Unlike in golf, breaking 95 is a very rare achievement in figure skating when it comes to the score for your short program. Well, that's what Daisuke Takahashi just did at the Japanese nationals:
He wasn't satisfied with his step sequence, he said in interviews afterward, but he nailed his quad (in a quad-triple combo!) and was awesome on his other jumps, as well. Ended up earning himself a 96.05, over 10 points ahead of his nearest pursuer (Kozuka) and over 20 points ahead of his next-closest competitor (Hanyu)!
I'm hoping Takahashi skates great in his long program, because I'd love to see him eclipse the hyper-inflated score Patrick Chan beat him with at the ISU Grand Prix, where Chan actually extended his lead on Dai-chan despite bringing his C-game to the free skate. Everyone watching thought that Dai-chan completed outskated Chan when the chips were down and that the only question was whether Chan's huge lead from the short program would hold up against Dai-chan's onslaught. Instead.... Well, just watch. I still can't write about it....
First, Dai-chan's challenge:
Then, Chan's response:
Dai-chan wuz robbed, I tellz yuh!
Now let's hear the commentary in English, first for Takahashi:
Then, for Chan:
What do you think?
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
It's Official: LET Recognizes Ai Miyazato as Their Leading Money-Winner
The LET has formally announced that Caroline Hedwall is their 2011 Rookie of the Year and Ai Miyazato their 2011 money-list title-holder.
Ai-sama's in great company internationally--here are the other money-list winners from women's professional tours, great and small, that I could find information on so far this year:
Ya Ni Tseng: LPGA, ALPG, LAGT, and TLPGA
Sun-Ju Ahn: JLPGA
Ha Neul Kim: KLPGA
Porani Chutichai: CLPGA
Kathleen Ekey: Futures Tour (LPGA)
Aoi Nagata: Step-Up Tour (JLPGA)
Marieke Nivard: LET Access Series
Jessica Shepley: CN Canadian Women's Tour
Julie Maisongrosse: Generali Ladies Tour
Ginger Howard: SunCoast Series
Anyone know who won the KLPGA's Dream Tour or Phoenix's Cactus Tour? [Update 4 (1/2/12, 12:09 pm): Happy Fan over at Seoul Sisters informs me Hae Rim Kim won the Dream Tour money list!]
[Update 1 (9:15 am): pearshapedhuman pointed out in comments on another post that Ya Ni Tseng won over 400 million euros this year on the LET--but as she wasn't an LET member, she doesn't appear on their official money list. So call her their unofficial money leader this year and, if she takes LET membership for 2012, not only their frontrunner for Rookie of the Year but also the player with the best chance in the world of women's golf to win both the LPGA and LET money titles!]
[Update 2 (11:14 am): Ah, the AP is actually paying attention to women's golf! It's more of an editorial than a news story, but still interesting!]
[Update 3 (8:28 pm): Jonathan Wall agrees with the AP's Doug Ferguson that the LET needs to require a minimum number of events to remain a member and be eligible for the money-list title. How high should they set the bar, then, when the higher you go the more top European players you force off your tour? In 2011, Suzann Pettersen and Azahara Munoz only played 3 times, Anna Nordqvist 4, and Karen Stupples and Sandra Gal 5.]
Ai-sama's in great company internationally--here are the other money-list winners from women's professional tours, great and small, that I could find information on so far this year:
Ya Ni Tseng: LPGA, ALPG, LAGT, and TLPGA
Sun-Ju Ahn: JLPGA
Ha Neul Kim: KLPGA
Porani Chutichai: CLPGA
Kathleen Ekey: Futures Tour (LPGA)
Aoi Nagata: Step-Up Tour (JLPGA)
Marieke Nivard: LET Access Series
Jessica Shepley: CN Canadian Women's Tour
Julie Maisongrosse: Generali Ladies Tour
Ginger Howard: SunCoast Series
Anyone know who won the KLPGA's Dream Tour or Phoenix's Cactus Tour? [Update 4 (1/2/12, 12:09 pm): Happy Fan over at Seoul Sisters informs me Hae Rim Kim won the Dream Tour money list!]
[Update 1 (9:15 am): pearshapedhuman pointed out in comments on another post that Ya Ni Tseng won over 400 million euros this year on the LET--but as she wasn't an LET member, she doesn't appear on their official money list. So call her their unofficial money leader this year and, if she takes LET membership for 2012, not only their frontrunner for Rookie of the Year but also the player with the best chance in the world of women's golf to win both the LPGA and LET money titles!]
[Update 2 (11:14 am): Ah, the AP is actually paying attention to women's golf! It's more of an editorial than a news story, but still interesting!]
[Update 3 (8:28 pm): Jonathan Wall agrees with the AP's Doug Ferguson that the LET needs to require a minimum number of events to remain a member and be eligible for the money-list title. How high should they set the bar, then, when the higher you go the more top European players you force off your tour? In 2011, Suzann Pettersen and Azahara Munoz only played 3 times, Anna Nordqvist 4, and Karen Stupples and Sandra Gal 5.]
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The 2011 Worldwide Women's Developmental Tour Schedule and Results, Final Edition
Here's the final update to my 2011 guide to playing opportunities custom-made for up-and-coming female pros, from the major tour-affiliated organizations like the Futures Tour in the USA, the Step-Up Tour in Japan, the Dream Tour in Korea, and the LET Access Series in Europe to mid-size tours like the ALPG in Australia, the LAGT in Asia, and the CLPGA in China, to the even smaller ones like the TLPGA in Taiwan, the CN Canadian Women's Tour in Canada, the Generali Ladies Tour in Europe, the Cactus Tour in Phoenix, AZ, and the SunCoast Series in Florida.
It'll be interesting to see if this year's trend of well-established and even big-time players competing and winning on these developmental and mini-tours (often due to events being co-sponsored with major tours, but not always) will continue in 2012. And given how many of this year's graduates from these tours have already made waves in the big leagues--think O'Toole, LaCrosse, and Joh on the LPGA and Nomura on the JLPGA--it'll be interesting to see who among them steps up their games even further next season.
DECEMBER 2010
2-3 St. Georges Basin Country Club Pro-Am (ALPG) JOANNE MILLS
17-19: Hyundai China Ladies Open (CLPGA/KLPGA) HYE YOUN KIM
JANUARY 2011
6-8 Royal Open (TLPGA) MI RIM LEE
8-9 Xstrata Coal Branxton Golf Club Pro-Am (ALPG) RACHEL BAILEY
12 NRE Gujarat Russell Vale Challenge Cup (ALPG) RYANN O'TOOLE
13-14 Moss Vale Golf Club Classic (ALPG) KATHERINE HULL
14-16 Taifong Ladies Open (TLPGA) YA NI TSENG
16-17 Mount Broughton Classic (ALPG) KATHERINE HULL
18-20 Orange Tree Country Club (SCS) CINDY LACROSSE
21-23 Bing Lee Samsung NSW Women's Open (ALPG) CAROLINE HEDWALL; Hitachi Classic (TLPGA) PORNANONG PHATLUM
24-26 West Orange Country Club (SCS) LAURA DIAZ
28-30 ActewAGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic (ALPG) ASHLEY ONA [a]
31-2/2 The Legacy (CT) MINDY KIM
FEBRUARY 2011
1-3 Red Tail Country Club (SCS) MOIRA DUNN
3-6 Women's Australian Open (ALPG/LET) YA NI TSENG
7-9 Papago (CT) JULIE YANG [a]
8-10 Magnolia Plantation (SCS) CHELLA CHOI
9-11 Thailand Ladies Open (LAGT) TANAPORN KONGKRIATKRAI
10-13 ANZ RACV Ladies Masters (ALPG/LET) YA NI TSENG
14-16 Wigwam Red (CT) ALENA SHARP
15-17 Mission Inn Resort--Las Colinas (SCS) HYUN-JI KIM
17-20 Pegasus New Zealand Women's Open (ALPG/LET) KRISTIE SMITH
22-24 CC of Mount Dora (SCS) KRIS TAMULIS
24 Lady Anne Funerals Ryde Parramatta Pro-Am (ALPG) SARAH KEMP
24-26 Yumeya Championship (LAGT) SAKURA YOKOMINE
28-3/2 Ocotillo (CT) MINA HARIGAE
MARCH 2011
1-3 LPGA International--Champions (SCS) PAIGE MACKENZIE
7-9 Florida Women's Open (CT) ISABELLE BEISIEGEL
14-15 Encanterra (CT) JENNIFER JOHNSON
16-18 Terre Blanche Ladies Open (LETAS/GLT) HENRIETTA ZUEL
21-23 Palm Valley--Palms (CT) JOY TROTTER
25-27 Florida's Natural Charity Classic (FT) TZU-CHI LIN
28-30 Seville GC (CT) DINA AMMACCAPANE
29-31 Mission Inn Resort--El Campeon (SCS) RACHEL CONNOR
APRIL 2011
1-3 Daytona Beach Invitational (FT) HARUKYO NOMURA; Shanghai Classic (CLPGA) LI YING YE; Q-School [for foreign players] (CLPGA)
4-6 Wigwam Red (CT) STEPHANIE LOUDEN
5-7 Falcons Fire GC (SCS) NICOLE HAGE
8-10 Santorini Riviera Navarit Classic (FT) RYANN O'TOOLE
11-13 Seville (CT) JOY TROTTER
12-14 Rock Springs Ridge (SCS) CHELLA CHOI
13-15 La Nivelle Ladies Open (LETAS/GLT) ANNE-LISE CAUDAL
22-24 Yangzhou Challenge (CLPGA) PORANI CHUTICHAI
25-26 KLPGA Dream Tour #1 HYE NA JUNG
25-27 The Legacy (CT) JOY TROTTER
26-28 Harmony Golf Preserve (SCS) RENEE SKIDMORE
29-5/1 Symetra Classic (FT) LISA FERRERO
MAY 2011
2-4 Southern Dunes (CT) DINA AMMACCAPANE
3-5 Eastwood GC (SCS) LISA MELDRUM
9-11 Ocotillo (CT) KENDALL DYE
10-12 Stoneybrook East GC (SCS) MARIA HJORTH
11-12 KLPGA Dream Tour #2 HAE RIM KIM
16-18 Squamish Valley GC (CWT) JESSICA SHEPLEY
20-22 Beijing Renji Challenge (CLPGA) PORANI CHUTICHAI
27-29 Beijing Pearl Challenge (CLPGA) PATCHARAJUTAR KONGKRAPHAM
30-31 KLPGA Dream Tour #3 DA SOM LEE
JUNE 2011
2-3 Deodeo Cup (SUT) AOI NAGATA
3-5 Ladies Titan Tire Challenge (FT) KATHLEEN EKEY
7-8 KLPGA Dream Tour #4 AH RA KO
8-10 Forest Lake (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
10-12 Teva Championship (FT) LISA FERRERO; Yantai Yangmadao Challenge (CLPGA) TIAN HONG
13-14 KLPGA Dream Tour #5 RA SO
13-15 Club de Golf Beloeil (CWT) KATY HARRIS
16-19 Tate & Lyle Players Championship (FT) VALENTINE DERREY
24-26 Island Resort Championship (FT) STEPHANIE KIM; Caofeidian Wetlands Challenge (CLPGA) PATCHARAJUTAR KONGKRAPHAM
28-29 Blue Springs (CWT) JESSICA WALLACE [a]
30-7/2 South Shore Championship at White Hawk (FT) TIFFANY JOH
JULY 2011
5-7 Stoneybrook West (SCS) JACQUI CONCOLINO
7-8 ANA Princess Cup (SUT) HIKARI KAWAMITSU
12-14 LPGA International (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
13-14 KLPGA Dream Tour #6 SU-A KIM
15-17 ING New England Golf Classic (FT) BRITTANY JOHNSTON
18-20 Harmony Golf Preserve (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
22-24 The International at Concord (FT) JESSICA SHEPLEY
25-26 KLPGA Dream Tour #7 SUNG-WOON LEE
27-28 Castrol Ladies (SUT) CHIAKI TAKAHASHI
29-31 Alliance Bank Golf Classic (FT) KATHLEEN EKEY
AUGUST 2011
1-2 KLPGA Dream Tour #8 HAE RIM KIM
5-7 Pennsylvania Classic (FT) CATHRYN BRISTOW
8-9 KLPGA Dream Tour #9 HAE RIM KIM
8-10 Whirlwind (CT) KAYLA MORTELLARO
9-11 Orange County National (SCS) HAEJI KANG
12-14 Eagle Classic (FT) MO MARTIN
15-17 Ocotillo (CT) JUNTHIMA (NUMA) GULYANAMITTA
16-18 Falcon's Fire (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
22-23 KLPGA Dream Tour #10 HAE-JEE CHO
22-24 The Legacy (CT) JUNTHIMA (NUMA) GULYANAMITTA
26-28 Vidalia Championship (FT) SYDNEE MICHAELS
SEPTEMBER 2011
5-7 Southern Dunes (CT) JUNTHIMA (NUMA) GULYANAMITTA; Reunion Resort (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
7-8 KLPGA Dream Tour #11 SUN YOUNG AHN
9-11 Price Chopper Tour Championship (FT) SYDNEE MICHAELS
13-15 Reunion Resort (SCS) JACQUI CONCOLINO
16-18 Wenzhou Yangyi Challenge (CLPGA) YAN HONG PAN
17-18 Women's Cup Sanyou Newspapers (SUT) AOI NAGATA
19-21 Wigwam Red (CT) ALEJANDRA LLANEZA
20-22 Reunion Resort (SCS) CASSANDRA BLANEY
21-23 Swinging Skirts TLPGA Open (LAGT/TLPGA) YU LING HSIEH; Dinard Ladies Open (LETAS/GLT) JULIE MAISONGROSSE
23-25 Wuhan Challenge (CLPGA) PORANI CHUTICHAI
27-28 KLPGA Dream Tour #12 SO YEON PARK
27-29 Seville (CT) ALENA SHARP
OCTOBER 2011
3-5 Kokopelli (CT) JESSI GEBHARDT
6-7 KLPGA Dream Tour #13 DO-YEON KIM
12-13 KLPGA Dream Tour #14 MIN-JEE SONG
13-14 Aso GrandVrio Ladies Route Inn Cup (SUT) MINA NAKAYAMA
13-15 Trophee Preven's (LETAS) MARIEKE NIVARD
18-20 AZ Open (CT) JASI ACHARYA
18-20 Grand Pines (SCS) BENEDIKTE GROTVEDT
19-20 KLPGA Dream Tour #15 AH RA KO
21-23 Sanya Ladies Open (LAGT/CLPGA/LET) FRANCES BONDAD
24-26 Palm Valley--Palms (CT) THERESE KOELBAEK
25-27 Metrowest (SCS) JACQUI CONCOLINO
28-30 Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open (LAGT/CLPGA/LET) YA NI TSENG
NOVEMBER 2011
7-9 Ocotillo (CT) JENNIE LEE
14-16 Legacy (CT) CAMILLA LENNARTH
16-18 LPGA International (SCS) MITSUKI KATAHIRA
17-19 Murcia Ladies Open (LETAS) CARLOTA CIGANDA
21-23 LPGA International (SCS) REBECCA LEE-BENTHAM
DECEMBER 2011
2-4 Azores Ladies Open (LETAS) MARIEKE NIVARD
9-11 Hero Women's India Open (LAGT/LET) CAROLINE HEDWALL; TLPGA Swinging Skirts Invitational (TLPGA/CLPGA) YA NI TSENG
16-19 Hyundai China Ladies Open (CLPGA/KLPGA) HYE YOUN KIM
It'll be interesting to see if this year's trend of well-established and even big-time players competing and winning on these developmental and mini-tours (often due to events being co-sponsored with major tours, but not always) will continue in 2012. And given how many of this year's graduates from these tours have already made waves in the big leagues--think O'Toole, LaCrosse, and Joh on the LPGA and Nomura on the JLPGA--it'll be interesting to see who among them steps up their games even further next season.
DECEMBER 2010
2-3 St. Georges Basin Country Club Pro-Am (ALPG) JOANNE MILLS
17-19: Hyundai China Ladies Open (CLPGA/KLPGA) HYE YOUN KIM
JANUARY 2011
6-8 Royal Open (TLPGA) MI RIM LEE
8-9 Xstrata Coal Branxton Golf Club Pro-Am (ALPG) RACHEL BAILEY
12 NRE Gujarat Russell Vale Challenge Cup (ALPG) RYANN O'TOOLE
13-14 Moss Vale Golf Club Classic (ALPG) KATHERINE HULL
14-16 Taifong Ladies Open (TLPGA) YA NI TSENG
16-17 Mount Broughton Classic (ALPG) KATHERINE HULL
18-20 Orange Tree Country Club (SCS) CINDY LACROSSE
21-23 Bing Lee Samsung NSW Women's Open (ALPG) CAROLINE HEDWALL; Hitachi Classic (TLPGA) PORNANONG PHATLUM
24-26 West Orange Country Club (SCS) LAURA DIAZ
28-30 ActewAGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic (ALPG) ASHLEY ONA [a]
31-2/2 The Legacy (CT) MINDY KIM
FEBRUARY 2011
1-3 Red Tail Country Club (SCS) MOIRA DUNN
3-6 Women's Australian Open (ALPG/LET) YA NI TSENG
7-9 Papago (CT) JULIE YANG [a]
8-10 Magnolia Plantation (SCS) CHELLA CHOI
9-11 Thailand Ladies Open (LAGT) TANAPORN KONGKRIATKRAI
10-13 ANZ RACV Ladies Masters (ALPG/LET) YA NI TSENG
14-16 Wigwam Red (CT) ALENA SHARP
15-17 Mission Inn Resort--Las Colinas (SCS) HYUN-JI KIM
17-20 Pegasus New Zealand Women's Open (ALPG/LET) KRISTIE SMITH
22-24 CC of Mount Dora (SCS) KRIS TAMULIS
24 Lady Anne Funerals Ryde Parramatta Pro-Am (ALPG) SARAH KEMP
24-26 Yumeya Championship (LAGT) SAKURA YOKOMINE
28-3/2 Ocotillo (CT) MINA HARIGAE
MARCH 2011
1-3 LPGA International--Champions (SCS) PAIGE MACKENZIE
7-9 Florida Women's Open (CT) ISABELLE BEISIEGEL
14-15 Encanterra (CT) JENNIFER JOHNSON
16-18 Terre Blanche Ladies Open (LETAS/GLT) HENRIETTA ZUEL
21-23 Palm Valley--Palms (CT) JOY TROTTER
25-27 Florida's Natural Charity Classic (FT) TZU-CHI LIN
28-30 Seville GC (CT) DINA AMMACCAPANE
29-31 Mission Inn Resort--El Campeon (SCS) RACHEL CONNOR
APRIL 2011
1-3 Daytona Beach Invitational (FT) HARUKYO NOMURA; Shanghai Classic (CLPGA) LI YING YE; Q-School [for foreign players] (CLPGA)
4-6 Wigwam Red (CT) STEPHANIE LOUDEN
5-7 Falcons Fire GC (SCS) NICOLE HAGE
8-10 Santorini Riviera Navarit Classic (FT) RYANN O'TOOLE
11-13 Seville (CT) JOY TROTTER
12-14 Rock Springs Ridge (SCS) CHELLA CHOI
13-15 La Nivelle Ladies Open (LETAS/GLT) ANNE-LISE CAUDAL
22-24 Yangzhou Challenge (CLPGA) PORANI CHUTICHAI
25-26 KLPGA Dream Tour #1 HYE NA JUNG
25-27 The Legacy (CT) JOY TROTTER
26-28 Harmony Golf Preserve (SCS) RENEE SKIDMORE
29-5/1 Symetra Classic (FT) LISA FERRERO
MAY 2011
2-4 Southern Dunes (CT) DINA AMMACCAPANE
3-5 Eastwood GC (SCS) LISA MELDRUM
9-11 Ocotillo (CT) KENDALL DYE
10-12 Stoneybrook East GC (SCS) MARIA HJORTH
11-12 KLPGA Dream Tour #2 HAE RIM KIM
16-18 Squamish Valley GC (CWT) JESSICA SHEPLEY
20-22 Beijing Renji Challenge (CLPGA) PORANI CHUTICHAI
27-29 Beijing Pearl Challenge (CLPGA) PATCHARAJUTAR KONGKRAPHAM
30-31 KLPGA Dream Tour #3 DA SOM LEE
JUNE 2011
2-3 Deodeo Cup (SUT) AOI NAGATA
3-5 Ladies Titan Tire Challenge (FT) KATHLEEN EKEY
7-8 KLPGA Dream Tour #4 AH RA KO
8-10 Forest Lake (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
10-12 Teva Championship (FT) LISA FERRERO; Yantai Yangmadao Challenge (CLPGA) TIAN HONG
13-14 KLPGA Dream Tour #5 RA SO
13-15 Club de Golf Beloeil (CWT) KATY HARRIS
16-19 Tate & Lyle Players Championship (FT) VALENTINE DERREY
24-26 Island Resort Championship (FT) STEPHANIE KIM; Caofeidian Wetlands Challenge (CLPGA) PATCHARAJUTAR KONGKRAPHAM
28-29 Blue Springs (CWT) JESSICA WALLACE [a]
30-7/2 South Shore Championship at White Hawk (FT) TIFFANY JOH
JULY 2011
5-7 Stoneybrook West (SCS) JACQUI CONCOLINO
7-8 ANA Princess Cup (SUT) HIKARI KAWAMITSU
12-14 LPGA International (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
13-14 KLPGA Dream Tour #6 SU-A KIM
15-17 ING New England Golf Classic (FT) BRITTANY JOHNSTON
18-20 Harmony Golf Preserve (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
22-24 The International at Concord (FT) JESSICA SHEPLEY
25-26 KLPGA Dream Tour #7 SUNG-WOON LEE
27-28 Castrol Ladies (SUT) CHIAKI TAKAHASHI
29-31 Alliance Bank Golf Classic (FT) KATHLEEN EKEY
AUGUST 2011
1-2 KLPGA Dream Tour #8 HAE RIM KIM
5-7 Pennsylvania Classic (FT) CATHRYN BRISTOW
8-9 KLPGA Dream Tour #9 HAE RIM KIM
8-10 Whirlwind (CT) KAYLA MORTELLARO
9-11 Orange County National (SCS) HAEJI KANG
12-14 Eagle Classic (FT) MO MARTIN
15-17 Ocotillo (CT) JUNTHIMA (NUMA) GULYANAMITTA
16-18 Falcon's Fire (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
22-23 KLPGA Dream Tour #10 HAE-JEE CHO
22-24 The Legacy (CT) JUNTHIMA (NUMA) GULYANAMITTA
26-28 Vidalia Championship (FT) SYDNEE MICHAELS
SEPTEMBER 2011
5-7 Southern Dunes (CT) JUNTHIMA (NUMA) GULYANAMITTA; Reunion Resort (SCS) GINGER HOWARD
7-8 KLPGA Dream Tour #11 SUN YOUNG AHN
9-11 Price Chopper Tour Championship (FT) SYDNEE MICHAELS
13-15 Reunion Resort (SCS) JACQUI CONCOLINO
16-18 Wenzhou Yangyi Challenge (CLPGA) YAN HONG PAN
17-18 Women's Cup Sanyou Newspapers (SUT) AOI NAGATA
19-21 Wigwam Red (CT) ALEJANDRA LLANEZA
20-22 Reunion Resort (SCS) CASSANDRA BLANEY
21-23 Swinging Skirts TLPGA Open (LAGT/TLPGA) YU LING HSIEH; Dinard Ladies Open (LETAS/GLT) JULIE MAISONGROSSE
23-25 Wuhan Challenge (CLPGA) PORANI CHUTICHAI
27-28 KLPGA Dream Tour #12 SO YEON PARK
27-29 Seville (CT) ALENA SHARP
OCTOBER 2011
3-5 Kokopelli (CT) JESSI GEBHARDT
6-7 KLPGA Dream Tour #13 DO-YEON KIM
12-13 KLPGA Dream Tour #14 MIN-JEE SONG
13-14 Aso GrandVrio Ladies Route Inn Cup (SUT) MINA NAKAYAMA
13-15 Trophee Preven's (LETAS) MARIEKE NIVARD
18-20 AZ Open (CT) JASI ACHARYA
18-20 Grand Pines (SCS) BENEDIKTE GROTVEDT
19-20 KLPGA Dream Tour #15 AH RA KO
21-23 Sanya Ladies Open (LAGT/CLPGA/LET) FRANCES BONDAD
24-26 Palm Valley--Palms (CT) THERESE KOELBAEK
25-27 Metrowest (SCS) JACQUI CONCOLINO
28-30 Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open (LAGT/CLPGA/LET) YA NI TSENG
NOVEMBER 2011
7-9 Ocotillo (CT) JENNIE LEE
14-16 Legacy (CT) CAMILLA LENNARTH
16-18 LPGA International (SCS) MITSUKI KATAHIRA
17-19 Murcia Ladies Open (LETAS) CARLOTA CIGANDA
21-23 LPGA International (SCS) REBECCA LEE-BENTHAM
DECEMBER 2011
2-4 Azores Ladies Open (LETAS) MARIEKE NIVARD
9-11 Hero Women's India Open (LAGT/LET) CAROLINE HEDWALL; TLPGA Swinging Skirts Invitational (TLPGA/CLPGA) YA NI TSENG
16-19 Hyundai China Ladies Open (CLPGA/KLPGA) HYE YOUN KIM
Monday, December 19, 2011
Were My Pre-Season Questions Answered?
Way back in February, before the LPGA season began, I listed 10 questions that I hoped would be answered this year.
Below I asked those same questions again. Let us see whether or not they were answered.
1- Is Paula Creamer finally healthy and ready to return to her 2008 form, which brought her 4 victories?
Under normal circumstances, if an elite player like Paula goes an entire year without a victory, I wouldn't call it a success. However, in this instance, I have to make an exception. Because of her thumb surgery, she is just now starting to get back some of her length off the tee. She will be working with a strength coach this off season, to address that situation. Paula did have two 2nd-place finishes, seven top fives, and 10 top tens. She started the year #11 in the Rolex Ranking, and finished at #5. Yes, she is now ready to get back to her earlier form.
2- Can Michelle Wie climb to the next level, while taking exams?
Michelle failed to climb to the next level in 2011. She dropped from #10 to #17 in the Rolex Rankings. She will be an early graduate from Stanford in February. No more running back to her hotel room to study or mail in her exams. Hopefully she will now have the time to straighten out her putting woes. If she does, watch out!
3- Was Azahara Munoz really the best 2010 rookie? Was she even the best Spaniard?
After a horrible first half of the 2011 season, Azahara turned it completely around, finishing in the top 20 in 4 consecutive tournaments. Her back-to-back top 3 finishes in Asia really capped off her season. The answer to the above questions: Yes and Yes.
4- How many times will Suzann Petterson be a bridesmaid, before winning again?
The answer turned out to be Zero. Suzann quieted all critics by winning the Sybase Match Play Championship in May. She later followed that up by winning the Safeway Classic. She moved up to #2 in the world rankings, and did not have a single 2nd-place finish all year.
5- Will the Miyazatos join the Kims with 2 players in the top 10 of the world rankings?
No. Mika Miyazato looked so good in 2010, as she stormed to #22 position, never really got hot this year and dropped to #24. Meanwhile, Ai barely hung on to her top-10 position, dropping from #6 to #9. As far as the Kims are concerned, they no longer have 2 players in the top ten, either, as Song-Hee dropped from #9 to #29.
6- Is Lexi Thompson ready to compete with the girls at age 16.
This one is a resounding Yes! Lexi sure made believers out of anyone who may have had doubts, when she won the Navistar Classic by 5 strokes. The victory made her the youngest winner in LPGA history. She has now followed that up with a victory at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, making her the youngest professional to win on the LET.
Granted full-time membership by commissioner Michael Whan, she will be teeing it up regularly in 2012. Rookie of the Year in 2012? Maybe. Solheim Cup member in 2013? Definitely. It is hard not to get excited about this girl's future.
7- Will the number one player in the world change on a weekly basis, or will someone step up and dominate?
If you don't know the answer to this question, I guess you must have spent the last year on Mars.
8- Will Song-Hee Kim reach 50 top tens (she has 34), before she actually wins?
Maybe a better question would have been, will she ever get another top 10? Song-Hee's 2011 season was already summarized in question #5.
9- Can the United States retain the Solheim Cup for the 4th consecutive time, on the road in Ireland?
We all know the answer turned out to be No, and I still haven't gotten over it. 2013 can't come soon enough.
10- With all the efforts these girls are making on and off the golf course, will they finally be rewarded with more tournaments in 2012?
The LPGA schedule has not been released as of this writing, but it seems slow progress is being made. The ladies played 23 official tournaments in 2011. We know that in 2012 they have lost the State Farm Classic. We also know that the Jamie Farr Classic will return to the schedule. Add to that new tournaments in Australia and Waterloo, Canada, and we should be up to at least 25. More tournaments in the United States would be nice, but as the old saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Maybe Michael Whan still has some surprises for us. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Sometime early next year, I will be listing the top 10 questions I would like to be answered in 2012.
Rolex Rankings Mover of the Week:
Lexi Thompson's win in Dubai moves her from #53 to #38.
Follow @tonyjesselli
Tweet
Below I asked those same questions again. Let us see whether or not they were answered.
1- Is Paula Creamer finally healthy and ready to return to her 2008 form, which brought her 4 victories?
Under normal circumstances, if an elite player like Paula goes an entire year without a victory, I wouldn't call it a success. However, in this instance, I have to make an exception. Because of her thumb surgery, she is just now starting to get back some of her length off the tee. She will be working with a strength coach this off season, to address that situation. Paula did have two 2nd-place finishes, seven top fives, and 10 top tens. She started the year #11 in the Rolex Ranking, and finished at #5. Yes, she is now ready to get back to her earlier form.
2- Can Michelle Wie climb to the next level, while taking exams?
Michelle failed to climb to the next level in 2011. She dropped from #10 to #17 in the Rolex Rankings. She will be an early graduate from Stanford in February. No more running back to her hotel room to study or mail in her exams. Hopefully she will now have the time to straighten out her putting woes. If she does, watch out!
3- Was Azahara Munoz really the best 2010 rookie? Was she even the best Spaniard?
After a horrible first half of the 2011 season, Azahara turned it completely around, finishing in the top 20 in 4 consecutive tournaments. Her back-to-back top 3 finishes in Asia really capped off her season. The answer to the above questions: Yes and Yes.
4- How many times will Suzann Petterson be a bridesmaid, before winning again?
The answer turned out to be Zero. Suzann quieted all critics by winning the Sybase Match Play Championship in May. She later followed that up by winning the Safeway Classic. She moved up to #2 in the world rankings, and did not have a single 2nd-place finish all year.
5- Will the Miyazatos join the Kims with 2 players in the top 10 of the world rankings?
No. Mika Miyazato looked so good in 2010, as she stormed to #22 position, never really got hot this year and dropped to #24. Meanwhile, Ai barely hung on to her top-10 position, dropping from #6 to #9. As far as the Kims are concerned, they no longer have 2 players in the top ten, either, as Song-Hee dropped from #9 to #29.
6- Is Lexi Thompson ready to compete with the girls at age 16.
This one is a resounding Yes! Lexi sure made believers out of anyone who may have had doubts, when she won the Navistar Classic by 5 strokes. The victory made her the youngest winner in LPGA history. She has now followed that up with a victory at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, making her the youngest professional to win on the LET.
Granted full-time membership by commissioner Michael Whan, she will be teeing it up regularly in 2012. Rookie of the Year in 2012? Maybe. Solheim Cup member in 2013? Definitely. It is hard not to get excited about this girl's future.
7- Will the number one player in the world change on a weekly basis, or will someone step up and dominate?
If you don't know the answer to this question, I guess you must have spent the last year on Mars.
8- Will Song-Hee Kim reach 50 top tens (she has 34), before she actually wins?
Maybe a better question would have been, will she ever get another top 10? Song-Hee's 2011 season was already summarized in question #5.
9- Can the United States retain the Solheim Cup for the 4th consecutive time, on the road in Ireland?
We all know the answer turned out to be No, and I still haven't gotten over it. 2013 can't come soon enough.
10- With all the efforts these girls are making on and off the golf course, will they finally be rewarded with more tournaments in 2012?
The LPGA schedule has not been released as of this writing, but it seems slow progress is being made. The ladies played 23 official tournaments in 2011. We know that in 2012 they have lost the State Farm Classic. We also know that the Jamie Farr Classic will return to the schedule. Add to that new tournaments in Australia and Waterloo, Canada, and we should be up to at least 25. More tournaments in the United States would be nice, but as the old saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Maybe Michael Whan still has some surprises for us. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Sometime early next year, I will be listing the top 10 questions I would like to be answered in 2012.
Rolex Rankings Mover of the Week:
Lexi Thompson's win in Dubai moves her from #53 to #38.
Follow @tonyjesselli
Tweet
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Recommended Reading: Dave Andrews on Hannah Yun
Dave Andrews not only knows Hannah Yun's golf career like the back of his hand, he also carried her bag at Q-School. Check out his reporting of both stories at Into the Grain. He gets in a lot more personal background in this follow-up post. Both are well worth a read!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)