I haven't run the LPGA Prognostication Derby since 2012 and I still don't have time to bring it back. Basically it involved inviting everyone interested to compile a list of the 30 LPGA members who have the best chance of garnering Player of the Year honors in an upcoming season, ranked from most likely at #1 to least likely at #30 (least likely among an elite group of picks, that is). This season, the only person I've seen venture predictions of this sort is Tony Jesselli. As my final installment in my 2014 LPGA preview series, here are my projected top 30:
1. Suzann Pettersen
2. Stacy Lewis
3. Shanshan Feng
4. So Yeon Ryu
5. Lexi Thompson
6. Inbee Park
7. Na Yeon Choi
8. Lydia Ko
9. Amy Yang
10. Ai Miyazato
11. In-Kyung Kim
12. Caroline Hedwall
13. Paula Creamer
14. Azahara Munoz
15. Chella Choi
16. Angela Stanford
17. Beatriz Recari
18. Ya Ni Tseng
19. Hee Young Park
20. Carlota Ciganda
21. Jessica Korda
22. Anna Nordqvist
23. Sandra Gal
24. Morgan Pressel
25. Sun Young Yoo
26. Michelle Wie
27. Mika Miyazato
28. Cristie Kerr
29. Hee Kyung Seo
30. Karrie Webb
The players most likely to make me regret leaving them off this list are, in rough order, Se Ri Pak, Catriona Matthew, Brittany Lincicome, Lizette Salas, Pornanong Phatlum, Gerina Piller, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Ilhee Lee, Brittany Lang, Jennifer Johnson, Karine Icher, Chie Arimura, Mi Rim Lee, Haeji Kang, Jenny Shin, Jane Park, Caroline Masson, Ayako Uehara, Mina Harigae, Vicky Hurst, and Danielle Kang. So I guess this was really a top 51! [Update (11:30 pm): Thanks, Tony, for pointing out my Salas oversight!]
2 comments:
This is an interesting list when you compare it to mine.
Biggest differences:
1- I have Munoz, who finished 38th last year improving to 30. You have her way up at 14 (ahead of Recari who has won 3x in the last two years.
2- You have much higher expectations for Yani, she didn't make my list.
3- I can't believe Phatlum didn't make your top 30, but even more surprised that Salas doesn't make your top 50.
That is what makes this fun. Wish we had more people doing it.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!
Oh, boy, can I get a do-over? I meant to put Salas in my top 50 at least!
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