The second major of the LPGA season takes place this week, and much like the first major of the year, there are plenty of chances this year. Not only is it a brand new name (The PGA of America have taken over the tournament), but we're at a new course. It's going to be interesting to see if this leads to more or less interest in this tournament.
I will do as I normally do - pick some dark horse candidates, some contenders, and ultimately a champion, but I feel as if it is important to list a few big name players and talk about their chances to win the Women's PGA Championship.
Stacy Lewis - Has gotten progressively worse since her second place finish at the ANA Inspiration, including a T51 a couple weeks ago and a missed cut last week. Everyone goes through rough patches, including the current number one in the world, but I have a suspicion that all those near misses took a toll on Lewis. Besides, this is not a place to drive it erratically, and that has been Lewis' issue lately. She'll get back to her winning ways, but she's going to go through a bit of a slump before that happens.
Lydia Ko - Speaking of the World Number One, she's finished outside the top 10 in four of the last five events, with two of them being very low finishes. The fifth event, however, was a victory at the Swinging Skirts. This isn't to say that Lydia has NO shot, but I feel her best shot to win her first major isn't going to be coming in with consistency issues. She'll get back on track very soon, but for right now, I don't like her chances this week.
Michelle Wie - Looked to be on track to be the next best American, but injuries and a fade from form have made her US Open victory look like a distant memory. She needs to start stringing four rounds together before she can be considered a contender again.
Alright, with those out of the way, let's take a look at who I'm looking out for this week.
Dark Horse:
Charley Hull - Just seems to arrive in clutch moments, and seeing as she's currently on the outside looking in on the Solheim Cup team, this would be a perfect moment for her to show up. She is coming off a T11 last week, so it's not like she has been performing terribly this season. She isn't lengthy off the tee, but she can make up for it with her short game, and won't be intimidated by the stage.
Contenders:
5) Minjee Lee - Starting to turn over great results on a week to week basis, much as we expected from the former top amateur. T4 two tournaments after picking up her maiden victory on the LPGA Tour. Seeing as this is the first time anyone is seeing this course, she doesn't have to worry about being taken over by more experienced players. Her talent should put her in contention coming down the stretch.
4) Suzann Pettersen - Gets the number four spot only because she could finish anywhere on the leaderboard. If she plays like the Suzann of most of 2015, she won't be a factor. If she plays like she did last week, she could very well win this. Long and straight off the tee will be a huge benefit, so if Pettersen keeps the ball in play this week, she will be one of the players to chase.
3) Anna Nordqvist - Made me a believer two weeks ago and made me even more of a believer when I found out her birthday is this week. Extra motivation seems to suit Nordqvist, who has a major already on her resume. She can hit it out there a ways, so her test will be keeping it in play. She does that, and her name will be near to top of the leaderboard on Sunday.
2) Hyo-Joo Kim - The only knock I have on HJK is her inability to close on Sunday. Were she to gain just a little more confidence coming down the stretch, she may be unstoppable. From a purely statistically standpoint, she doesn't seem to have many weaknesses, and if she doesn't finish in the top 10, she's a shot or two outside that number each and every week. May be the most under rated superstar on the LPGA Tour right now, and that could change if she starts raking in majors.
Champion:
Inbee Park - Lydia Ko may be number one in the rankings, but Inbee Park is the best women's golfer on the planet right now. Two wins this season, contends every week, and has back to back LPGA Championships entering into this week. Somehow, despite this pedigree, the spotlight remains off of Inbee, so she doesn't not have to worry about pressure. This is a perfect position for Inbee, and not only do I think she walks away with this tournament, I don't think there's much drama coming down the stretch.
Winner: Inbee Park
Final Score: -8
Margin Of Victory: Four Strokes
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Wednesday Preview - FedEx St. Jude Classic
We are one week away from the US Open, so you're going to have to forgive me (and the rest of the golfing world) if we don't sound too excited about this week's PGA Tour event. The event benefits the St. Jude Hospital, an incredibly worthy cause, and has been going strong for many years despite being put in a terrible part of the schedule. I'll still be watching, even if my thoughts are elsewhere.
Course: TPC Southwind, measuring at 7,200 yards. This is not an easy golf course, and if the wind picks up, it can be a complete bear. If someone cracks ten under, they will likely win.
Strength Of Field: D-. Sorry, Lefty, but you're not enough to keep this from being a pretty weak field. Can't be too surprised - most are gearing up for the US Open next week or are gassed from playing in a qualifier on Monday.
Extra Tidbits: Among those playing this week who also completed 36 holes and qualified for the US Open on Monday are Luke Donald and Retief Goosen...No player has ever won the week before the US Open and gone on to win the major the following week. Phil Mickelson, however, has won the week prior to The Masters and The Open Championship and gone on to win those majors...only six of the first 22 winners in 2015 have come from outside the top 70 in the OWGR. This includes Alex Cejka, who won an opposite field event, and Padraig Harrington, a former major champion...Last year, Ben Crane held on to win despite not carding a birdie in the final round...In the last 10 years, only one player was younger than 27 when they won the FedEx St. Jude Classic (Harris English). Dustin Johnson was the only other 20-something to win.
Course: TPC Southwind, measuring at 7,200 yards. This is not an easy golf course, and if the wind picks up, it can be a complete bear. If someone cracks ten under, they will likely win.
Strength Of Field: D-. Sorry, Lefty, but you're not enough to keep this from being a pretty weak field. Can't be too surprised - most are gearing up for the US Open next week or are gassed from playing in a qualifier on Monday.
Extra Tidbits: Among those playing this week who also completed 36 holes and qualified for the US Open on Monday are Luke Donald and Retief Goosen...No player has ever won the week before the US Open and gone on to win the major the following week. Phil Mickelson, however, has won the week prior to The Masters and The Open Championship and gone on to win those majors...only six of the first 22 winners in 2015 have come from outside the top 70 in the OWGR. This includes Alex Cejka, who won an opposite field event, and Padraig Harrington, a former major champion...Last year, Ben Crane held on to win despite not carding a birdie in the final round...In the last 10 years, only one player was younger than 27 when they won the FedEx St. Jude Classic (Harris English). Dustin Johnson was the only other 20-something to win.
Fantasy Four:
Phil Mickelson - Weak field, the week before a major, on a track he's played before. Anyone who knows the game of golf will tell you that recent form means nothing to Lefty, as he will contend seemingly out of nowhere. I expect this to be one of those weeks.
Jason Bohn - Having a great season but is desperately looking for career win number 3. Has played well at this event before, and the course sets up to his skill sets. Last week broke a string of top 10's for Bohn, and he's only missed four cuts all season.
Rod Pampling - Sleeper pick. I felt better about this before he blew a chance to play in the US Open by fading down the stretch. Regardless, he has played well all over the world, including a T22 at the Byron Nelson a couple weeks ago.
Retief Goosen - Really hit and miss with Goosen this season, but he is playing at an event and a course where he has had success. Qualified for the US Open on Monday, so he may be a combination of tired and excited. This course rewards experience.
Last Weeks Team:
Kevin Na: T13
Rickie Fowler: CUT
Tiger Woods: 71
Matt Kuchar: T26
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Top Five Open Qualifiers Who Could Contend At Chambers Bay
Sectional qualifying for the US Open wrapped up yesterday, and the field is now complete, baring a late exemption by the USGA. Sometimes, the sectional qualifiers for the US Open are filled with complete nobodies who are just happy to be participating, and sometimes they are filled with big names who can make a run at the tournament. Below, I have listed to top 5 players I think could make a run at the tournament come the end of the week.
5) Alex Noren:
- Was probably not going to make this list had it not been for his victory last week. There are a few guys I am keeping an eye out for from that England qualifier, but Noren is peeking at the moment. He hasn't missed a cut all season, and his victory last week was his third straight top 25 finish. He is also one of the most experienced in the field having played in majors before, and even finishing in the top 10 at the Open Championship three years ago. He's healthy and playing well, so don't be surprised to see his name pop up on the leaderboard.
4) Danny Lee:
- The Columbus sectional is filled with players that could play well into the weekend, but I don't think any of them will be as prepared as Danny Lee, who has played an enormous amount of golf this season. Luckily, he is taking the week off in Memphis to rest up for the US Open, but he will be ready to go. Last week's missed cut was his first since The Players Championship, and he has seven top 25 finishes this season, including two top 10's in the past four weeks. Danny will be looking to excite people in his first US Open, and I think he'll do it.
3) Retief Goosen:
- Hit and miss season for Goosen, but he is arguably the most experienced player to qualify for this event. He won the US Open twice, and is healthy again after a few seasons battling injuries. Unlike a lot of qualifiers, Goosen won't just be happy being in the field - his goal is to contend.
2) Wen Chong Liang:
- SPOILER ALERT: He may make my complete rundown of the event next week. Liang won the qualifier in Japan and proceeded to win on the Japan Tour two weeks later. I think Chambers Bay is going to be good for the Asian participants, and Liang will not be intimidated by the stage, as he has competed in majors before. He is one of the biggest hitters in Asia, so the course should set up for his game. I am really bullish on Liang's chances.
1) Luke Donald:
- Has to be. While Donald has not performed well in the past two seasons, he is the biggest name of those who qualified. The concern will be the length of the course, as Donald is not a big hitter, but his ball striking should more than make up for it. Never count out Luke Donald, even if he isn't having a good season.
5) Alex Noren:
- Was probably not going to make this list had it not been for his victory last week. There are a few guys I am keeping an eye out for from that England qualifier, but Noren is peeking at the moment. He hasn't missed a cut all season, and his victory last week was his third straight top 25 finish. He is also one of the most experienced in the field having played in majors before, and even finishing in the top 10 at the Open Championship three years ago. He's healthy and playing well, so don't be surprised to see his name pop up on the leaderboard.
4) Danny Lee:
- The Columbus sectional is filled with players that could play well into the weekend, but I don't think any of them will be as prepared as Danny Lee, who has played an enormous amount of golf this season. Luckily, he is taking the week off in Memphis to rest up for the US Open, but he will be ready to go. Last week's missed cut was his first since The Players Championship, and he has seven top 25 finishes this season, including two top 10's in the past four weeks. Danny will be looking to excite people in his first US Open, and I think he'll do it.
3) Retief Goosen:
- Hit and miss season for Goosen, but he is arguably the most experienced player to qualify for this event. He won the US Open twice, and is healthy again after a few seasons battling injuries. Unlike a lot of qualifiers, Goosen won't just be happy being in the field - his goal is to contend.
2) Wen Chong Liang:
- SPOILER ALERT: He may make my complete rundown of the event next week. Liang won the qualifier in Japan and proceeded to win on the Japan Tour two weeks later. I think Chambers Bay is going to be good for the Asian participants, and Liang will not be intimidated by the stage, as he has competed in majors before. He is one of the biggest hitters in Asia, so the course should set up for his game. I am really bullish on Liang's chances.
1) Luke Donald:
- Has to be. While Donald has not performed well in the past two seasons, he is the biggest name of those who qualified. The concern will be the length of the course, as Donald is not a big hitter, but his ball striking should more than make up for it. Never count out Luke Donald, even if he isn't having a good season.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Pettersen Returns To Her Winning Ways
- It's been almost two years, but Suzann Pettersen is back as a champion on the LPGA Tour. This was one that Pettersen was really pushing for, as she was once a member of a "Big Three" before injuries dropped her all the way to 10th in the world. Pettersen is the first European not named Anna Nordqvist to win on the LPGA Tour in two years, and is just in time for the season's second major and, perhaps most importantly for her, the Solheim Cup.
- Dear LPGA - find harder courses. When ten under par is only good enough for a tie for 27th place, the course is too easy. Birdie or bust tournaments take me right out of it, because I feel as if there is no drama. The leader will likely birdie the 18th. If you want a great ending, make it so someone has to scramble for par.
- The Manulife LPGA Classic was an interesting event, but honestly, it's going to get lost in the shuffle as the Women's PGA Championship is this week. Some players, such as Minjee Lee and Hyo Joo Kim, have established themselves as great rookies that could be major contenders, while Brittany Lang and So Yeon Ryu are among some veterans that popped back up this week that we can not forget about entering the major. So, we move on.
- This has been one of the best PGA Tour seasons in a long time, thanks to the finishes to tournaments and the champions that have been crowned. The Memorial was a great tournament with a fantastic ending, but the champion is a complete unknown. The only thing I knew about David Lingmerth was that he came in second place to Tiger Woods a couple years ago at The Players as a rookie. Other than that, he is an unknown to me and most people in the world. Perhaps this was the first of many victories he notches on his way to a great career, or perhaps he will be forgotten about as a one victory golfer. Only time will tell.
- I'm sure Justin Rose is disappointed he did not win, but he also has to feel good that his game is back to a level where he is competing on an almost weekly basis. Entering this season, Rose was completely lost. Now he seems to be peaking right in time for the US Open. He'll bounce back, and probably in a huge way.
- Jordan Spieth continues to be Jordan Spieth. Consider him among the list of favorites to win his second consecutive major. The player that I really want to see win soon is Hideki Matsuyama. The man is notching top 10's almost every week, but he seems stuck on one victory. It has only been a year, and he is really young, but I hope he doesn't have a drought where his second win is harder and harder to notch. He is such a great player who could be one of the best if he finds a way to close.
- I honestly can't add anything more to the Tiger Woods discussion. His third round 85 was atrocious, but I don't know if that means his career is over or not. I don't think anyone truly knows that answer. It looks REALLY bad, though.
- Two weeks, two invitations into major championships. One week after being a medalist for the US Open qualifier in Japan, Wen-Chong Liang won the JGT Championship Shishido Hills by five strokes. His victory, coupled with a top 10 last week, boosted him into first place on the Japan Golf Tour and earned him an invitation to the Open Championship. His win at this event also earned him an invitation to the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron. He is absolutely peaking right now, and he is one of the few players on this Tour that has experience playing in majors, so perhaps he could be a dark horse candidate for one of the two majors. If he holds on to his position on the money list, he will also receive an invite into the PGA Championship. Not a bad two weeks of golf.
- Dear LPGA - find harder courses. When ten under par is only good enough for a tie for 27th place, the course is too easy. Birdie or bust tournaments take me right out of it, because I feel as if there is no drama. The leader will likely birdie the 18th. If you want a great ending, make it so someone has to scramble for par.
- The Manulife LPGA Classic was an interesting event, but honestly, it's going to get lost in the shuffle as the Women's PGA Championship is this week. Some players, such as Minjee Lee and Hyo Joo Kim, have established themselves as great rookies that could be major contenders, while Brittany Lang and So Yeon Ryu are among some veterans that popped back up this week that we can not forget about entering the major. So, we move on.
- This has been one of the best PGA Tour seasons in a long time, thanks to the finishes to tournaments and the champions that have been crowned. The Memorial was a great tournament with a fantastic ending, but the champion is a complete unknown. The only thing I knew about David Lingmerth was that he came in second place to Tiger Woods a couple years ago at The Players as a rookie. Other than that, he is an unknown to me and most people in the world. Perhaps this was the first of many victories he notches on his way to a great career, or perhaps he will be forgotten about as a one victory golfer. Only time will tell.
- I'm sure Justin Rose is disappointed he did not win, but he also has to feel good that his game is back to a level where he is competing on an almost weekly basis. Entering this season, Rose was completely lost. Now he seems to be peaking right in time for the US Open. He'll bounce back, and probably in a huge way.
- Jordan Spieth continues to be Jordan Spieth. Consider him among the list of favorites to win his second consecutive major. The player that I really want to see win soon is Hideki Matsuyama. The man is notching top 10's almost every week, but he seems stuck on one victory. It has only been a year, and he is really young, but I hope he doesn't have a drought where his second win is harder and harder to notch. He is such a great player who could be one of the best if he finds a way to close.
- I honestly can't add anything more to the Tiger Woods discussion. His third round 85 was atrocious, but I don't know if that means his career is over or not. I don't think anyone truly knows that answer. It looks REALLY bad, though.
- Two weeks, two invitations into major championships. One week after being a medalist for the US Open qualifier in Japan, Wen-Chong Liang won the JGT Championship Shishido Hills by five strokes. His victory, coupled with a top 10 last week, boosted him into first place on the Japan Golf Tour and earned him an invitation to the Open Championship. His win at this event also earned him an invitation to the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron. He is absolutely peaking right now, and he is one of the few players on this Tour that has experience playing in majors, so perhaps he could be a dark horse candidate for one of the two majors. If he holds on to his position on the money list, he will also receive an invite into the PGA Championship. Not a bad two weeks of golf.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Wednesday Preview - Manulife LPGA Classic
Canada, eh? The LPGA heads north of the border to participate in the Manulife LPGA Classic for the final event before the second major of the season.
Course: Whistle Bear Golf Club. This is a brand new track, and so who knows what the winning score will be. Grey Silo, the previous host, was among the easiest courses on Tour, and the winning score exceeded twenty under par. This year, it should be a lot more difficult.
Strength Of Field: A. Everyone's here, all getting a tune up before the Women's LPGA Championship.
Extra Tidbits: This is one of the newer events on the LPGA schedule, as this is only the fourth time this event has been played...In the last two years, the eventual champion shot 61 in one of the weekend rounds. That was at the much easier Grey Silo course, however...10 Canadian players have received an exemption into this event. All eyes will be on teenager Brooke Henderson...this week, we should expect to see some of the best crowds of the year. Canada really supports their athletes.
Course: Whistle Bear Golf Club. This is a brand new track, and so who knows what the winning score will be. Grey Silo, the previous host, was among the easiest courses on Tour, and the winning score exceeded twenty under par. This year, it should be a lot more difficult.
Strength Of Field: A. Everyone's here, all getting a tune up before the Women's LPGA Championship.
Extra Tidbits: This is one of the newer events on the LPGA schedule, as this is only the fourth time this event has been played...In the last two years, the eventual champion shot 61 in one of the weekend rounds. That was at the much easier Grey Silo course, however...10 Canadian players have received an exemption into this event. All eyes will be on teenager Brooke Henderson...this week, we should expect to see some of the best crowds of the year. Canada really supports their athletes.
Fantasy Four:
Brooke Henderson - I'm calling it now! The teenager dazzles in front of her home crowd and becomes a superstar by winning her first LPGA tournament. She has played incredibly well since turning professional, and playing in front of a home crowd can either add too much pressure or energize you. I think it will energize Brooke.
Inbee Park - Has the opportunity to pass Lydia Ko this week if she has another high finish. Inbee already has seven top 10's this season with two victories, so it appears as if she remains to be the player to beat most weeks.
Minjee Lee - Backed up her victory a few weeks ago with a top 10 last week, so consider me a complete believer. The hardest thing for someone to do is to back up their first victory with a top finish, so with that out of the way, Minjee should be on her way to being a top player.
Lydia Ko - Gets this spot just based on her success in Canada in the past, but to be honest, I am not feeling great about Ko's game right now. Since her victory in San Francisco, she has finished T41 and T16. Still has the game to win on any course she plays, but is not playing like the best player on Tour at the moment.
(SLEEPER) Maria McBride - The 41 year old is enjoying a career revitalization, with a T4, T20, and T10 in her last three starts. She has been named a co-captain of the European Solheim Cup team, so I doubt she's playing to make the team, but I'm sure she'd like another victory.
Wednesday Preview - The Memorial Tournament
There are some tournaments that you want to win because of who hosts them, and this is one of those tournaments. Jack Nicklaus presides over The Memorial as the PGA Tour players head to Ohio.
Course: Muirfield Village, some of the best 7,400 yards on Earth. Weather conditions drastically change the way this course plays - the winning score can be anywhere from eight to nineteen under par.
Strength Of Field: B+. It hurts not to have Rory McIlroy in the field, but there are no complaints about those who are here. This is likely the best field we will see until the US Open.
Extra Tidbits: Tiger Woods tees it up this week. This is one of his final two tuneups prior to Chambers Bay...The Memorial honors someone who has contributed to the game of golf every year. This year, the award will go to Sir Nick Faldo...Tiger Woods has won this event five times, which is the record. Kenny Perry has three victories...Ernie Els will make his 22nd consecutive start at The Memorial...Hideki Matsuyama became the first player since the inaugural tournament to win in his first start at The Memorial. It was his first victory outside of Japan.
Course: Muirfield Village, some of the best 7,400 yards on Earth. Weather conditions drastically change the way this course plays - the winning score can be anywhere from eight to nineteen under par.
Strength Of Field: B+. It hurts not to have Rory McIlroy in the field, but there are no complaints about those who are here. This is likely the best field we will see until the US Open.
Extra Tidbits: Tiger Woods tees it up this week. This is one of his final two tuneups prior to Chambers Bay...The Memorial honors someone who has contributed to the game of golf every year. This year, the award will go to Sir Nick Faldo...Tiger Woods has won this event five times, which is the record. Kenny Perry has three victories...Ernie Els will make his 22nd consecutive start at The Memorial...Hideki Matsuyama became the first player since the inaugural tournament to win in his first start at The Memorial. It was his first victory outside of Japan.
Fantasy Four:
Kevin Na - Came incredibly close last year, losing in a playoff to Matsuyama. Has had a great season so far. Seems to have overcome insecurity issues that plagued him a few seasons ago. His next victory should be around the corner.
Rickie Fowler - Fowler is hit and miss, but can put together several good tournaments in a row. This is his first start since The Players, so if he's going to go on a run, it only makes sense that he will have a good tournament this week.
Tiger Woods - Sleeper pick. I have been burned by players with a far less pedigree, and this may be my only opportunity to take Tiger as a sleeper, so I'm doing it. Could contend, could miss the cut. We really have no idea where his game is at the moment. He does have a great record at this event.
Matt Kuchar - Great player that hasn't lived up to his potential this season. Has a good record at this event. This would be the perfect place for him to turn it around.
Last Weeks Team:
Brendon Todd: CUT
Charley Hoffman: T2
Danny Lee: T34
Keegan Bradley: T22
Monday, June 1, 2015
Former Champions Return To Their Winning Ways
- It was a weekend of victories by former champions all over the world. On the LPGA Tour, former LPGA Champion Anna Nordqvist was the last woman standing following a final round 69 in New Jersey. Nordqvist, who won twice last year after going through a five year winless stretch, didn't look great at times, but she seemed to be the most at ease of all the contenders down the stretch. Her victory all but locks up a spot in the Solheim Cup for Nordqvist. In what may be the strangest stat of them all, this win, coupled with Nordqvist's two victories last season, are the only three victories by a European in the last two seasons.
- I don't know what the take away will be from Christel Boeljon's performance this weekend. I would like to believe that Boeljon will take this week and begin a string of strong tournaments, but it is way too early to predict what kind of success she will have. Keep in mind, Boeljon won three times on the Ladies European Tour, so she is no stranger to winning.
- Players looking for their first victories seem to be calmer coming down the stretch than players who have won in the past, but haven't won in a while. The perfect example this week is Kelly Shon and Morgan Pressel. Shon seemed to be playing with nothing to lose, and was able to notch her best finish as an LPGA pro despite playing in the final group with the eventual champion. Meanwhile, Pressel, who hasn't won in seven years, seems to be chasing it too much, and her short game suffered because of it. I still think Pressel will win this year, but that prediction is looking a little shakier after she gave away the best opportunity she's had in a long time. Hopefully her final round was a splash of cold water on the face and she's able to turn right around and finish the deal next time.
- You could be forgiven if you though Steven Bowditch's victory last season was a fluke. After all, he played terrible the rest of the season, and has missed 10 cuts this season. Bowditch, however, played better than everyone in Irving by a pretty wide margin, walking away with a four stroke victory and his second PGA Tour win. I always hear that the second victory may be harder to get than the first, so perhaps this is the beginning of good things for Bowditch.
- You have to think Charley Hoffman's next victory will occur really soon. He has been so close in so many events this season that it would be a shame if he didn't walk away with another victory. Keep in mind, he did win in Mexico at the end of 2014, which counts for this season, but he has been playing better golf now than he was when he won. Another win should be right around the corner.
- Jimmy Walker's performance is going to end up being lost in the storylines this week, mainly because his top finishes in PGA Tour events are no longer a surprise. He has reached that same level of golfer that I discussed in the same regards as Chris Kirk - yes, you're really good, now go win a major.
- I am once again a believer in Zach Johnson. His putting was difficult to watch at times, but he seems to have gotten that turned around. If he is running all cylinders, he can win a bunch of tournaments. He is one of the best ball strikers on Tour, so if the putter is working, watch out.
- What a great time to pick up your first victory in six years. Once one of the sneaky good players in Europe who seemed destined for great things, Soren Kjeldsen started struggling with his game. He was once ranked as high as 35th in the world back in 2009, but fell all the way to 353rd. Despite struggling in the final round, however, Soren was able to do enough in Ireland to pick up his first victory since 2009, and in doing so, he punched a ticket to St. Andrews and the Open Championship. The other players who grabbed invitations to St. Andrews were Eddie Pepperell, whose final round 69 was almost good enough to pick up his first European Tour victory, and Tyrrell Hatton, who has played in the Open Championship the last two years but is still seeking his first victory.
- 46 is the new 26, or at least that's what Taichi Teshima might tell you. Teshima was once one of the best players on the Japan Tour, having won six times between 1999 and 2007. He found his way inside the top 100 in the World Rankings, and earned his European Tour card. That didn't last, as he lost his card and returned to Japan. He didn't win again for seven years, until last year's Japan PGA Championship. He didn't wait that long this time, as he played brilliant golf all week on his way to a victory at the Mizuno Open and a spot in the Open Championship. Teshima played in the Open Championship twice, but never made a cut and hasn't been back since 2002. Now that he is playing much better golf, however, perhaps he can pick up his first ever major paycheck. Joining Teshima at St. Andrews are Scott Strange, the Australian who was once a member of the European Tour and won twice on that Tour and played in the Open Championship in 2008, Tadahiro Takayama, who played in the Open Championship at St. Andrews in 2005 and finished inside the top 25, and Shinji Tomimura, a complete unknown who only has conditional status on the Japan Tour and has played only three times this season, missing two cuts. Tomimura's third place finish shot him from 1382nd in the world up to 722nd, but I wonder if he will be the highest ranked player in the field once the tournament begins in July.
- It was a heavyweight battle on the JLPGA Tour, as Teresa Lu, former LPGA player who has been raking in victories on the JLPGA lately, defeated former World Number One Jiyai Shin. Both of these players are in great form, and both will be playing in the US Women's Open, so perhaps we might see them spoil the leaderboard.
- I don't know what the take away will be from Christel Boeljon's performance this weekend. I would like to believe that Boeljon will take this week and begin a string of strong tournaments, but it is way too early to predict what kind of success she will have. Keep in mind, Boeljon won three times on the Ladies European Tour, so she is no stranger to winning.
- Players looking for their first victories seem to be calmer coming down the stretch than players who have won in the past, but haven't won in a while. The perfect example this week is Kelly Shon and Morgan Pressel. Shon seemed to be playing with nothing to lose, and was able to notch her best finish as an LPGA pro despite playing in the final group with the eventual champion. Meanwhile, Pressel, who hasn't won in seven years, seems to be chasing it too much, and her short game suffered because of it. I still think Pressel will win this year, but that prediction is looking a little shakier after she gave away the best opportunity she's had in a long time. Hopefully her final round was a splash of cold water on the face and she's able to turn right around and finish the deal next time.
- You could be forgiven if you though Steven Bowditch's victory last season was a fluke. After all, he played terrible the rest of the season, and has missed 10 cuts this season. Bowditch, however, played better than everyone in Irving by a pretty wide margin, walking away with a four stroke victory and his second PGA Tour win. I always hear that the second victory may be harder to get than the first, so perhaps this is the beginning of good things for Bowditch.
- You have to think Charley Hoffman's next victory will occur really soon. He has been so close in so many events this season that it would be a shame if he didn't walk away with another victory. Keep in mind, he did win in Mexico at the end of 2014, which counts for this season, but he has been playing better golf now than he was when he won. Another win should be right around the corner.
- Jimmy Walker's performance is going to end up being lost in the storylines this week, mainly because his top finishes in PGA Tour events are no longer a surprise. He has reached that same level of golfer that I discussed in the same regards as Chris Kirk - yes, you're really good, now go win a major.
- I am once again a believer in Zach Johnson. His putting was difficult to watch at times, but he seems to have gotten that turned around. If he is running all cylinders, he can win a bunch of tournaments. He is one of the best ball strikers on Tour, so if the putter is working, watch out.
- What a great time to pick up your first victory in six years. Once one of the sneaky good players in Europe who seemed destined for great things, Soren Kjeldsen started struggling with his game. He was once ranked as high as 35th in the world back in 2009, but fell all the way to 353rd. Despite struggling in the final round, however, Soren was able to do enough in Ireland to pick up his first victory since 2009, and in doing so, he punched a ticket to St. Andrews and the Open Championship. The other players who grabbed invitations to St. Andrews were Eddie Pepperell, whose final round 69 was almost good enough to pick up his first European Tour victory, and Tyrrell Hatton, who has played in the Open Championship the last two years but is still seeking his first victory.
- 46 is the new 26, or at least that's what Taichi Teshima might tell you. Teshima was once one of the best players on the Japan Tour, having won six times between 1999 and 2007. He found his way inside the top 100 in the World Rankings, and earned his European Tour card. That didn't last, as he lost his card and returned to Japan. He didn't win again for seven years, until last year's Japan PGA Championship. He didn't wait that long this time, as he played brilliant golf all week on his way to a victory at the Mizuno Open and a spot in the Open Championship. Teshima played in the Open Championship twice, but never made a cut and hasn't been back since 2002. Now that he is playing much better golf, however, perhaps he can pick up his first ever major paycheck. Joining Teshima at St. Andrews are Scott Strange, the Australian who was once a member of the European Tour and won twice on that Tour and played in the Open Championship in 2008, Tadahiro Takayama, who played in the Open Championship at St. Andrews in 2005 and finished inside the top 25, and Shinji Tomimura, a complete unknown who only has conditional status on the Japan Tour and has played only three times this season, missing two cuts. Tomimura's third place finish shot him from 1382nd in the world up to 722nd, but I wonder if he will be the highest ranked player in the field once the tournament begins in July.
- It was a heavyweight battle on the JLPGA Tour, as Teresa Lu, former LPGA player who has been raking in victories on the JLPGA lately, defeated former World Number One Jiyai Shin. Both of these players are in great form, and both will be playing in the US Women's Open, so perhaps we might see them spoil the leaderboard.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)