Thursday, April 7, 2011

LPGA on another 3 week break.

After three weeks of some of the most exciting finishes I can remember, the tour will be taking a 3 week break. In fact only one tournament will be played in the next 6 weeks.

How exciting was the last 3 weeks? Let’s take a look.

The Founders Cup – Karrie Webb holds off a charging Paula Creamer (8 birdies in her last 14 holes) and wins by one stroke. Brittany Lincicome fails to make a par on the 72nd hole to force a playoff.

The Kia Classic – Sandra Gal (ranked #100 at the start of play) birdies the 72nd hole and takes down the #2 player in the world by a single stroke.

Kraft Nabisco Championship – Against all odds, Stacy Lewis outplays the #1 player in the world and makes her first victory a major.

It is just a shame that we have this break. It really is a momentum killer.

Next up is the Avnet Classic. Se Ri Pak will be defending her championship. This tournament has special significance because the top 10 players after the 2nd round who are not already in the Sybase Match Play Championship field will gain admission.

After those players are determined and 4 rounds are complete, the top 4 players on this year’s money list who aren’t already Sybase qualifiers will also get in. Here is how it is shaping up.

1. Sandra Gal - $ 302,379 – A lock to get one of the spots.
2. Katie Future - $ 128,610 – Almost a sure thing.
3. Mindy Kim - $ 84,344 – Looking pretty good.
4. Julieta Granada - $ 50,608 – Will need a good finish to hold on.
5. Amanda Blumenherst – $ 49,020
6. Marcy Hart - $ 46,046
7. Christel Boeljon – 42,970
8. Natalie Gulbis – 40,291

Here are some updated official LPGA leaders:

Rolex Player of the Year: (Carries a Hall of Fame point)
1. Karrie Webb – 69 points
2. Yani Tseng – 69
3. Stacy Lewis – 62
4. Sandra Gal – 31
5. Morgan Pressel – 28
6. Michelle Wie – 26
7. I.K. Kim – 24
8. Angela Stanford - 24
9. Paula Creamer – 18
10. Cristie Kerr – 18

Rolex Rookie of the Year:
1. Christel Boeljon – 106 points
2. Hee Kyung Seo – 68
3. Jenny Shin – 44
4. Stephanie Sherlock – 28
5. Jennifer Song – 26

Vare Trophy Standings: (Carries a Hall of Fame point)
1. Yani Tseng - 69.84 Strokes per round average
2. I.K. Kim – 70.69
3. Karrie Webb – 70.79
4. Sandra Gal – 71.07
5. Cristie Kerr – 71.29
6. Stacy Lewis – 71.32
7. Michelle Wie – 71.44
8. Paula Creamer – 71.53
9. Morgan Pressel – 71.68
10. Sun Young Yoo – 71.74

Last but not least, Stacy Lewis, Katie Futcher and Angela Stanford are the latest to qualify for the year end Titleholders Tournament. They join N.Y. Choi, Jiyai Shin, Kerr, Tseng, I.K. Kim, Wie, Creamer, Lincicome, Yoo, Webb, Pressel and Gal who are already in. Suzann Petterson, Ai Miyazato and Song-Hee Kim remain the biggest stars not to have qualified yet.

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