5 things to know about the legendary JoAnne Carner, 83

KETTING, Ohio – Four years ago, JoAnne Carner rallied in her opening round of the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open, carding four birdies on the back side at Chicago Golf Club to shoot her age, 79.

Last year, an 82-year-old Carner shot her age in the first round at Brooklawn Country Club and followed it with a 79 in Round 2.

Can she do it once more at the Senior Women’s Open? The now 83-year-old Carner is one of 120 players in the field at NCR Country Club, a stern test by all accounts.

Only five players have shot their age or better in USGA championships more than once: Jerry Barber (9), Tom Watson (3), Hale Irwin (3), Harold ‘Jug’ McSpaden and Carner (3).

2019 Senior Women’s Open champion Helen Alfredsson played two practice rounds with Carner at NCR and marveled that Carner’s 91-year-old older sister, Helen Sherry, walked all 36 holes.

“Whatever they are taking,” said Alfredsson, “I want to get some.”

The goal here is to make the cut

Joanne Carner plays out of a fairway bunker at the 17th hole during the second round at the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. on Friday, July 30, 2021. Photo by Darren Carroll/USGA

Carner said she comes back every year to this championship because she keeps thinking she’s going to make the cut. That has been the objective since she teed up in the inaugural event in 2018.

“It matters to her what she shoots,” said 2018 winner Laura Davies. “To the rest of us, it doesn’t matter what she shoots. But I know her fighting spirit.

“She’s going to want to put a best run on it as she possibly can and she’ll be thinking if she makes the cut, that would be as big of an achievement as whoever hoists the trophy in my opinion, at 83. Everyone rooting for her, and she’s just a lovely lady.”

Carner is the oldest to ever play in a USGA championship

JoAnne Carner chatting with Brandie Burton on the 12th fairway during a practice round at the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open at NCR Country Club (South Course) in Kettering, Ohio on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. (Jeff Haynes/USGA)

Carner broke the record for oldest to play a USGA championship last year at this championship, and, at 83, she just keeps moving the bar. Harold “Jug” McSpadden held the previous record. He was 81 when he played in the 1990 U.S. Senior Open.

Everyone has a good Big Mama…