With only five events remaining in the offical LPGA season the ladies fly to Dublin, Ohio to compete in the Wendy’s Championship for Children Tournament this weekend.
Nineteen of the top twenty female golfers will be in attendance this year, some eagerly looking forward to a another win in 2005 while others attempt to get their season jump-started.
Annika Sorenstam is in the mix this week after a brief layoff. She won the inaugural event in 1999 and finished second in 2001. I’m sure that another trophy would look great next to the six (including two majors) she’s attained earlier this season.
Last year Catriona Matthew barely squeezed out a win during a sudden-death playoff against Hee-Won Han. A one-stroke victory after overcoming a three-stroke deficit gave Matthew her second career LPGA championship overcoming a 96 event drought.
Keep your eyes focused on Paula Creamer who is currently in second place behind Sorenstam on the ADT Official Money List. Her terrific rookie season began with a win at the Sybase Classic and she hasn’t caught her breath since that rainy afternoon when she lovingly held her first professional trophy. Last year Paula entered the Wendy’s Tournament on a sponsor’s exemption and finished respectably in 18th place.
The “Pink Panther” is literally a shoo-in to win the Louis Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award. Her nearest competitor is Meena Lee who won her first event at the 2005 BMO Financial Group Canadian Women’s Open. Lee would have to win most of the final events this year to have any chance of taking the Rolex off of Creamer’s wrist. Lee will be in the final field with the hopes of gaining much needed points.
Annika better keep her eyes on Creamer as well. If Paula keeps steamrolling through her competitors through the 2006 season she might just cause the number-one female golfer in the world to topple from the apex of the official money list. Hmmm.… Annika in second place? It could happen.
Notable 2005 golfers in the final field who have won an event this year include Soo-Yun Kang who finally overcame a three-year dry spell to rally at the Safeway Classic just last week. Michelob champion Cristie Kerr who failed to qualify at the same event will try her luck again hoping to make it to the Sunday finals.
Kang’s longtime friend Birdie Kim who hoisted her first trophy at the U.S. Women’s Open will try to drop in as many miraculous sand saves as she can to overcome one of the strongest final fields on tour.
Early season winners include Jennifer Rosales, Karrie Webb, Lorena Ochoa, Wendy Ward and Stacy Prammanasudh. Each of these ladies have garnered attention for their early victories but have yet to create much of a stir in the latter part of the season.
Natalie Gulbis is still struggling to come out on top of the leaderboard during a Sunday final round. Although she has been within reach on several occasions I think all she needs is a bit more confidence in her abilities. She will breakthrough; it’s just a matter of when that will occur.
A sponsor’s exemption was given to amateur Morgan Pressel. Aside from the 17-year old’s amazing ability to get the job done, she also is a very colorful persona. Her name is recognizable which means that when she finally turns pro, advertisers will be bidding for a spot on her golf cap, shirt and golf bag. She is going to be one wealthy young tour pro!
A $1.1 million dollar total purse with $165,000 going to the winner will have the ladies really battling it out this weekend. The second place prize of over $101K is also impressive. I think Tartan Fields Golf Club will favor the deep hitters as it’s one of the longer courses on tour at 6,517 yards.
Television coverage will be provided by ESPN2 on the following dates:
Aug 26, 4:00-6:00pm ET Aug 27, 2:00-4:00pm ET Aug 28, 1:00-3:00pm ET