In Part 2 of our four-part conversation with 1993 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Lauri Merten, we explore the winding and often challenging road that led her to the LPGA Tour—and her breakthrough victory.

Lauri shares her early experiences playing in professional events as a teenager, including a memorable LPGA event at Sun City with her father on the bag and her stunning 67 that made her an overnight leader. From those formative moments, we follow her journey through Q-School heartbreak, international pro-ams in Japan, and the financial support that made chasing her dream possible.

Lauri opens up about the pressure-packed nature of LPGA qualifying and the unlikely first win that came in 1983 at the Rail Charity Classic in Springfield, Illinois—where advice from her father, an eagle on 13, and a prayerful putting green moment all played a part in her emotional triumph. She also recounts her second LPGA win in 1984 at the inaugural Jamie Farr Toledo Classic, where she outdueled none other than Nancy Lopez on the final day—on her birthday, no less!

With vivid stories involving Pat Bradley, Charles Barkley, and iconic tour stops, Lauri gives listeners a candid and heartfelt look at life on the LPGA Tour during its golden era. Her humor, humility, and competitive fire shine through as she reflects on the people and places that shaped her career.

Join us for this inspiring episode as Lauri Merten continues her journey FORE the Good of the Game—sharing stories, wisdom, and memories that golf fans of all generations will treasure.

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About

"FORE the Good of the Game” is a golf podcast featuring interviews with World Golf Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around the game of golf. Highlighting the positive aspects of the game, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by PGA Tour star Bruce Devlin, our podcast focuses on telling their life stories, in their voices. Join Bruce and Mike Gonzalez “FORE the Good of the Game.”

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