FALMOUTH – Sherri Turner birdied three out of four holes midway through the final round Sunday to take charge and win the Hannaford Community Challenge of the Legends Tour by four shots at Falmouth Country Club.
Turner, winner of the 1998 LPGA Championship, had six birdies and one bogey for a 67 after opening with a 71 on Saturday. Her 36-hole total of 6-under 138 was worth $30,000. It was Turner’s second win on the Legends Tour.
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“My first one was in 2008,” said Turner, who also had three victories during her 25 years on the LPGA Tour. “It’s been a long dry spell. I was hitting my irons close and had a lot more opportunities today.”
Turner capitalized on those opportunities with a hot putter. She birdied the seventh hole, then dropped in birdie putts of 15 feet on No. 9, 5 feet on No. 10 and 10 feet on No. 14.
“Sherri played awesome,” said playing partner Val Skinner, who tied for second with Rosie Jones at 2-under 142.
“She really didn’t make a mistake other than a couple of minor things. She could have made a few more putts. She kept her foot on the pedal. Sherri has always been a good ball striker, but struggled a bit with her putting on the regular tour.”
Using a long putter, Turner was rolling the ball right on line. Her misses didn’t miss by much.
Skinner and Jones won $12,625 each. Jones started the final round tied for the lead with Cindy Figg-Currier and Lori West after opening-round 70s. Turner and Skinner were a stroke back.
Jones shot a final-round 72. Figg-Currier had a 75, and West fell back with an 82. Figg-Currier finished fourth, earning $9,000.
The players enjoyed coming to Maine and hope to be back next year.
“We love Maine,” said Turner. “This is one of the most beautiful courses we play. The weather was a little warm this week. I was so looking forward to nice, cool temperatures. It was 112 degrees when I left Phoenix. I got here Wednesday and it was probably the hottest day of the year. I grew up in South Carolina so I just pretended I was in South Carolina this week.”
Once Turner made her charge, no one else followed. Her only stumble was a three-putt on the par-4 15th. Her five-shot lead became four, but she parred the final three holes.
She finished in style. On 18, her drive stopped in the middle of the fairway, just missing a divot.
She had 157 yards to the flag against a gentle breeze, and used a five-rescue club to get within 10 feet. He birdie putt just slid by the cup. After Skinner sank her par putt, Turner tapped in to complete her winning round.
Turner said she didn’t look at a leaderboard until the 18th green.
“There’s nothing I can do about what the other players are doing. So why look?” she said.
The Legends Tour has enabled former LPGA players to continue their careers, but with less pressure. Sure, they want to win, but it’s not do or die if they don’t.
“It’s awesome,” said Turner. “We have so much fun. It’s not as bad if you don’t play well.”
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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