'I Think 100 Is My Finishing Line' - Angela Stanford Suggests Retirement Is Close Ahead Of 98th Consecutive Major
The 2018 Evian Championship winner is playing her 98th consecutive Major at the Chevron Championship this week aged 46
Angela Stanford remains full of belief that she can become the first LPGA Tour player ever to reach 100 consecutive starts at a Major championship - but suggested once she does it, that could well be the end of her playing days.
The 2018 Evian Championship winner is teeing it up in her 98th straight Major at this week's Chevron Championship - with top-five results in each of the five biggest events - and will be looking to better her T3 from 2011 at Mission Hills in the process.
She turned professional in 2000 before quickly making her way onto the LPGA Tour the following season. Since then, Stanford has won a Major championship plus six regular tour titles, reached World No. 9, and banked over $12 million in career earnings.
In addition, the Forth Worth, Texas-born player has represented her country a total of eight times across the Solheim Cup and Lexus Cup - going on to be assistant captain at the 2023 Solheim Cup and retaining her role for 2024's contest.
But arguably the most impressive achievement of all is Stanford's record of consecutive Majors. Beginning at the 2002 McDonald’s LPGA Championship, she has competed in every single one since - dodging injury and bad luck in the process. For that, Stanford passed on her hearty thanks to trainer, Dan Riley.
Angela Stanford set to play in her 98th consecutive major. #roadto100 pic.twitter.com/8n89d65oscApril 16, 2024
Dan, whose father Paul worked for Chevron, was given a Chevron-funded scholarship as a child of one of its employees. And in a full-circle moment, he helped Stanford reach No. 98.
She said: "You know, it kind of seems like a dream sometimes. I feel very blessed. I haven't had -- I've had one major injury and it came at the end of 2018.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"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."
Having gracefully passed number two on the all-time list, Cristie Kerr (92) in 2023, the part-time Golf Channel analyst shared her reaction to a question surrounding the fact that she could go down in history as holding one of the all-time unbreakable records in the sport.
Stanford replied: "You know, I thought about it. You sometimes think that you would see things once in a generation or once in a lifetime. You know, even if it wasn't me, I would still want one of our players to cross the line. 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.
"Obviously because Jack Nicklaus is the only human to ever do this. So regardless if it was me or somebody else, I hope I get there. I appreciate Chevron helping me in this step, the 98th step.
"I have my U.S. Open qualifier next week, so I've been thinking about that quite a bit. But I don't want it to stop at 98."
A post shared by The Chevron Championship (@thechevronchampionship)
A photo posted by on
As Stanford mentioned, reaching 100 is far from a done deal as she must tackle US Open qualifying or hope for an exemption via the USGA to reach 99.
While 100 is certainly a key number in her story, Stanford is also perfectly aware of her age and the fact that she admitted it is becoming tougher and tougher to sufficiently recover the day after playing.
Revealing her thoughts on what the rest of her career might look like - however long or short - Stanford said: "If I can get to 100 -- I want to go to Evian and then I'll play my favorites this fall. I think that's it honestly.
"The time I've put in this off-season and getting to the point where it takes so much just to get up and play, you know, again, I've been really healthy and my body is just -- it just takes so much more to recover.
"Again, it goes back to respecting the competition and the game. If I can't give it 110%, it's time to go do something else."
And why - when a number of her competitors have retired in their 30s - is Stanford continuing to push herself to the limit? It's all about making it to 100 consecutive Majors, of course.
She said: "I had to make that decision this off-season. I loved doing TV last year. I love the people. I think I could do that for however many coming years. I would love it. I would love to still be a part of the Tour.
"But I realized it was so close. I was three -- I'm three majors away from crossing that line. I at least had to try. I got to try. I think I would regret it forever if I just said I'm good at 97.
"Again, only one human has ever done this. There has been a lot of different -- like my faith is involved in this. I've had those moments. And I wrote for a sponsor invite to Singapore and didn't get it, and I remember thinking, this isn't going to be as -- this isn't my plan. My plan isn't going to go as I thought.
"But I just had to try. I've always been the type that I'm going to give it everything I have until I'm finished. I think this is it. I think 100 is my finish line."
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Start Flushing Your Fairway Woods With 3 Super Simple Tips From PGA Pro Peter Finch
Flushing your fairway woods can take your game to the next level, but many amateurs struggle. Peter Finch has three simple tips to utilise these useful clubs
By Peter Finch Published
-
Bubba Watson Makes Hole-In-One To Move In To Contention At Asian Tour Event
Playing the BNI Indonesian Masters for the first time, the two-time Major winner moved firmly into contention on Saturday thanks to an ace at the par 3 11th
By Matt Cradock Published
-
LPGA Tour Event Reduced To 54 Holes After Tropical Storm Kong-Rey
After Saturday's play was completely washed out due to the tropical storm, the LPGA Tour announced that the Toto Japan Classic will be reduced to 54 holes
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Full Field And Teams Confirmed Ahead Of 2024 Tournament
All 16 pairings have been unveiled ahead of the second-ever Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club in December
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Curtis Cup Star Jasmine Koo Wins Third Consecutive Collegiate Title
Jasmine Koo secured the East Lake Cup to become the first USC Trojan to win three consecutive titles since 2013
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Toto Japan Classic Prize Money Payout 2024
Mone Inami defends her title as the Asian Swing section of the LPGA Tour season concludes with the Toto Japan classic at Seta Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Aramco Team Series Riyadh Prize Money Payout 2024
Alison Lee defends her title in Riyadh
By Mike Hall Published
-
Ruoning Yin Lands Second LPGA Tour Title In Three Starts
China's Yin won the Maybank Championship in fine style after carding a final round 65 to triumph by one over Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
College Stars Make Big Decisions On Turning Pro After Reaching Final Stage Of LPGA Tour Q-Series
Adela Cernousek and Zoe Campos both progressed to the final stage of LPGA Tour’s Q-Series, but only one will be taking the chance to earn a card for the 2025 season
By Mike Hall Published
-
Report: Transgender Golfer Faces Potential Ban Amid LPGA Tour Policy Review
Hailey Davidson may be banned from competing on next season's Epson Tour despite earning status on the developmental circuit via the second stage of LPGA Q-Series
By Mike Hall Published