Although Cristie Kerr is a 19-time LPGA winner, her victory at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France was something special—and not because it was her first win on the Ladies European Tour.
It was because she was playing for all of the people who lost their battle with cancer.
Each player donated five euros for every birdie recorded during the first two rounds of the tournament to ARTIC, a cancer charity, in memory of Ladies European Tour player Cassandra Kirkland, who died from cancer in April. Kerr, a big supporter of Birdies for Breast Cancer, pledged $5,000 to the cause.
This tournament was personal, evidenced by her emotional reaction to the win.
“We lost Cassandra and we lost a good friend of mine back home on Tuesday to cancer. I’m sorry, but f*** cancer,” Kerr said.
After holing out her second shot for eagle on the 18th hole of the third round, she nodded to the sky; and again, pointed at the heavens after parring the final hole for a four-stroke victory at 17 under (62-64-68-69).
“I’ve been having an angel on my shoulder all week. I was on a mission, and I got it done for them,” Kerr said.
She also apologized for using the “F” word.
“I’m just so sick of people losing people to cancer,” Kerr said.
I think anyone who has had cancer or watched someone’s life be cut short by this horrific disease feels the same way, particularly the use of the “F” bomb around it. In other words, no apology needed, Cristie.
We just need to find a cure.
