American Angela Stanford is set to get her 98th consecutive major championship underway at the Chevron Championship, but the 46-year-old, who is playing this week on a sponsor’s exemption, has her work cut out if she’s going to reach the century mark.
Stanford’s streak started way back in 2002 at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship and she was ever present through last year’s AIG Women’s British Open. The highlight of those 97 starts came back in 2018 when, in her 73rd consecutive major, she finally joined the elite band of major champions by winning the Evian Championship.
During the 97-major run, Stanford made 66 cuts and finished inside the top-10 on 13 other occasions, alongside her one victory.
“You know, it kind of seems like a dream sometimes,” she said. “I feel very blessed. I haven’t had — I’ve had one major injury and it came at the end of 2018.
“This is where I’m going to plug my trainer. He’s been with me since 2004. Actually, his father worked for Chevron forever. My trainer, Dan, was a recipient of one of the scholarships that Chevron gives to their employees’ children.
“My trainer told me that I was like, no way. He’s like, yeah. It’s kind of cool, because without him I don’t think my body would’ve held up. So I’ve been very blessed.
“Again, one big injury at the end of 2018, but other than that, yeah, feels like a dream sometimes.”
But the seven-time LPGA winner is facing a 36-hole qualifier next week to gain entry to the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on the June bank holiday weekend. Failing that, she’ll be relying on another special exemption if she’s to reach that magical ‘100’ number.
“You know, even if it wasn’t me, I would still want one of our players to cross the line,” said Stanford. “Like I wouldn’t care who it was. I would want an LPGA player to get to 100, because I think it is going to be a historical once-in-a-lifetime kind of deal.”
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