FRENCH LICK, In. (WDRB) -- Trish Johnson almost let a lead get away for the second straight year at the LPGA Legends Championship at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Sunday. But unlike a year ago, a late charge from Juli Inkster resulted not in an Inkster win, but in a playoff with Johnson, who then prevailed six-holes later in a playoff that had more ups and downs than the 18th hole on the Dye course on which it was played.
"She cracked first I guess," said Johnson. "I was so tired by the end of it. I'm chapped to bits"
The Englishwoman led most of the day after beginning the day in a three-way tie with Inkster and Becky Iverson. She made a couple of early birdies, then had her confidence shaken after three-putting the sixth hole.
"I just totally lost my confidence in my putting," said Johnson. "Fortunately I played well enough where it didn't matter."
Johnson made a difficult up and down on 18 to force a playoff after Inkster birdied 16 and 18 a group in front of her to get to five-under. The 480-yard par 5 18th was the lone hole designated for the playoff.
After both players traded birdie chances, Johnson parred the 18th hole for a seventh consecutive time on the day to earn the win on playoff hole number six.
"I was very lucky to have played the LPGA tour when I did with utter superstars, hall of famers coming out their ears and to come back out here and play with them is utterly amazing," said Johnson. I absolutely love it and it's a real honor to be able to play on this tour."
Both Johnson and Inkster shot second-round 71's and finished at five-under 139. England's Laura Davies finished three shots back in third. Jan Stephenson won the seven-player Honors Division for players 63 and over for the second straight year with a three-over 147.
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