Cristie Kerr had changed almost everything in her life before winning the U.S. Women’s Open last weekend at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. Now, we’ll find out if the Scottsdale pro’s sudden success will reshape her hard-as-nails, take-no-prisoners persona.
The last time I ran into Kerr she had just missed the cut at the LPGA Safeway International in mid-March. Granted, no player is a great interview in such a situation. So, yes, Kerr was curt.
Asked why she had decided to leave her long-time home in Florida to move to Scottsdale, Kerr replied rather dryly: “No humidity.’’ She didn’t elaborate, although Kerr did expound when I followed that up with a query about how she had been playing lately.
“I’m either hot, or I’m not,’’ she said point-blank. Basically, that was the interview.
Since missing three cuts in her first seven tournaments, Kerr has cruised with four top-10s culminated by her first win of the season. In the process, she unloaded an 800-pound gorilla in the major championships, where she was zero-for-41, or almost Phil Mickelson-like.
Just don’t try to figure it out after Kerr’s big win made the world’s No. 1 player, Lorena Ochoa, the new “best player in women’s golf to never have won a major’’
And remember, the U.S. Open is Kerr’s 10 th career win, meaning she is half way – somewhat surprisingly -- to the LPGA Hall of Fame.
At the moment, there seems little doubt about Kerr’s place in women’s golf, even if it’s probably no better than being the best American on a tour dominated by foreigners. Hey, it’s a start!
“I don’t know if ‘slighted’ is the right word,’’ the 29-year-old Kerr said when asked about her place in today’s pecking order. “Maybe ‘overlooked’ a little bit.
“But the media is the media, and they’ll write what they want to write. I know in my heart of hearts who I am and how many wins I have and what I’ve done.’’
Yes, the chip always has been squarely on Kerr’s shoulders, especially with the media. I can understand some of the “why?”
Kerr was a rather large, arrogant kid with thick glasses when she first showed up on the tour as an 18-year-old in 1997. The reality was, Kerr didn’t care if people liked her or not because there was a good chance she didn’t like them.
“I took a lot of abuse when I was growing up,’’ Kerr explained of her once-unflattering looks and physique. “I’m sure that had something to do with it.’’
“It’’ was her early years on the tour, when Kerr couldn’t find a friend until Natalie Gulbis eventually showed up in 2002. Shortly after, Kerr shed almost 60 pounds, going from a size 18 to a 2. The glasses also disappeared in favor of contacts, and suddenly even Kerr’s father didn’t recognize his beautiful daughter. (True story!)
More changes occurred when Kerr’s weight loss redefined her swing into more of a classic full turn. To understand the difference, all you need to know is Kerr won once during her first five years playing “chubby,’’ and nine times since the weight loss.
Another huge change came last year, when Kerr left Gaylord Sports and married Eric Stevens, who became her agent. The final piece of the puzzle came when Kerr signed an endorsement deal with Mirabel, which represented a fresh start in a brand-new home.
Kerr’s well-chronicled wedding at Mirabel also was a big hit, with Gulbis as maid of honor and Morgan Pressel among the bride’s maids. That a large contingent of LPGA players attended the festivities also spoke volumes about Kerr’s metamorphosis from outcast/brat to “just one of the girls.’’ In every way, an amazing turnaround.
Now, for a second straight year a transplanted East Valley resident has won a national championship and brought the large silver trophy back to Scottsdale. Australian Geoff Ogilvy did it last year after winning the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, and Kerr is making similar plans.
“I’m going to give (the trophy) a very special place in my home. I might even build some lights and stuff around it,’’ Kerr said of the piece of hardware that bears the names of such greats as Babe Zaharias, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls and Sorenstam.
One thing we already know is Kerr is very good at changing things, so the new trophy room should be a piece of cake. How all of this U.S. Open hoopla ultimately affects Kerr’s outlook on life remains the wild card.
“Just don’t overlook me anymore,’’ Kerr chided the media at the conclusion of Sunday’s press conference. Then she laughed, adding good-naturedly: “I’m kidding. I’m being sassy.’’
Maybe I’m just wishing and hoping, but I’d like to believe that’s the new Cristie Kerr. Seriously, it’s been proven that winning the U.S. Open will do that to you.
|
