The Best of the LPGA: August 2011 Edition

I finally got the time to update my Best of the LPGA ranking from the last month that begins with an "A"! Just as in April, I'll be incorporating Tony Jesselli's and Thomas Atkins's latest rankings (both of which focus exclusively on the 2011 LPGA season) into my usual mash-up of the LPGA money list, the latest Hound Dog Top 70 (which focuses exclusively on LPGA performances and results from 2011 and 2010), and last week's Rolex Rankings (which assigns points based on results over the previous 104 weeks on the LPGA, JLPGA, KLPGA, LET, and Futures Tour) and Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index (which ranks players based on relative finishes over the previous 52 weeks on the LPGA, JLPGA, LET, and Futures Tour). I'll be using these 6 very different systems to divide LPGA players into tiers, then using my own judgment to rank them within each tier. So here goes!

OK, OK, I finally admit it. We're living in the Tseng Dynasty. Will this be as lasting as the Ochoa Era or even the Sorenstam Era? Not if her closest rivals in the Imperial Court can find a way to overthrow the Empress!

1. Ya Ni Tseng: #1 money ($1.78M), #1 RR (16.20), #3 GSPI (69.35), #1 HD, #1 TJ (260.64), #1 TA. Definitely dominant!
2. Cristie Kerr: #2 money ($1.13M), #2 RR (11.77), #2 GSPI (69.29), #2 HD, #3 TJ (136.84), #5 TA. The clear #2. Needs to start winning again to start closing the gap on the Empress!
3. Suzann Pettersen: #4 money ($878.0K), #3 RR (10.94), #4 GSPI (69.35), #3 HD, #7 TJ (106.36), #3 TA. Moved up 7 spots. Dominated in Ireland with a 63 and a 64 last weekend.
4. In-Kyung Kim: #8 money ($661.7K), #6 RR (7.90), #1 GSPI (69.05), #4 HD, #4 TJ (119.78), #6 TA. The best on the planet over the last calendar year, according to Golfweek, but like the rest of the court needs wins to make a move on Tseng.

It's hard to get onto the Imperial Court, but with top 10s in at least 4 of the 6 systems I'm tracking, these select players are giving it the ol' college try!

5. Karrie Webb: #7 money ($698.3K), #10 RR (6.72), #13 GSPI (70.26), #8 HD, #5 TJ (111.56), #2 TA. Hard to believe she's so low on the money list with 2 wins!
6. Stacy Lewis: #3 money ($911.7K), #11 RR (6.61), #14 GSPI (70.31), #9 HD, #2 TJ (148.30), #4 TA. Up 5 spots since April and most likely will keep rising.
7. Paula Creamer: #11 money ($584.4K), #9 RR (7.28), #7 GSPI (69.90), #10 HD, #11 TJ (90.26), #10 TA. Just barely squeaked onto the lead chase pack, but watch out for her once those putts start dropping!

With 3 top 10s in the 6 systems, these players need just a little more consistency in their excellence to join Tseng's lead chase pack, but they'll really need to get it going to make their way onto the Imperial Court.

8. Ji-Yai Shin: #12 money ($531.0K), #4 RR (9.45), #5 GSPI (69.49), #5 HD, #19 TJ (64.78), #11 TA. Hey, if this is as far as the former world #1 falls after changing coaches, swings, and caddies, I'd say that's a pretty good transition.
9. Na Yeon Choi: #13 money ($507.1K), #5 RR (8.37), #6 GSPI (69.58), #6 HD, #16 TJ (71.68), #13 TA. I don't expect last year's money-list title-holder and Vare Trophy winner to keep falling down these rankings much longer.
10. Ai Miyazato: #6 money ($701.3K), #7 RR (7.82), #24 GSPI (70.87), #7 HD, #14 TJ (73.38), #16 TA. Hard to tell where her season's headed, but I'm sticking with my original prediction!
11. Angela Stanford: #5 money ($717.2K), #18 RR (5.35), #20 GSPI (70.55), #11 HD, #6 TJ (106.42), #9 TA. How will she handle her major disappointments the last few weeks? Will this be her peak, or just a plateau before she restarts her ascent?

Same goes for the players with top 10s in at most 2 of the 6 systems and/or top 20s in at least 3 of them.

12. Morgan Pressel: #9 money ($624.7K), #13 RR (6.31), #16 GSPI (70.38), #13 HD, #10 TJ (96.70), #12 TA. Going in the wrong direction, mostly because of comebacks from those formerly behind her rather than any significantly worse play.
13. Brittany Lincicome: #10 money ($615.2K), #15 RR (5.89), #12 GSPI (70.13), #12 HD, #13 TJ (77.18), #7 TA. On the cusp of really playing well.
14. Amy Yang: #16 money ($474.8K), #21 RR (4.85), #10 GSPI (70.08), #14 HD, #9 TJ (100.80), #14 TA. I think she's ready to explode--in a good way!
15. Maria Hjorth: #14 money ($490.9K), #17 RR (5.47), #29 GSPI (71.11), #16 HD, #12 TJ (84.02), #8 TA. Up 8 spots, she's gone from exceeding expectations to falling short of new and lofty ones. How will she handle being among the LPGA's elite again? Can she keep rising?
16. Mika Miyazato: #17 money ($423.2K), #22 RR (4.79), #9 GSPI (70.02), #18 HD, #8 TJ (106.24), #17 TA. I think she's due for even more great golf.
17. Inbee Park: #24 money ($312.0K), #12 RR (6.43), #15 GSPI (70.33), #15 HD, #15 TJ (72.72), #22 TA. Starting to play better on the LPGA just as she started playing worse on the JLPGA. Is there a law of the conservation of low scores at work here?
18. Michelle Wie: #20 money ($352.9K), #14 RR (6.19), #17 GSPI (70.43), #17 HD, #20 TJ (63.90), #23 TA. Yes, she's down 13 spots, but give her a break already! I can't wait to see her silence her doubters at this year's Solheim Cup!
19. Sun Young Yoo: #22 money ($331.0K), #31 RR (3.62), #23 GSPI (70.82), #19 HD, #17 TJ (69.20), #19 TA. She's just kind of hanging around so far in 2011, so watch out if she gets it going for real.

The large number of players with at most 2 top 20s or at least 3 top 30s shows just how closely-packed the top players on the LPGA are. But can the newbies in the top 31 build on their relatively fast starts to 2011?

20. Hee Kyung Seo: #15 money ($488.1K), #24 RR (4.61), #32 GSPI (71.17), #22 HD, #27 TJ (44.50), #24 TA. The consensus pick for Rookie of the Year is finally showing what she's got. Just in time, too, as we're seeing a lot of her classmates debuting in these rankings just a little lower down the list!
21. Anna Nordqvist: #25 money ($298.5K), #28 RR (3.94), #25 GSPI (70.89), #21 HD, #18 TJ (65.18), #25 TA. I'm waiting for her to turn it up a notch this season.
22. Catriona Matthew: #21 money ($348.8K), #35 RR (3.26), #42 GSPI (71.51), #20 HD, #22 TJ (56.84), #18 TA. Can she bounce back from that tough last 9 at Carnoustie?
23. Sandra Gal: #18 money ($375.8K), #39 RR (2.92), #50 GSPI (71.74), #28 HD, #26 TJ (51.24), #15 TA. Yes, she's down 11 spots, but to tell you the truth I expected her to fall further. You can only ride a hit putter for so long on such a competitive tour. The question is, will she still get a captain's pick for Team Euro?
24. Brittany Lang: #19 money ($359.9K), #32 RR (3.52), #44 GSPI (71.60), #30 HD, #24 TJ (54.64), #28 TA. Very impressive WBO helps her move up 23 spots. Is she finally through with the 2nd big slump of her pro career?
25. Song-Hee Kim: #26 money ($246.5K), #16 RR (5.48), #26 GSPI (70.91), #23 HD, #35 TJ (30.52), #33 TA. When will she work through the 2nd slump of her pro career?
26. Se Ri Pak: #28 money ($220.7K), #34 RR (3.40), #19 GSPI (70.55), #27 HD, #28 TJ (42.06), #26 TA. Nice move up 6 spots. Would move further if she could put 4 good rounds together in a row.
27. Shanshan Feng: #33 money ($188.2K), #47 RR (2.51), #28 GSPI (71.08), #26 HD, #48 TJ (14.34), #27 TA. Big win on the JLPGA last week could be a sign of good things to come on the LPGA in the 2nd half of the season.
28. Sophie Gustafson: #23 money ($314.1K), #36 RR (3.21), #59 GSPI (71.94), #34 HD, #25 TJ (52.86), #29 TA. Would have moved up even further if she had putted better at Carnoustie.
29. Mindy Kim: #30 money ($216.4K), #76 RR (1.86), #84 GSPI (72.41), #31 HD, #29 TJ (41.50), #21 TA. Not hot anymore, but hanging in there. Let's see for how long!

The large group with at most 2 top 30s or at least 3 top 40s is the product of loads of volatility, both positive and negative. Can those rising take their games to the next level?

30. Meena Lee: #29 money ($218.6K), #54 RR (2.38), #38 GSPI (71.39), #25 HD, #31 TJ (38.24), #31 TA. Sweet move up 17 spots would have been even steeper if she had played better on the weekend at the WBO.
31. Karen Stupples: #27 money ($227.7K), #66 RR (2.12), #52 GSPI (71.79), #32 HD, #36 TJ (28.12), #30 TA. Up 30 spots, but also must be wondering when 4 good rounds in a row are coming.
32. Katie Futcher: #31 money ($214.4K), #67 RR (2.05), #95 GSPI (72.54), #40 HD, #23 TJ (56.60), #34 TA. Lock for a captain's pick for the U.S. Solheim Cup team. Finally making that quantum leap Kristy McPherson made before injuries slowed her down.
33. Juli Inkster: #34 money ($187.9K), #41 RR (2.80), #36 GSPI (71.37), #33 HD, #30 TJ (40.56), #41 TA. Yes, she's down 11 spots, but she's going to be the heart and soul of Team USA next month!
34. Candie Kung: #32 money ($190.8K), #75 RR (1.91), #37 GSPI (71.38), #36 HD, #33 TJ (32.68), #32 TA. Up 14 spots
35. Azahara Munoz: #39 money ($129.9K), #50 RR (2.45), #78 GSPI (72.23), #37 HD, #43 TJ (19.04), #35 TA. Last year's ROY is up 11 spots. Should be tough at Solheim Cup, assuming she's a captain's pick. I'd pick her before Gal, as she's played much more on the LET.
36. Eun-Hee Ji: #38 money ($131.7K), #87 RR (1.66), #27 GSPI (71.06), #38 HD, #93 TJ (1.24), #38 TA. Just as I predicted, she's coming around from her U.S. Women's Open jinx and has moved up 23 spots.
37. Chella Choi: #35 money ($161.3K), #98 RR (1.47), #70 GSPI (72.13), #45 HD, #38 TJ (23.94), #36 TA. Nice move up 17 spots for a player who might be the most under everyone's radar this year.
38. Katherine Hull: #44 money ($114.9K), #30 RR (3.75), #33 GSPI (71.17), #29 HD, #51 TJ (12.84), #43 TA. Down 11 spots, largely because of injuries. Here's hoping she gets healthy soon!

There are a lot of young players with at most 2 top 40s and/or at least 3 top 50s:

39. Jimin Kang: #48 money ($104.0K), #48 RR (2.46), #53 GSPI (71.82), #35 HD, #72 TJ (4.92), #42 TA.
40. Beatriz Recari: #36 money ($132.5K), #51 RR (2.44), #81 GSPI (72.28), #39 HD, #49 TJ (14.16), #45 TA.
41. Hee Young Park: #49 money ($102.7K), #68 RR (2.00), #49 GSPI (71.74), #44 HD, #59 TJ (10.88), #37 TA. Up 11 spots.
42. Amy Hung: #47 money ($104.5K), #91 RR (1.59), #47 GSPI (71.67), #51 HD, #50 TJ (13.98), #52 TA. Up 8 spots.
43. Stacy Prammanasudh: #40 money ($125.4K), #94 RR (1.57), #54 GSPI (71.82), #42 HD, #61 TJ (10.20), #46 TA. Down 14 spots.
44. Paige Mackenzie: #37 money ($122.2K), #122 RR (1.24), #77 GSPI (72.22), #50 HD, #42 TJ (19.90), #44 TA. Up 11 spots.
45. Pornanong Phatlum: #55 money ($84.6K), #144 RR (1.03), #76 GSPI (72.20), #47 HD, #54 TJ (11.76), #39 TA. Up 8 spots.
46. Karine Icher: #72 money ($55.4K), #63 RR (2.13), #40 GSPI (71.48), #41 HD, #86 TJ (2.64), #53 TA. Down 9 spots.
47. Natalie Gulbis: #41 money ($124.1K), #102 RR (1.44), #60 GSPI (71.95), #46 HD, #67 TJ (8.22), #40 TA. Up 13 spots.
48. Pat Hurst: #42 money ($121.5K), #103 RR (1.43), #102 GSPI (72.67), #65 HD, #40 TJ (20.36), #66 TA. Up 20 spots.
49. Ryann O'Toole: #45 money ($109.8K), #124 RR (1.23), #73 GSPI (72.16), #49 HD, #41 TJ (20.28), #57 TA. Debut!
50. Caroline Hedwall: #60 money ($74.3K), #52 RR (2.41), #35 GSPI (71.17), #60 HD, #69 TJ (7.80), #82 TA. Debut! Will she be a captain's pick for Team Euro? She'd be if I were captain!
51. Julieta Granada: #51 money ($93.0K), #129 RR (1.18), #183 GSPI (73.82), n.r. HD, #34 TJ (32.66), #72 TA. Down 20 spots.

A good mix of golfers have at most 2 top 50s and/or at least 3 top 60s. I'm curious to see who among them can arrest their falls or keep rising.

52. Momoko Ueda: #50 money ($95.6K), #57 RR (2.29), #79 GSPI (72.25), #43 HD, #87 TJ (2.64), #48 TA. Down 12 spots.
53. Kristy McPherson: #53 money ($91.2K), #65 RR (2.13), #63 GSPI (72.01), #48 HD, #84 TJ (2.72), #50 TA. Down 15 spots.
54. Vicky Hurst: #46 money ($105.1K), #69 RR (1.98), #68 GSPI (72.12), #52 HD, #73 TJ (4.50), #51 TA.
55. Wendy Ward: #43 money ($121.5K), #97 RR (1.49), #89 GSPI (72.47), #64 HD, #53 TJ (12.40), #47 TA. Up 10 spots.
56. Cindy LaCrosse: #52 money ($89.2K), #131 RR (1.16), #69 GSPI (72.13), #53 HD, #45 TJ (17.70), #55 TA. Debut!
57. Mina Harigae: #57 money ($80.1K), #138 RR (1.09), #70 GSPI (72.28), #54 HD, #66 TJ (8.30), #58 TA.
58. Kyeong Bae: #52 money ($91.7K), #109 RR (1.40), #83 GSPI (72.37), #67 HD, #44 TJ (18.22), #70 TA. Down 17 spots.
59. Heather Bowie Young: #56 money ($80.5K), #120 RR (1.25), #87 GSPI (72.43), #57 HD, #58 TJ (10.88), #67 TA. Up 11 spots.
60. Marcy Hart: #66 money ($61.5K), #252 RR (.47), n.r. GSPI (72.79) [not enough events in database], #61 HD, #60 TJ (10.20), #49 TA. Down 17 spots.
61. Dewi Claire Schreefel: #63 money ($67.1K), #202 RR (.65), #165 GSPI (73.64), n.r. HD, #46 TJ (16.28), #90 TA. Debut!
62. Shi Hyun Ahn: #94 money ($24.9K), #162 RR (.89), #47 GSPI (71.43), n.r. HD, #94 TJ (1.24), #94 TA.

A good number of golfers have at most 2 top 60s and/or at least 3 top 70s:

63. Christina Kim: #59 money ($77.6K), #71 RR (1.96), #71 GSPI (72.14), #58 HD, #64 TJ (9.12), #68 TA. Down 7 spots.
64. M.J. Hur: #58 money ($79.1K), #73 RR (1.93), #73 GSPI (71.47), #56 HD, #63 TJ (9.24), #61 TA. Down 30 spots.
65. Christel Boeljon: #71 money ($55.4K), #53 RR (2.39), #65 GSPI (72.03), n.r. HD, #55 TJ (11.48), #76 TA. Down 23 spots.
66. Seon Hwa Lee: #67 money ($61.0K), #106 RR (1.43), #82 GSPI (72.33), #63 HD, #65 TJ (8.82), #73 TA. Down 27 spots.
67. Lindsey Wright: #64 money ($64.2K), #126 RR (1.21), #109 GSPI (72.79), #70 HD, n.r. TJ, #63 TA.
68. Alena Sharp: #65 money ($64.2K), #130 RR (1.16), #76 GSPI (72.11), n.r. HD, #68 TJ (8.06), #66 TA.
69. Amanda Blumenherst: #62 money ($71.7K), #111 RR (1.37), #93 GSPI (72.29), n.r. HD, #70 TJ (6.80), #69 TA. Down 20 spots.
70. Jennifer Johnson: #73 money ($48.8K), #242 RR (.51), #62 GSPI (72.01), #59 HD, n.r. TJ, #59 TA. Debut!
71. Jee Young Lee: #111 money ($14.0K), #59 RR (2.19), #105 GSPI (72.71), #62 HD, n.r. TJ, n.r. TA.
72. Lorie Kane: #81 money ($39.5K), #218 RR (.59), #140 GSPI (73.27), #68 HD, n.r. TJ, #54 TA. Debut!

A surprisingly large number of players have at most 2 top 70s and/or at least 3 top 80s:

73. Jennifer Song: #74 money ($47.4K), #128 RR (1.18), #67 GSPI (72.07), n.r. HD, #78 TJ (3.36), #80 TA. Down 10 spots.
74. Meaghan Francella: #68 money ($58.2K), #151 RR (.98), #75 GSPI (72.11), n.r. HD, n.r. TJ, #75 TA. Down 12 spots.
75. Leta Lindley: #61 money ($73.7K), #223 RR (.52), #85 GSPI (72.42), n.r. HD, n.r. TJ, #62 TA.
76. Tiffany Joh: #76 money ($46.3K), #161 RR (.90), #61 GSPI (71.96), n.r. HD, n.r. TJ, #74 TA. Debut!
77. Sarah Jane Smith: #78 money ($44.1K), #143 RR (1.05), #135 GSPI (73.95), #66 HD, #71 TJ (9.90), #77 TA. Down 26 spots.
78. Hee-Won Han: #69 money ($58.0K), #117 RR (1.27), #83 GSPI (72.19), n.r. HD, n.r. TJ, n.r. TA.
79. Haeji Kang: #70 money ($56.6K), #136 RR (1.13), #141 GSPI (73.28), n.r. HD, n.r. TJ, #64 TA.
80. Jin Young Pak: #79 money ($39.9K), n.r. RR, #118 GSPI (72.96), n.r. HD, #74 TJ (4.34), #71 TA. Debut!
81. Michele Redman: #88 money ($34.9K), #153 RR (.97), #136 GSPI (73.19), #69 HD, n.r. TJ, #81 TA. Return!