Former LPGA player Leta Lindley left her competitive career at age 40 to focus on raising her two children, Cole and Reese. Twelve years later, at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, her son Cole broke down in tears watching his mother achieve her best round yet. Lindley, 52, began the final day five shots back but quickly birdied four of the first six holes to kickstart a memorable comeback. With her husband Matt Plagmann as her caddy, Lindley’s impeccable performance on the course led her to a two-stroke victory over overnight leader Kaori Yamamoto.
Lindley expressed that winning the U.S. Senior Women’s Open had been a dream for three years before she turned 50. Throughout the championship, she showcased incredible skills, closing with a final-round championship record of 7-under 64 at Fox Chapel. Lindley credited her success to a phenomenal day of putting and staying focused despite the challenging weather conditions the course faced during the tournament. Despite starting the day in second place, Lindley managed to erase the five-shot deficit and take control of the tournament by the time she made the turn.
Yamamoto, who set a 36-hole scoring record, finished in second place after an impressive performance. Lindley, who was once labeled as an underdog player, admitted that nobody expected her to achieve such a remarkable outcome. She described herself as someone who dared to dream bigger this season, in comparison to her time playing on the LPGA tour. Lindley’s former roommate, Annika Sorenstam, who won the championship in 2021, had to settle for fourth place after Lindley’s dominant play.
Lindley and Plagmann, who first met in Tuscon, Arizona, have been together for 28 years and celebrated Lindley’s major championship victory with their son Cole, who was emotional watching his mother succeed. Despite the challenges of balancing a career and a family, the couple has continued to support each other throughout Lindley’s career. Lindley, who accumulated over $3 million in career earnings on the LPGA tour, always relied on accuracy and a strong short game to excel in golf.
In preparation for the upcoming 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, Lindley plans to start speed training. She is also looking forward to returning to San Diego for the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Open at San Diego Country Club, where she grew up. Throughout her career, Lindley has left encouraging messages for herself, reminding her to believe in her abilities and dream big. She has credited her husband as her secret weapon, providing the support and motivation she needed to achieve success on and off the golf course. Despite the challenges and hard work, Lindley expressed that winning the U.S. Senior Women’s Open made it all worthwhile, validating every effort she had put into her journey.
