Leta Lindley comes back from a 5-shot deficit to set a new championship record and win the Women’s Senior US Open

Leta Lindley made history on Sunday by winning the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Fox Chapel Golf Club. This victory, marked by a record-breaking final round, wasn’t just another tournament win—it was the culmination of a dream that had been years in the making. For Lindley, the third time truly was the charm, as she clinched the title in her third appearance at the event.

Lindley’s journey to this triumph has been anything but smooth. After a successful career on the LPGA Tour, Leta Lindley stepped away from professional golf at the age of 40 to focus on raising her two children, Cole and Reese. Despite the hiatus, the competitive fire within her never extinguished.

Over the past few years, Lindley returned to the sport, targeting the U.S. Senior Women’s Open—a championship she had come agonizingly close to winning twice before. In 2022, she finished runner-up by a single stroke, and the following year, she experienced the same heartache, again falling short by one stroke.

Yet, Lindley never wavered in her belief that she could conquer this challenge. For the last three years, she kept Post-it notes on her mirror, each one reminding her of the goal she was chasing: becoming the U.S. Senior Women’s Open champion.

“I’ve been dreaming about this day for so long,” she shared after her victory. “Three years now before I turned 50, and I’ve imagined myself hoisting this trophy and winning this championship, and I dared to dream big.”

Leta Lindley: A Story of Perseverance

Leta Lindley’s career in golf has been marked by consistent hard work and determination. Standing at just 5-foot-4, she was often viewed as an underdog in a sport dominated by taller, stronger athletes. But what Lindley lacked in stature, she more than made up for with skill, accuracy, and a steely resolve.

Throughout her 18 years on the LPGA Tour, she became known for her precise short game and her ability to keep her composure under pressure.

Her first LPGA victory came after 295 starts at the 2008 Corning Classic, a testament to her perseverance and unyielding spirit. Even after stepping away from full-time competition, Leta Lindley continued to be a presence in the golfing world, not just as a player but also as an instructor in South Florida.

Her return to competitive golf in the senior circuit was fueled by a deep-seated belief that her best days were still ahead of her.

Entering the final day of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Leta Lindley found herself five shots behind the leader, Kaori Yamamoto. It was a daunting deficit, but one that Lindley approached with unwavering confidence.

“I just am in shock,” Lindley said, reflecting on her mindset going into the final round. “For the last three years, I’ve had Post-it notes on my mirror saying ‘U.S. Senior Women’s Open champion, you can do this, why not you?'”

The final round saw Leta Lindley deliver a performance for the ages. Birdieing four of the first six holes, she quickly erased the gap between herself and Yamamoto. With her husband Matt Plagmann on the bag, providing the same support he did during her LPGA days, Lindley was unstoppable.

She reached all 18 greens in regulation and showcased what she called “a phenomenal day of putting,” ultimately carding a championship-record 7-under 64.

The win was sealed on the back nine, where Leta Lindley’s focus and precision allowed her to maintain and extend her lead. By the time she reached the 18th hole, the championship was hers, secured by a two-stroke victory over Yamamoto.

“I’ve always been an underdog player, sneaky, under the radar,” Lindley remarked. “I have dared to dream so much bigger this season than I did when I was playing on the LPGA Tour.”

Leta Lindley’s victory in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open is not just a personal triumph, but an inspiration to athletes everywhere who continue to chase their dreams despite the odds. Her journey from a nearly forgotten contender to a national champion is a reminder that perseverance, belief, and hard work can lead to extraordinary achievements.

With this win, Leta Lindley has earned an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, and she is already looking forward to defending her title at the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Open in San Diego, her hometown.

“There are times when I’m working so hard, and I’m in a bunker, and it feels like 120 degrees, or I’m nauseous coming into the tournament thinking, what am I doing,” Lindley said. “But this is all worth it, all those days of blood, sweat, and tears, to win this championship. It was worth every minute, every hour that I’ve put into this.”

Leta Lindley’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the belief that it’s never too late to achieve greatness. In a sport that often celebrates youth, Lindley’s victory at 52 is a reminder that experience, determination, and a bit of daring can still make champions.