Teeing It Up at the Michelob Ultra Open

Se-Ri Pak defends her championship title against Annika Sorenstam and the top LPGA players at the Michelob Ultra Open.

LPGAThe LPGA returns to the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Williamsburg, Virginia for the “5th Major” of the year. With a purse of $2.2 million (the second largest pay-out on tour), and a first place check of over $300,000, this tournament attracts the top contenders in the world. Money leader Annika Sorenstam, number two Lorena Ochoa and last week’s winner of the Franklin, Stacy Prammanasudh, are all scheduled to attend. Defending champion Se Ri Pak, number 78 on the 2005 Money List with a meager $20,000 in earnings, has yet to make a move this season. Tied for 81st in birdies, tied for 90th in sand saves and tied for 104th for greens in regulation, it is unlikely that the 25-year old has the mental game to challenge this hot field.

Leader of the pack Annika Sorenstam, who recently tied Nancy Lopez’s winning streak of five victories in a row at the Kraft Nabisco, is back. But, Annika is also in a challenging position at a golf course that has only netted her a sixth place finish in 2003 and an 8th place tie last year. Prior to her wins this season at the Safeway, the Mastercard and the Nabisco, Annika took the trophies at the Mizuno Classic and the 2004 finale, the ADT Championship. After a five week hiatus, a 6th win this weekend would add yet another notch on Annika’s very wide belt and topple Lopez’s record.

Lorena Ochoa, a runner-up at two previous Michelob Tournaments, will attempt to grab the coveted trophy this week. She watched from the 18th green at the 2003 tournament as Grace Park dunked a birdie to win and tied for 2nd in 2004 after being caught and overrun by Se Ri Pak. This year was more of the same for Ochoa, narrowly losing to Sorenstam at the Mastercard Tournament and placing second just last week at the Franklin American Championship. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, Lorena? Frankly, she’s starting to look a little like Phil Mickelson on tour…before winning his first major!

Grace Park, the 2003 Michelob Ultra champion, will be among this terrific assemblage, her tight back not an issue for the moment. Grace is sponsored by Michelob along with Beth Bauer, Kelli Kuehne, and Lorie Kane, all of whom will be teeing it up. PGA champion Sergio Garcia is also included on Michelob’s roster of stars, although he will not participate in this event! But, could Sergio effectively win if put to the test against this stellar field?

Big Break III winner, Danielle Amiee, who verbally smack-talked her way to a win just one week ago against golf beginner Pam Crikelair, will make her debut. The Future’s Tour, where Danielle (aka “Barbie” by the show’s contestants) has not competed in an event since 2004 due to her low player status, recently asked its fans the following question about its rising star, “Do you think Big Break III winner Danielle Amiee will miss the cut?” A whopping 86% of the voters said Amiee should start packing now. Only 12% stated that she would finish in the top-40 and only 1% said she would finish with a top-10 under her belt. Our own forum took it a step further and wondered if Danielle would even break 80 at the event and the results were hilarious! But, Amiee has ideas of her own, “This week my realistic goal is to make the cut. But I’m here with open eyes and open arms to learn from these players” (players please count your fingers after shaking hands with Danielle). “Just like it was in the show, there are no gimmees in golf.”

Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Juli Inkster, Rosie Jones, Cristie Kerr, Grace Park, Wendy Ward and amateur Morgan Pressel are also on the leaderboard, challenging Annika and Se Ri. With names like these in attendance, know that the competition this week is going to be fierce.

This is also another State Farm Bonus Pool Event. Last year’s winner, Ochoa, is currently in the lead, with last week’s winner, Stacy P. chasing first place. Ward and Kerr are in a tie for third and Annika sits back in fifth place, like Tiger Woods, waiting for her chance to pounce.

ESPN2 provides the coverage this week starting with the second round: May 06 3:00-5:00 PM, May 07 2:00-4:00 PM and May 08 3:00-5:00 PM(ET)

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