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Lunke comes home, quite literally
Edina native and former Open champ competes in front of hometown crowd
By Dan Myers
Sports Editor
EDINA — Many came for the glitz of Lorena Ochoa or Annika Sorenstam. Some came for the glamour of Natalie Gulbis.
But for others, a homecoming was on their mind. Edina’s very own Hilary Lunke, born just a lob wedge and a putt from Interlachen Country Club, returned to her home course this weekend. And while Lunke didn’t win the event, many came with memories of her epic 2003 Open triumph, to this day one of the biggest upsets in the history of golf.
Coming home was emotional for Lunke, who now makes her home in Texas.
“I’m not someone who usually gets nervous on the first tee,” Lunke said. “I thought I was prepared for it, but I had tears well up in my eyes.”
Lunke has always been the definition of long shot on the LPGA Tour. Her win over Kelly Robbins and Angela Stanford in 2003 following an 18-hole Monday playoff was the high point of her career. Other than her 2003 victory, Lunke has never finished higher than 37th in a major championship. Lunke made the cut at the event in 2004, finishing 64th, but has missed the cut each of the last four years.
For a while this weekend, Lunke looked like she’d be around to play on the weekend. She finished with a 1-over 74 on Thursday, and had the putter going, making a trio of 30-foot putts.
“I didn’t hit the ball very well, especially on my first side,” Lunke said. “I started hitting better on the back side, but still a few loose shots. I was pleased with the 1-over.”
Lunke struggled with a 5-over 78 Friday and missed the cut, ending her hopes for a hometown upset.
The show was great no matter who they came out for. Ochoa — who some consider being the women’s version of Tiger Woods, without the knee injury, is a native of Mexico and has won six times on the LPGA Tour this season.
Sorenstam, who is retiring from professional golf at the end of the season, started shaky on Thursday, rebounded Friday and played this weekend. She’s a former champion of the event as well, having won the Open three times. Her last shot Sunday, holing out from 200 yards, will go down as one of the most memorable shots in Open history.
But sometimes, there’s something more entertaining about watching a David work her magic amongst a bunch of Goliaths, especially when that David is from just down the street.
“It was overwhelming,” Lunke said. “When they go through the whole history of everyone trying to qualify for the event and the number of players, and it just kind of hits home that, I’m a former champion of the event and playing in my hometown. It was really special.”
But for others, a homecoming was on their mind. Edina’s very own Hilary Lunke, born just a lob wedge and a putt from Interlachen Country Club, returned to her home course this weekend. And while Lunke didn’t win the event, many came with memories of her epic 2003 Open triumph, to this day one of the biggest upsets in the history of golf.
Coming home was emotional for Lunke, who now makes her home in Texas.
“I’m not someone who usually gets nervous on the first tee,” Lunke said. “I thought I was prepared for it, but I had tears well up in my eyes.”
Lunke has always been the definition of long shot on the LPGA Tour. Her win over Kelly Robbins and Angela Stanford in 2003 following an 18-hole Monday playoff was the high point of her career. Other than her 2003 victory, Lunke has never finished higher than 37th in a major championship. Lunke made the cut at the event in 2004, finishing 64th, but has missed the cut each of the last four years.
For a while this weekend, Lunke looked like she’d be around to play on the weekend. She finished with a 1-over 74 on Thursday, and had the putter going, making a trio of 30-foot putts.
“I didn’t hit the ball very well, especially on my first side,” Lunke said. “I started hitting better on the back side, but still a few loose shots. I was pleased with the 1-over.”
Lunke struggled with a 5-over 78 Friday and missed the cut, ending her hopes for a hometown upset.
The show was great no matter who they came out for. Ochoa — who some consider being the women’s version of Tiger Woods, without the knee injury, is a native of Mexico and has won six times on the LPGA Tour this season.
Sorenstam, who is retiring from professional golf at the end of the season, started shaky on Thursday, rebounded Friday and played this weekend. She’s a former champion of the event as well, having won the Open three times. Her last shot Sunday, holing out from 200 yards, will go down as one of the most memorable shots in Open history.
But sometimes, there’s something more entertaining about watching a David work her magic amongst a bunch of Goliaths, especially when that David is from just down the street.
“It was overwhelming,” Lunke said. “When they go through the whole history of everyone trying to qualify for the event and the number of players, and it just kind of hits home that, I’m a former champion of the event and playing in my hometown. It was really special.”
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