U.S. Senior Women’s Open: Ohio native takes first-round lead

Green played for the boys team at Sheridan High School and earned a golf scholarship to Marshall University. She won the LPGA Rookie of the Year Award in 1987, beginning a 16-year pro career that would include seven tour wins plus a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open in 1994.

Green, who still calls Somerset home during the warmer months, is 62 now. She’s one of 120 golfers competing at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open this week at NCR Country Club. She had the earliest tee time (7:45 a.m.) Thursday and the best score of the first round. Her 5-under 68 gave her a one-shot lead over Catrin Nilsmark, of Sweden, and Leta Lindley, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Green started her round on No. 10 and had four straight birdies (Nos. 13-16) in her first nine holes.

“I was proud of the way I held it together,” Green said. “I did get a little tired on the back side. It’s just a stamina thing, I guess, as you get older. Some of the hills were getting me a little bit out of breath. I had to kind of stop, take it easy and go forward. But Kurt, my caddie, did a fantastic job. We stayed in the game, on the same page, and we got it done today.”

Green tied for 10th in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open last year at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. She tied for 12th in 2019 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. She tied for eighth in 2018 at Chicago Golf Club.

Green played at NCR Country in 1986 at the U.S. Women’s Open and shot a par-72 in the first round, leaving her two shots behind leader Beth Daniel. The Dayton Daily News story described her as a “26-year-old unknown.” Amy Alcott, who was then a 25-time LPGA Tour winner and is playing in this tournament at 66, played a practice round with Green that week.

“She’s a little cocky, but it’s a pleasant kind of cockiness,” Alcott said then. “She’s confident. She has all the shots.”

That was true Thursday as well. Green prepared by coming to NCR Country Club for a practice round earlier in the month.

“I knew it was going to be grueling from green to tee, just stamina-wise,” she said. “It’s all about the greens, putting the ball in the right spot, and not only that, you have to hit the fairways.”

Green took 13 years off from competitive golf after she left the LPGA Tour but said she felt like “the old Tammie” on Thursday.

“Typically, in a U.S. Open, I haven’t gotten off to the greatest starts,” she said. “My fourth day is better than most of the first three days. Hopefully, I’m going to continue that, not look back and get the job done this week. That’s been my goal. I finished second in ‘94 to Patty Sheehan, and that was a little bit bittersweet. Even at age 62, I’m still after that U.S. Open trophy.”

The three previous U.S. Senior Women’s Open champions are all within five shots of the lead. Helen Alfredsson, the 2019 champion, shot a 3-under 70.

“It’s a U.S. Open golf course,” Alfredsson said. “I mean, it’s just something. It was kinder today, I think, if I dare to say that.”

Laura Davies, the first champion in 2018, shot 2-under 71. Annika Sörenstam, the defending champion, shot 73.

“The course is playing great,” Sörenstam said. “I really like the setup. I thought it was good. It’s a true test of golf. I’m just very disappointed in my round. I just didn’t drive it well enough and didn’t make anything. I’m just going to try and have some lunch, practice, and just kind of move on. I’ve come in here prepared. It just didn’t turn out today. Really couldn’t get any momentum going.”