KETTING, Ohio – Four years ago, JoAnne Carner rallied in her opening round of the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open, carding four birdies on the back side at Chicago Golf Club to shoot her age, 79.
Last year, an 82-year-old Carner shot her age in the first round at Brooklawn Country Club and followed it with a 79 in Round 2.
Can she do it once more at the Senior Women’s Open? The now 83-year-old Carner is one of 120 players in the field at NCR Country Club, a stern test by all accounts.
Only five players have shot their age or better in USGA championships more than once: Jerry Barber (9), Tom Watson (3), Hale Irwin (3), Harold ‘Jug’ McSpaden and Carner (3).
2019 Senior Women’s Open champion Helen Alfredsson played two practice rounds with Carner at NCR and marveled that Carner’s 91-year-old older sister, Helen Sherry, walked all 36 holes.
“Whatever they are taking,” said Alfredsson, “I want to get some.”