Lexus Cup Preview

It’s Annika Sorenstam and her picks versus Grace Park and the Asian contingency duking it out this weekend at the Lexus Cup.

LPGA logoAn international team of golfers led by the one-and-only Annika Sorenstam hopes to level a group of Asian golfers managed by Grace Park on their own turf at the inaugural Lexus Cup.

Toyota Motors Pacific, IMG and the Singapore Sports Council have hopes that this match-play format which includes some of the finest world golfers will attract attention to the sport which is growing in leaps and bounds in Asia.

The selection is not only based upon experience but on the “personality and charm” of each chosen participant. If you ask me, charisma doesn’t win a golf match, but a bit of luck sure can help!

Singapore is extremely proud to be hosting it’s first professional golf event. “From a sports industry perspective, having the tournament tee off here is testament to Singapore having the capability and structure to host sports events with prestige and of international stature,” stated Mr. Oon Jin Teik, CEO of the Singapore Sports Council.

The growing sport of women’s golf cannot be ignored in this region. Just this season two of four major winners were Asian (Birdie Kim and Jimin Kang). Ai Miyazato just won medalist honors at Q-School and even Michelle Wie is South Korean (although raised in Hawaii).

Reporters both in the state and abroad hound these golfers from the time they get off an airplane right through a tournament and even after the event, due to the appeal of these golfers to the Asian people. Just look at the mass of press that charged after Miyazato after she easily won at Q-School.

The Lexus Cup is basically a response to the Asian people’s extreme interest in golf. As Annika stated, “The Lexus Cup is providing such a positive development in ladies golf and in particular in Asia. It’ll be a great challenge to meet the girls from Asia.”

The format is match-play with six four-ball better-ball matches played on Friday, foursome matches on Saturday and twelve singles matches on Sunday. The winning team takes home $720,000 or $40,000 USD per participant. The vanquished still get something for showing up. Each member of the losing team takes home $20,000.

So which players have not only the playing ability but also the style and charm to make it onto Sorenstam’s team? Annika believes that she has put together a very strong group of golfers. “Each one of us will feel we’re here to represent our country so I’m confident it will be successful.”

Two players whom I could have chosen without reading the roster are Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis. Come on, readers, there was never a doubt. Paula Creamer not only won two events on the LPGA tour in her rookie season but also won two tournaments in Asia. She’s also number-two on the LPGA Official Money List…a no brainer.

What about Natalie Gulbis? She hasn’t won an event yet on tour but I’ll bet that Sorenstam had her in mind after Natalie nearly beat her in Annika’s own tournament in Sweden.

One interesting pick by Annika is Erica Blasberg, 2005 rookie on the LPGA tour and now, after Q-School, a non-exempt member on the tour. She definitely has visual appeal but I don’t think she’ll do much damage to the Asian team.

Sorenstam has also selected two fellow countrywomen, Carin Koch and Sophie Gustafson. Carin Koch was victorious in April at the Corona Morelia tournament in Mexico. Although Gustafson hasn’t won a tournament this year, she still has seven top-ten finishes out of twenty-six starts and is second longest driver on tour.

Two picks from Scotland, Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie. Matthew has had a really impressive season finishing in the top-ten in almost half of the tournaments she has entered. I really don’t know why Janice Moodie was selected. Her last two victory was in 2002 and her season stats aren’t impressive.

Columbia is represented aptly by Marisa Baena who won the HSBC Matchplay event earlier this season (good choice Annika). Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and the USA’s Jill Mc Gill round out the participants on Sorenstam’s team.

“I’ve had the chance to play alongside some of the best players like Annika in the Solheim Cup and it is indeed a rare occasion to be playing against the Asians who have such a huge presence in the LPGA Tour but never had the chance to participate in such a team format,” said Pettersen.

Annika had better make good selections. There’s alot riding on Team International emerging victorious. I understand that the Swede is interested in becoming a future captain of the Solheim Cup team and the world is watching.

“This is pretty much the first time I’ve captained anything. I’ll see how it goes, but yes, down the road,” stated Sorenstam discussing her interest in eventually leading the European team to victory.

Team Asia golfers have been selected by Grace Park, previous winner of the Vare Trophy for low scoring average and a golfer who always seems to be in the zone until this season where she has been plagued by back problems. Park said, ” I am honored and excited to be selected as the captain for the Asia Team at the Lexus Cup. I hope that with my experience and knowledge I can lead the team to victory.”

Park has chosen wisely. Eight team members are from Korea, including Park.

Birdie Kim won the U.S. Open. Jeong Jang (Women’s British Open) and Meena Lee (BMO Canadian Women’s Open) both won on the LPGA Tour this season. Gloria Park has been in the mix regularly as has Hee-Won Han. Aree and Naree Song are both young up-and-coming twin sisters who hope to make a splash on the tour.

“When we first started playing golf, Naree and I used to travel a lot together for tournaments but since I turned pro a year earlier than Naree, we started pursuing slightly different paths,” stated slightly older sister Aree going on to say, “Its quite interesting that we have a common goal to work towards again, which is to win the Lexus Cup title for the Asian Team.”

Riko Higashio and Namika Omata represent Japan.

Candie Kung who has seven top-ten finishes this season and finished in 11th position on the ADT Official money list will wave the flag for Taiwan.

Jennifer Rosales, born in the Phillipines and winner of the season opener SBS Open will also represent the Asian contingency.

The Lexus Cup will be held from December 9th through December 11th in Singapore at the Tanah Marah Golf Club.

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