Big Mama does it again
JoAnne Carner shot 80 in the first round of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open 2023 at Waverley Country Club, Portland, Oregon. Carner’s age-related score is at least 80 for the sixth time during the five-year history of the championship.
She was already the oldest player to ever compete in a USGA Championship. She continued to impress on Thursday.
Carner explained, “I have been practicing a great deal and I’ve really been spinning my wheels. I finally got the move and I had it at the range this morning. I then fought the first hole.”
“Once or twice I would hit one but the rest of the day was work.”
Take a bow Big Mama. pic.twitter.com/R33cJCQayT
USGA (@USGA August 24, 2020
Carner almost made an ace on her final hole, but she birdied it and finished with an 8-over score.
Carner replied, “No, I don’t think my eyes are that good. But, I appreciate the applause.” “I knew that I would finally make a birdie.”
Carner is the only woman to have won more USGA titles than Carner. Carner acknowledges that playing at an older age is challenging.
Carner admitted that he missed many greens. “It’s a long course for me, because I’m using a 9-degree club and driving into the hills. I can’t change it so I don’t get carry. I use long clubs, 3-woods, all day. I can’t reach there.”
She is happy with the score she got on Thursday, but not quite what she wanted.
When asked if she set a goal score, She replied, “Yeah, but that’s outrageous.” “Sixth nine sounds great to me.”
Catriona Matt leads the field in Pacific Northwest after a 3-under-par 69.
