WILLIAMSBURG

Karen Stupples took a measured sense of pride in being the low finisher among LPGA Tour mothers Sunday at the Michelob Ultra Open.

So did her caddy and husband, former Old Dominion golfer Bobby Inman.

Inman, who attended Oscar Smith High School and played at ODU in the 1970s, has been caddying for Stupples for five years. The work relationship became a romance shortly thereafter and last spring Stupples, who is British, gave birth to their first child, Logan.

The couple made it official in April when they were married at Cupid's Chapel in Las Vegas.

"Karen wasn't going to Mexico to play in the Corona Championships and her parents were in the United States visiting at the time," Inman said. "So we figured it was a good time. And why not Las Vegas? We found the place online and liked it."

Inman, after hanging up his own attempt at a playing career, has been on a number of bags as a caddy on the LPGA Tour the past 26 years. He's toted for Donna Caponi, Ayako Okamoto, Amy Benz, Judy Dickinson, Rosie Jones, Amy Alcott and Jane Geddes.

He started caddying for Stupples, the 2004 Women's British Open champion, in 2003. Stupples finished eight shots ahead of Laura Diaz, the next-lowest mom in the field.

"I was making sure I was ahead of Laura all day," Stupples quipped.

More importantly, she tied for second overall, worth $138,548.

Her 16-foot birdie attempt at the final hole hung on the right lip, refusing to fall. If it had, she would have pocketed $62,367 more for sole second place.

"I really wanted that to fall," Stupples said. "It might have been a little greedy, but baby needs a new pair of shoes.

"No, really - he does."

An eagle at the par-5 seventh was the highlight of Stupples' round. She hit a rescue 3-wood within 15 feet and drained the putt.

She said she planned to gather her one-year-old in her arms and "cuddle and kiss him all over" tonight.

"He probably won't like it much," Stupples said.

"But tonight he's got no choice."

Rich Radford, (757) 446-2463, rich.radford@pilotonline.com