Monday, October 13, 2014

Shanshan Sizzles In Malaysia

- The winner of the Sime Darby was going to have to go under par on Sunday to win, but no one could have predicted just how low. Shanshan Feng's final round 63 is among the most clutch rounds we have seen this season. She shot a 30 on the back nine, including an eagle on the 16th hole that completely slammed the door shut. With this victory, Feng will move to 5th on the Rolex Rankings, above players like Lexi Thompson, So Yeon Ryu, and Karrie Webb. She always seems to be somewhat forgotten about, but this is her fourth win in three seasons, and now has her eyes on the Rolex Rankings.

- Coming down the stretch on Sunday, you can tell which players have won before and which are still seeking their first victory. Shanshan Feng looked cool and calm, draining birdies like it was the easiest thing in the world. Pornanong Phatlum looked stiff. Even with a large lead heading into Sunday, she still needed to shoot a round somewhere in the mid-60's, and she couldn't do it. It's a rough loss for somebody who deserves a victory as much as anyone, but hopefully being out-dueled down the stretch will give Phatlum something to work towards, and she'll bounce back.

- Who had the best week this week? It was probably Inbee Park. While she was at home preparing for her wedding, two players had an opportunity to either jump Inbee or completely end her chances of winning Player of the Year. The first was Stacy Lewis, who jumped out to the lead on Thursday with a 65, but struggled the rest of the week and ended up T21. With Lewis struggling and Park not playing, Lydia Ko had the chance to jump them both and take over as Rolex Number One, but was unable to do so following weekend rounds of 70-70. Now, the newly wed Park will head into the HanaBank Championship with an opportunity to close the gap on Lewis.

- For only the second time in seven weeks, a Korean was unable to win on the LPGA Tour, but Sang-Moon Bae gave them a reason to celebrate on Sunday. After Bae's brilliant first three rounds at the Frys.com Open, Bae held on to win on Sunday for his second PGA Tour victory. This gives Bae his second victory in two years (three seasons), and it makes me wonder if Bae is ready to break out and become the next great Asian superstar. At 28 and a whole lot of experience behind him, I wouldn't bet against it. Of course, he will have to battle it out with Hideki Matsuyama, who struggled early in the final round but rebounded to finish T3.

- Sang-Moon Bae is now your FedEx Cup leader! What a weird sentence to type. No disrespect to Bae, but I doubt we're going to have another season where the winner of the first event holds on to the FedEx Cup lead until late in the season. It is important to note, however, that Bae was the last man into the Playoffs last year, jumping from 126 to 124 after the final tournament of the regular season, and his victory this week almost assures him a return trip. So, while these early events may not mean much to the viewers, it means a lot to some of the players who were clawing at the Playoffs last year.

- It was good to see Steven Bowditch finish in second place. Bowditch was one of the unlikely winners last year when the PGA Tour experienced a run where the big name players were unable to capture victories. Bowditch struggled from that point on, so to see him come out of the gate this year with a big week almost validates him. Though, I'm sure, Bowditch will be looking for more than just some top finishes. He wants to win again.

- Will Retief Goosen ever win again? I think that, not only will he win again, but he will do so this year. Goosen had a great 2013-2014 season, where he met the terms of his medical exemption and made the Playoffs, and he picks up where he left off, tying for third with Ryder Cupper Hunter Mahan, Martin Laird, and Bryce Molder. It was a big week for all of those players, but none more so than Goosen, who isn't the major winner we saw ten years ago, but looks to be coming back into some kind of form. I would love to see Goosen win a tournament before the Masters so he can play at Augusta once again.

- While the LPGA pros were battling in Malaysia, Hyo Joo Kim outdueled Ha Neul Kim to win her fifth worldwide tournament, and fourth KLPGA event this season. A few writers wondered if Kim was in for a letdown following her victory at the Evian Championship, but she picked up right where she left off, and now has all but secured that tour's money list and Player Of The Year awards. She's also now inside the top 10 in the Rolex Rankings, and heads into the HanaBank this week for a chance to win her second LPGA title. Oh, and she's 19.

- Ian Woosnam won the Dutch Senior Open this week on the European Senior Tour. I'm not usually one to write about the European Senior Tour, but Woosnam's victory is significant because it is his first victory anywhere since 2011, and it appears as if a few lessons from a swing coach has given him a new bout of confidence. Following his win, Woosnam said "Look out Rory. He may have to start thinking about me again once we get to next year's Masters." While I seriously doubt Woosnam can win another green jacket at age 54, he did come close to making the cut last year, so perhaps Woosnam can turn back the clock and play on Sunday at Augusta.  

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