Dame Laura Davies has been inducted into golf’s Hall of Fame – but a four-hour flight delay in Philadelphia forced her to miss attending the official ceremony.
Davies, who had flown back to Britain from the USA after playing in the final round of the Women’s US Open in Pennsylvania, had to watch the ceremony from a car after she failed to reach St Andrews in time.
Former LPGA commissioner Charlie Meacham inducted Davies, who became the 35th female Hall of Fame member, and accepted the trophy on her behalf.
In a pre-recorded acceptance message, which was played at the ceremony in her absence, Dame Laura said: “A massive apology for not being there today. It was obviously something I really didn’t want to miss. Circumstances have put us in this position. It’s my chance really to thank everybody that’s helped me get to this position after 31 years travelling the road. No one ever put any pressure on me and I think that’s why I’ve been lucky enough to last this long, because it’s just been support and confidence-building from everybody and I really appreciate everything they’ve all done.”
Davies, who was inducted in the class of 2015 alongside Mark O’Meara, David Graham and the late AW Tillinghast, finally made her entrance during the post-ceremony reception.