In 1999, Juli Inkster made history at the Portland Classic, earning a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame with the victory.
Twenty-six years later, the 65-year-old was chasing another indelible feat on those same greens. This time, however, she fell short of sparking another celebration.
Opening with a 3-under 69 in her first LPGA start since 2022, Inkster missed making the cut by one stroke, shooting 74 in Round 2.
“Yeah, wasn’t very inspiring,” Inkster, who shot 1 under in 36 holes, said after Friday’s round. “I didn’t drive the ball as well as I did yesterday. Kind of a grind out there today. I hung in there and grinded and shot a couple over.”
Had the seven-time major champion shot one stroke better, she would have become the oldest player ever to secure a weekend tee time in an LPGA event. JoAnne Carner currently holds that feat, making the cut at the 2004 Chick-fil-A Charity Championship at age 64.
“I frigging love JoAnne Carner,” Inkster said. “Yeah, just kind of means that I have a passion for the game. I love the game. You know, I’m really happy I played this week. Kind of when I signed up was kind of like, What are you doing?’ I was free, I was out there with Hannah Green and Stacy [Lewis] and had a great time. Just love watching the young kids swing. I mean, it’s so impressive.
“I think the game is in a really good shape and happy to be here.”
Sitting at 1-under with one hole to play 👀
— LPGA (@LPGA) August 15, 2025
Looking to become the oldest player to make a cut in LPGA Tour history, Juli Inkster is grinding in Portland.@Kstupples following along 👇 pic.twitter.com/2ORv8PLJyE
Did Inkster, who is one of seven female players to have completed the career Grand Slam, know what was at stake in Portland?
“Yeah, a little bit,” she said. “Yeah. I mean, I knew if I could get to 1- or 2-under, I would make it; [1 under] might be a little iffy. I did the best I could out there. Wasn’t really pleased with the way I drove the ball on the back side or my front side.”
Inkster decided to tee it up as a tune-up for next week’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open in San Diego. And despite her week ending early, the 31-time LPGA winner has regrets with how things played out in Portland.
“I think it was really good for me to play,” she said, “whether I win or lose next week, whatever. I’m glad I put myself out there.”
More on Sports Illustrated
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, 65, Nearly Breaks LPGA Record at Portland Classic .
