84-year-old JoAnne Carner does the unthinkable, easily beats her age at U.S. Senior Women’s Open

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Carner continues to elevate her legendary status as the 84-year-old posted an amazing round Thursday at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

This week is the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Waverley Country Club in Portland, Ore. JoAnne Carner did the unthinkable in Round 1 as the 84-year-old carded an 80 to beat her age yet again.

The two-time U.S. Women’s Open winner has won eight USGA titles, which is more than any other woman in history. Carner won 43 LPGA titles during her Hall of Fame career.

“Once in a while, I’d hit one, but it was just work all day,” Carner said after her round. “I missed a lot of greens. It plays long for me because I have a 9-degree driver, and I’m driving right into those hills, and I can’t adjust it, so I don’t get the carry, and I’m going in with long clubs all day, 3-woods all day long second shots, and then can’t get there.”

Affectionally known as Big Mama, she nearly made an ace on her final hole of the day, the par-3 9th. She tapped in her only birdie to sign for 80.

This score marks the sixth time in her the title’s five-year history that Carner has shot her age or better.

She isn’t oblivious to the challenges, but her score wasn’t exactly what she wanted.

“Well, it’s a little outrageous,” Carner said. “Sixty-nine sounds wonderful to me.”

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.