FAR HILLS, New Jersey – Pat Bradley, the 1981 U.S. Women’s Open champion, was the first exempt player to apply to play in the Inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship, which will be held at Chicago Golf Club, in Wheaton, Ill., July 12-15, 2018. Her entry was officially received at 9:06 a.m. EST today.
Bradley, a Westford native, was part of the first class of inductees into the Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame. She is one of the most accomplished female golfers of all time, as her career boasts 31 LPGA wins including six majors – and she is only the third player ever to achieve the LPGA career grand slam. She is a two-time LPGA Player of the Year, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1991. Additionally, she won two NEWGA Championships and was a member of three winning Solheim Cup teams. Her 1981 U.S. Women’s Open victory occurred at La Grange Country Club, which sits less than 20 miles from Chicago Golf Club.
Earlier this month, Bradley – along with Natick native and two-time U.S. Women’s Open Champion Meg Mallon – were among the more than 100 professional and amateur golfers who have earned exemption into the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship.
“I’ve had the Senior Women’s Open on my calendar for 17 years, so to say I was excited to wake up and apply this morning is an understatement!” said Bradley, who will turn 67 on March 24. “My U.S. Women’s Open win was at La Grange, just 20 minutes from Chicago Golf Club, so it’ll bring back some great memories to go back to the Chicago area.”
Bradley played golf at the Florida International University before joining the LPGA Tour in 1974. She is exempt into the U.S. Senior Women’s Open due to her U.S. Women’s Open victory. A full list of exempt players and categories can be viewed here.
Player registration began this morning and continues through Wednesday, May 23, at 5 p.m. EDT (champs.usga.org). Susan West of Tuscaloosa, Ala., whose application was received at 9:04 a.m. and who will play in the Sectional Qualifier at Bent Creek Golf Club in Eden Prairie, Minn., was the first overall entrant.
To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 7.4, or be a professional.
