While there are two big tournaments taking place in the US, there is also plenty of action taking place around the world, with big time implications for majors and world rankings. Have clubs, will travel.
European Tour: Irish Open
- The Irish Open will likely be worth more World Rankings points than the AT&T Byron Nelson, as Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler headline a pretty stellar field. Padraig Harrington barely missed out on qualifying for the US Open this week, so a victory will put him in great position based on his world ranking. Byeong Hun An is coming off of his victory at the BMW PGA, the signature event on the European Tour. He has locked up invitations to the US and British Opens, so this week will be a test to see how he backs up his victory. Miguel Angel Jimemez has had a great season, with the only thing he is missing being a victory.
Japan Tour: Mizuno Open
- The Open Championship Series heads to Japan this week, as the top four finishers not already qualified will receive invitations to the Open Championship. We are five events into the season, and a player from Japan picked up their first victory just last week. In fact, it has been an odd season so far, with players such as Koumei Oda, Hiroshi Iwata, and Shingo Katayama, all coming off of a great 2014 season, having a rough start. Masahiro Kawamura is having a good season on both the Japan and Asian Tours, and he is coming off a successful qualification for the US Open. So, too, are veterans Hiroyuki Fujita and Wenchong Liang. Former PGA Champion YE Yang, who is having a pretty good 2015 thus far, will be playing in his first Japan Tour event of the season in hopes to making it back to the Open. Chinese golfer Ashun Wu has a victory on the European Tour, but has not had a good Japan Tour season thus far. 68 year old Masashi Ozaki shot his age in his most recent Japan Tour event.
KLPGA: E1 Charity Open
- Two big returns happening this week, as Shin Ae Ahn, who is considered the most fashionable golfer on Tour, and Ha Neul Kim are playing this week. Ahn is a Korean tabloid sensation thanks to her relatiosnhip (?) with K-Pop singer Yoo Chun Park. Ahn had four top 10's last season. Kim has had a pretty bad season on the JLPGA Tour, so her return to Korea is seen as a possible permanent move to some. Kim at one point was the best player on the KLPGA.
JLPGA: Resort Trust Ladies
- The story has been Erika Kikuchi, who has a win and six top 10 finishes this season. Her missed in her last event was her first of the season. Kikuchi could get herself in position to qualify for some majors with another victory. Teresa Lu is qualified for the US Women's Open, so any starts she makes between now and then will be a warm up for her.
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