Hollis Stacy, 72, ties for 24th at U.S. Senior Women's Open

Hollis Stacy, 72 and the oldest player in the field, tied for 24th at the U.S. Senior Women's Open on Sunday at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She shot 76-75-78-74 and closed by holing a 25-foot putt for par at the last.

The most striking number was not the score. Stacy missed five fairways all week, a driving week most of the field half her age did not match. She has had two knee replacements and a right shoulder replacement, the shoulder dating to 2000, and credits modern equipment for keeping the ball in play: firm balls, the spin she can still generate off the insert, and no reluctance about any of it.

Why Hollis Stacy is in the field every year

Stacy is exempt into the championship for life on the strength of what she did as a player. She won 18 times on the LPGA Tour, took four majors, and won the U.S. Women's Open three times, in 1977, 1978 and 1984. Before that she won three straight U.S. Girls' Junior titles from 1969 to 1971. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

She has played all eight editions of the U.S. Senior Women's Open, one of 17 players to do so, and has made the cut in six of them. She often plays the week alongside her sister, Martha Leach, who has to qualify. “I just love seeing old friends,” Stacy said.

Maria McBride won the championship at 6 under par, two clear of Annika Sorenstam.