Helen Alfredsson of Sweden added a missing piece to her already brilliant career resume.
The 54-year-old Alfredsson, who played at U.S. International University (now known as Alliant International University) in San Diego, held off Juli Inkster of Los Altos Hills and Trish Johnson of England by two strokes to win the second U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club www.pineneedleslodge.com/courses in Southern Pines, S.C.
“Just to have something (United States Golf Association), it feels very nice,” said Alfredsson, who twice finished second in the U.S. Women’s Open. “Since one of my first years when I finished second, it was very special.
“I know one of the toughest tests you ever will do in golf is play a U.S. Open. And I always like tough, I think. Maybe not at 54, but yeah, it’s nice to have that USGA (championship).”
Alfredsson finished with a score of 75-69-69-72—285, 1-over-par, followed by Inkster at 78-68-71-70—287 and Johnson at 75-72-66-74—287.
Johnson and Alfredsson were tied for the lead entering the final round, but the Swede fell behind with a double-bogey 5 on the fifth hole before reeling off 13 consecutive pars to pull out the victory.
“Well, I’m completely elated,” said Alfredsson, who has 24 professional victories, including the 1993 Nabisco Dinah Shore (now the ANA Inspiration). “Exhausted. That probably goes before elated.
“You just have a hard time believing it, because when you’re out there, you keep grinding and grinding and you’re trying to just stay focused on what you’re doing, not let your thoughts slip, and that’s something that is also very difficult when you don’t play as much.
“You realize it is the truth that golf is 90 percent mental, because that’s what keeps you together when you’re struggling.”
Michelle Redman shot 77-72-72-68—289 to tie for fourth with Jane Crafter of Australia, who finished at 76-71-72-70—289, while Nanci Bowen was sixth at 73-75-70-72—290.
Barbara Moxness totaled of 73-74-74-70—291 to tie for seventh with Danielle Ammaccapane, who wound up at 72-75-72-72—291, while defending champion Laura Davies of England finished at 75-70-74-73—292 to tie for ninth with Lisa DePaulo, who came in at 74-72-74-72—292.
For complete results, visit http://www.usga.org/championships/2019/u-s–senior-women-s-open-2019-pine-needles-golf.html#!scoring
 in San Diego, held off Juli Inkster of Los Altos Hills and Trish Johnson of England by two strokes to win the second U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club www.pineneedleslodge.com/courses in Southern Pines, S.C.){kind=link}