley and Plagmann first met in a parking lot in Tuscon, Arizona. Lindley, fired up and frustrated after losing in a playoff at a University of Arizona team qualifier, was throwing her clubs and shoes into the trunk of her car. Plagmann, instantly smitten, stopped to offer words of encouragement.
Plagmann was competing for Scottsdale Community College in a tournament at the time, while Lindley had just finished her round. Lindley wasn’t in the mood for flirting, but Plagmann went home that night and told his father that he had met the woman he was going to marry.
Now, after 18 years on the LPGA tour and 28 years of marriage, Lindley and Plagmann will celebrate their major championship victory in Pittsburgh with their son Cole.
Lindley, who earned over $3 million throughout her career on tour, won the 2008 Corning Classic after 295 LPGA starts. At the time of her victory, the family of four traveled around the country in a GMC Conversion van, defying the odds.
Standing at 5-foot-4, Lindley always had a big smile on her face and carried six woods in her bag for most of her LPGA career. She relied on accuracy and a skilled short game to keep her card.
For the past three years, Lindley, who is now a golf instructor in south Florida, has placed encouraging Post-It notes on her mirror and in her calendar, reminding herself that she is the U.S. Senior Women’s Open champion and asking herself, “Why not you?”
One person who has always believed in her is, of course, Plagmann.
“The running joke in our house was that daddy just carried the bag, which is so far from the truth,” Lindley said. “He is my other half. He knows exactly what to say to bring out the best in me on and off the golf course. He truly is my secret weapon and my 15th club in the bag. So I share this victory with him and all the hard work we put in together.”
Looking ahead, Lindley plans to start speed training immediately to prepare for the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, a perk of winning the Senior Women’s Open. She is also excited to return to San Diego, her hometown, for the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Open at San Diego Country Club.
“There are moments when I’m working so hard, and I find myself in a bunker feeling like it’s 120 degrees or feeling nauseous before a tournament, and I question what I’m doing,” Lindley admitted. “But it’s all worth it. All those days of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears have led to this championship victory. Every minute and every hour I’ve dedicated to this has been worth it.”
Photo from Leta Lindley Instagram
