,La Grange Country Club, August 22, 2025
News Summary
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Pat Bradley overcame a six-stroke deficit to win the LPGA Open Championship at La Grange Country Club. The event is still fondly remembered by the club and fans alike, as it showcased Bradley’s incredible comeback against rival Beth Daniel. This win not only marked a significant moment in women’s golf history but also solidified Bradley’s status as a Hall of Fame golfer.
La Grange, Illinois — A U.S. Open comeback that still turns heads
Back in 1981, something electric happened on the tree-lined fairways of La Grange Country Club, and decades later the club is still talking about it. At a recent August luncheon, the woman at the center of that drama returned to reminisce, remind, and revel in what many consider one of the great single-round comebacks in women’s golf history.
From six shots back to clubhouse hero
The final round at the 1981 LPGA Open Championship started with Pat Bradley trailing by six strokes behind the tournament leader, Kathy Whitworth. The pressure built, the weather had been wild earlier in the week — a thunderstorm softened the course — and the leaderboard looked stacked. Whitworth, a player Bradley admired and once rooted for in that event, faded in the final round, posting the first over-par score she had in the championship.
What followed was a back-nine duel with Beth Daniel that kept everyone on the edges of their seats. Bradley and Daniel both reached six under par by the time the scoring was tallied, but Bradley pulled away at the most critical moments. A long putt of roughly 50 to 60 feet on the 15th hole swung momentum in Bradley’s direction. Daniel steadied with par on 16 but then birdied 17. Bradley then answered with a gutsy approach from about 70 yards on the 18th, setting up a very short, two-foot birdie putt to seal the win.
Records, milestones, and the kind of win clubs remember
Bradley’s final score of six under par was the lowest total in a U.S. Open on the LPGA Tour at that time, a benchmark that stood until 2004. Her four-day total of 279 also set an Open record that lasted until 1988. The victory at La Grange was Bradley’s only U.S. Open title, a standout achievement on an already stellar career resume that ultimately included 31 LPGA wins and six major championships. Her accomplishments later earned her spots in both the World Golf Hall of Fame and the LPGA Hall of Fame.
For La Grange Country Club, the win is a proud chapter. The club’s layout — often described as tree-lined, New England-style with challenging rough — seemed to suit Bradley perfectly. She had played the property once before as a professional during the 1974 U.S. Open, which was her first year on tour, and after 1981 she made it clear the course held a special place for her. Club leadership later called her return visit in August a major event for members and the wider La Grange community.
Small things that made a big difference
The win was full of little details that added up. Bradley opened the final round with a birdie on the first hole, a sign of early momentum on a day when the golf course had been softened by stormy weather earlier in the week. She kept her game steady when it mattered most, focusing on comfort and strategy down the stretch rather than matching the sheer power of her rival. Those choices mattered more than bravado on the 18th, where a precise wedge left her an easy putt to close out the championship.
Kathy Whitworth still finished inside the top spots that week and is notable for reaching the milestone of being the LPGA Tour’s first million-dollar earner in overall prize money — a sign of how the game had been growing even then.
Why golf fans still care
Stories like the 1981 La Grange victory lean into everything golf lovers live for: shifting momentum, smart shot-making under pressure, and a classic underdog comeback. For Pat Bradley it was a defining moment on a long and luminous career. For La Grange Country Club, it became part of the club’s identity — the place where the course itself seemed to favor a certain kind of player who could handle tight lines, thick rough, and moments of high drama.
Quick takeaways for the golf-heads
- Comeback factor: Started six strokes behind and won, showing patience and nerve.
- Key swing: Massive putt on 15 that flipped momentum.
- Course character: Tree-lined, strategic, and rewarded precision over power.
- Career impact: Only U.S. Open title for Bradley, part of a 31-win career with six majors.
FAQ
What happened at the 1981 LPGA Open Championship?
Pat Bradley came from six strokes behind in the final round to win after a late duel with Beth Daniel. Her final total of six under par set a U.S. Open LPGA record at the time.
Where was the tournament played?
The championship was played at La Grange Country Club, a tree-lined property often called New England-style with notable rough that challenges approach shots.
What were the key moments in the final round?
A long putt on the 15th hole shifted momentum to Bradley, Daniel birdied 17, and Bradley’s precise approach on 18 set up a short birdie to clinch the title.
How did this win affect Pat Bradley’s career?
The U.S. Open win was Bradley’s only Open title and one of six major championships in her career. She amassed 31 LPGA victories and later joined both the World Golf Hall of Fame and the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Did weather play a role?
Yes. Thunderstorms earlier in the week softened the course, which influenced strategy and conditions during the final round.
At-a-glance table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 1981 LPGA Open Championship (U.S. Open) |
| Course | La Grange Country Club — tree-lined, New England-style, tough rough |
| Winner | Pat Bradley |
| Final score | Six under par (total 279) |
| Notable rival | Beth Daniel — close duel on back nine |
| Key moments | Long putt on 15, Birdie on 18 after a 70-yard approach |
| Records | Lowest U.S. Open LPGA total at the time; 279 was Open record until 1988; six under record stood until 2004 |
| Career notes | Bradley turned pro in 1974, won 31 LPGA events and six majors; Hall of Fame member |
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Additional Resources
- Chicago Tribune: Pat Bradley’s La Grange Comeback
- LPGA: Kathy Whitworth’s Million-Dollar Milestone
- LPGA: Kathy Whitworth’s 88th LPGA Tour Victory
- National Club Golfer: US Women’s Open Venues
- La Grange News: Todd Ormsby at Highland Country Club
- Wikipedia: Ladies Professional Golf Association
- Google Search: LPGA Championship 1981
- Google Scholar: Pat Bradley U.S. Open 1981
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: LPGA
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