Report from the Samsung World LPGA (Torrey Pines South)

[Chas]

I strongly recommend showing up at the Samsung this weekend, where the top 20 ladies are strutting their stuff here in beautiful San Diego-by-the-sea. Actually the sun hardly came out yesterday (Friday) on account of the coastal cloud layer hanging around, but I didn't mind that a bit because it kept temperatures down. People said the ladies weren't hitting the ball as far as yesterday but some were hitting it a long way I can tell you. The course was playing about 6700 yards as I recall.

Some comments:

1) Crowds were light which was disappointing in a sense but OTOH I got to watch all of them from very close up, on the tee, on the fairway and on the green. Hardly needed to use the Mickelson periscope around the greens in fact. Nice.

2) Gustafson is a real power hitter. She has a slowish take-away and then really comes down aggressively and attacks the ball. Altogether a pleasure to the eye. On the 6th she cut the dogleg right and ended up waaay in front of her partner. This woman might win if she's consistent off the tee.

3) Shin, who I watched for maybe half a dozen holes, was always the first to hit the second shot on par 4/5 holes (her partner was Song-Hee Kim). I didn't see her miss a single fairway (she missed right on the 18th but I was nearer the green at that time and only saw her approach shot) and her driving, like all of her stroke play, is very very steady. There is no visible lateral movement in her swing, she just rotates smoothly and fires the ball very close to her intended target time and time again. She's a 'dead-eye dick' (sharpshooter) and no mistake. This woman will be hard to beat over the weekend.

4) Miyazoto was hot early on when we followed her for a bit, I think I saw 2 birdies. She looked very cool and composed and is IMO very (ahem) cute. She could also win if she keeps her composure at her young age.

5) I'm really glad that Ochoa eagled the 18th. She had a sort of up and down day but clearly she's contending and seemed to have a positive attitude. She hit a good drive to the middle of the fairway on the 18th and I walked toward the rope on the east side to get a closer look at her second shot. An official walked towards me ..... I looked around and noticed noone was standing in that area ..... hmmmmm ...... I looked to the left ....... aaaaaaagh! Gustafson was in right rough near a pine tree about 25 yards away and thinking about her next difficult shot - I was standing right in the way! I walked very quickly back up the slope and out of the way, she hadn't actually addressed the ball yet thank goodness. I hadn't seen her because she was half hidden behind the Torrey Pine from where I had been standing before walking towards Ochoa.

Just don't blame me for Gustafson's chunked 2nd shot (very low to avoid a branch, very gnarly grass) and for pulling into the greenside bunker on her third. She may have bogeyed .....

6) Paula Creamer was impressive to watch in more ways than one. You can see why she's won a lot and pulls a good crowd. I got up fairly close to her here and there on the course - very nice.

7) I'm glad I got to see Juli Inkster on a few holes, having followed her career (sorda) for many years. She's a real pro and still obviously a tough tough competitor. Another generation, most of the 20 women here being a couple decades her junior. I love this about golf, that some can stay competitive for a long time and keep enriching the game for all of us. Let's hope Tiger does this as well.

8) There are many women in serious contention after two days, including Kerr who was also impressive to watch.

I had a wonderful afternoon on the course, which showed itself splendidly.

WELL DONE TORREY PINES MANAGEMENT AND STAFF - you did it again.

[Shindig]

I was seriously tempted to make the drive to San Diego to watch. If Christina Kim was doing something spectacular, I'd be really kicking myself for staying in Los Angeles this weekend.

[Chas]

hmmmm, on the Friday I sure didn't see Choi making a run like that on Saturday. She played OK but wow, what an amazing run for a 63! Must say I had my money on Miyazoto most of the time on Sunday - she kept her cool on the home stretch but just didn't quite pull off the approach shot on 18. She's got the nerves and the talent to win a whole lot more in the future, that's for sure. Choi will gain a lot of confidence under pressure after this, which is good for women's golf. The more competition the better.

[kris]

Very disappointed I couldn't go this weekend. But glad you had a good time and glad the tournament went well.

[Chas]

Good to hear from you Kris and sorry you couldn't make it. I had as good a time as I do at the Buick every year, partly because there were much fewer people there and you could easily cover so much of the action; and partly because these women were playing the course that I have played myself in terms of length and shot selection. But this is where that particular comparison ends - such a display of accuracy I don't recall ever seeing. It's something I'll never come close to achieving myself.

[threedolphins]

I strongly recommend showing up at the Samsung this weekend, where the top 20 ladies are strutting their stuff here in beautiful San Diego-by-the-sea. Actually the sun hardly came out yesterday (Friday) on account of the coastal cloud layer hanging around, but I didn't mind that a bit because it kept temperatures down. People said the ladies weren't hitting the ball as far as yesterday but some were hitting it a long way I can tell you. The course was playing about 6700 yards as I recall.

I got to watch on TV...and I couldn't help but think the crowds looked very light, thank you for confirming and posting your report. I will probably drive to Houston for the LPGA Tour Championship in Nov. I have a Precept hat that I want Paula Creamer to sign...maybe I'll get lucky...oh yeah and I am going to ask her to marry me (just kidding). Anyways, a question to ask you if I may. I heard that at LPGA events the players and caddies are a lot more interactive with the fans and so forth, and mingle a bit more...was this your observation? Might be fun to bring my friend and her little kids if that is the case...you know meet some real pros.

[Cussin hacker]

I'd like to attend an LPGA event sometime. Less crowds means a better time in my book. Plus these gals can play some golf!

[Clambake]

Anyways, a question to ask you if I may.

Regarding your question, the following link to an article in this morning's San Diego Union Tribune talks about interaction with the LPGA players: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stori...friendly/?golf

[threedolphins]

Regarding your question, the following link to an article in this morning's San Diego Union Tribune talks about interaction with the LPGA players:

that is so awesome! thanks for sharing that.

[kris]

“Give her a kiss on the cheek,” the dad said, but the little boy turned away, embarrassed. Bet the kid regrets that someday.

haha. damn i need to go next year.

[Chas]

Anyways, a question to ask you if I may. I heard that at LPGA events the players and caddies are a lot more interactive with the fans and so forth, and mingle a bit more...was this your observation? Might be fun to bring my friend and her little kids if that is the case...you know meet some real pros.

Interesting question. I can't say that I noticed any actual interactions but that doesn't mean much. I could easily have missed that sort of thing going on, I was talking to my friend quite a bit (about golf of course ......) and not very crowd-oriented between shots. There were definitely more opportunities to get close to the players as they walked from the green to the next tee for example.

I strongly recommend showing up at an LPGA event. The competition is intense and the golf, to judge by this, is of a high standard. You see some lay-ups where the men wouldn't do it but that's OK - it makes for less predictable golf. You aren't so sure what shot is going to be played next on a par 5, or even off the tee on a par 3 (e.g. the 11th). They will take their chances and go for a tight pin if it seems worth the risk just like the guys, IOW I don't think they're unduly cautious. It wouldn't pay off in the long run. Later: only just read the Union Trib article - thanks for posting. Good on the U-T for the coverage, they did well for the whole tournament. Now I'm remembering that as we walked past the practice greens on the way out at about 5 p.m. on Friday, right after the last pair had just putted out on 18, there was a whole bunch of players working on their putting there. I think it was Creamer who sank three fairly long ones in a row, then just missed the fourth. Anyway the atrmosphere was quite relaxed and pleasant, I suspect you'd get a chance to interact with a player then if you played your cards right.