2010 US Women's Open - Ladies Tackle Oakmont "Beast"

6,584 yards of pure terror. If you think Oakmont is giving in to the ladies for their annual national championship, guess again. The par three 8th hole can play 252 yards. The par five 12th is the longest in women's history at 602 yards. Throw in the church pew bunkers and bathtub greens and par begins to look like a winning score.

The 2010 US Women's Open comes to venerable Oakmont Country Club, Pittsburgh, PA. For history buffs Exhibit A is Julie Inskster, who at 50 years young is returning to the site of her 1992 Open playoff loss to Patty Sheehan. For making history buffs there's newly minted world #1 Cristie Kerr fending off close behind challengers Ai Miyazato, Jiyai Shin, Suzann Pettersen, and Yani Tseng. Don't leave out defending champ Eun-Hee Ji and a host of others in the 156 player field. 2010 US Women's Open Field and Tee Times.

Hot, dry, and fast should be the order of the day, at least for the first two rounds. Hitting fairways will be paramount, but as is almost always the case, making putts will determine the winner. A few years ago I'd have installed Michelle Wie as the heavy prohibitive favorite based on her strength and length. Sideways out of bunkers may be commonplace this week and Wie "had" the chops to hit shots out of trouble that no other woman had any business attempting. Here's hoping for a reemergence for Wie and a US champion.

Although noticeably behind their male brethren, the women will play for a 3.25 million dollar purse with  $585,000 being the winner's share. Sit back and enjoy.







Til' next,

Wie Wins - The Wait is Over.

The "Will Michelle Wie win?" watch is officially over. In her 66th LPGA start the phenom notched her 1st victory in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. Her 69 today was good enough for a two stroke victory over Solheim Cup teammate Paula Creamer. Morgan Pressel, Cristie Kerr, and Jiyai Shin finished three back at -10. Wie knocked a 30 yard bunker shot to tap-in range for a 72nd hole birdie that sealed the win. In doing so she leaped off perhaps the biggest schneid in the history of golf. Final Full Field Scores.

Even a young Tiger Woods didn't have the expectations heaped on him that Wie's seen since her pre-teen days. Dubious career decisions, horribly timed injuries, and parents perceived as mettlesome have only acted as roadblocks in her predicted rise. Her 3-0-1 record in this year's Solheim Cup was a huge confidence boost that only proves the adage that golf can be a mental struggle. Her acceptance by her Cup teammates may have been the bell that went off in her head and convinced her she belonged in their club. Regardless, she showed today that she is all everyone wanted or expected her to be. Her youthful exuberance displayed after she sunk the winning putt was genuine and worth the price of admission to witness. She showed she still has a lot of kid in her in the post round interviews, seemingly struck by lightning. Don't confuse her childlike responses with an intellectual void though. No one gets into Stanford by accident, especially when they've abandoned their amateur status and can't play on the golf team.

Time will tell if this was Michelle's breakthrough moment and is a harbinger of things to come. She possesses a game of strength that no other woman pro has. On the difficult 220 yard par three 17th today most of the players had hit between a hybrid club for Yani Tseng, a long hitter, up to and including 3 woods. Michelle's club of choice on the hole this week was 4 or 5 iron. That my friends is a serious power difference. Couple that with renewed short game focus and dose of confidence and you might have glimpsed the future of women's golf. Better late than never.





Til' next,

Golf Headlines For 2009.

Anyone and everyone is rehashing the year of golf in 2008. Lists and top ten moments are as affordable as GM stock. You don't have to be Nostradamus to peek into the past. Predictions are where it's at. Average Golfer reveals 2009's biggest headlines, right here, right now.

• Wie Wins a Tournament - I don't know which one, but a refocused Michelle will win at least one. Too much game not to break in her finally legitimate pro career in proper fashion.

• Monty Hatches Senior Women's Tour - In full Mrs. Doubtfire regalia, Colin Montgomerie forms a senior women's golf tour announcing, "This is where I've really belonged all along".
  

• Daly Makes a Cut - After hightailing it to the European Tour, John Daly will make at least one cut while serving his 6 month PGA suspension for being an idiot. Take it to the bank.

• Tiger Woods Wins Another Major - Best bet, the Masters or the US Open at Bethpage Black. Expect Woods to come back stronger than Boo Weekly's drawl. Or is that drool?

• Finchem Elected International Czar of Golf - Or Tsar if you prefer. The current PGA commish has the only tour with sponsors and purses close to 2008 levels. Expect him to further pursue golf in the Olympics, but with the caveat that each country only have one player.

• Titleist Trumps Callaway With Square Ball - Whouda' thunk? Rather than contest the ruling on the ProV1, Titleist's R&D department develops a smooth sailing square ball that stops better on greens.

• Azinger Regains Captaincy in Coup - Stating it's "best for the nation", Zinger wrests the Ryder Cup captaincy from Corey Pavin in a bloodless and swift move. No one seems to have a problem with the act, so it stays.

• Annika Returns - After conceiving and giving birth in a record number of strokes, Annika Sorenstam declares her "family phase" accomplished and returns to the LPGA with a stroller.

• Weekly Quits Golf - Citing a need for new challenges, Boo Weekly retires from professional golf and forms the WWPST, the World Wide Possum Shooting Tour. He promptly captures their and his first major.

• Sergio Forms Support Group - Recognizing a need on tour for an outlet for the downtrodden, unfairly screwed, and just generally unlucky, Sergio Garcia heads a traveling support group that meets weekly in a tour sponsored RV.

• Mickelson Declares Fitness Unhealthy - Longing for a return to his form of yore, Phil Mickelson admits that his foray into fitness was just plain dumb. Phil dismisses 5 trainers and replaces them all with swing coaches.

There you have it. A snoop into the 2009 golf headlines that will be all the buzz in the next year. I know, and you're welcome.


Til' next,

Happiest Average Golfer Wishes For 2009 !

Stacy Lewis Captures LPGA Q-School Marathon

Stacy Lewis, one of the favorites going in, proved her status by firing a 69 in the 5th and final round of LPGA Q-School to garner medalist honors. Making the tour was a foregone conclusion, but Lewis persisted. She stated yesterday that her goal was to win and she achieved. Lewis finished at -18, three shots clear of Amy Yang at -15. Anna Grzebien ended her week with a strong -7, 65 to wrap up 3rd place. A threesome landed at T4, -13. They were Sophie Giquel, Beth Bader, and Shiho Oyama, the Japanese rising star that flirted with the lead for most of the event. Michelle Wie carded a somewhat disappointing +2, 74, but easily earned her 2009 card, finishing at -12 in a tie with Lisa Strom. Wie earning her card is a boon to the LPGA. Attendance and TV ratings should instantly rise, an effect the LPGA dearly needs. Her full impact however depends entirely on how much she chooses to play. Full field scores, Round 5.

Playoff for Final 2 Spots.

Naturally 90 holes wasn't enough golf to identify the twenty players that would earn full exempt staus for 2009. Chella Choi, Allison Hanna-Williams, Nari Kim, and Leah Wigger trudged back to the 9th hole tee for a three hole, aggregate score playoff. Choi's birdie on 9 gave her the cushion needed to capture her card. The remaining three played the 10th hole in sudden death format. Wigger canned her 10 foot uphill birdie putt to claim the 20th and final spot.

Pay attention to these ladies. They're the future of the LPGA. They have the daunting challenge of reviving an injured tour in difficult times. Should be interesting.

Til' next,

LPGA Q-School Set for Photo Finish

Stacy Lewis, whose 3rd place finish at this year's US Women's Open should have gained her eligibility on next year's tour, is earning it the old fashioned way. Lewis' -5, 67 gave her a one stroke lead over Michelle Wie, -4, 68 at LPGA Q-School today. Lewis landed at -15 overall going into tomorrow's 5th round. Wie was at -14, Amy Yang, -5 today, was at -13. Shiho Oyama was another back at -12, and yesterday's leader Mollie Fankhauser, +1 today, -11 overall slipped to a tie with Charlotte Mayorkas. All of these women, barring something catastrophic, will earn full playing privileges for 2009. I'd love to see a down to the wire shootout for medalist honors.

The real tension for tomorrow is the women that will be fighting for the coveted 20th spot, ensuring their playing rights. At the end of today's play I counted 19 women between -6 and -3 overall. They're all surrounding the 20th spot like piranha on a T-bone. Truth be told, there's probably 30 women with a shot at the prize. High drama contained in 18 holes indeed. It's a real shame this event isn't televised somewhere. Knowing my luck, bowling will be. Real time scoring will have to do I suppose.

Til' tomorrow,

Full field scores after Round 4.

Changes Atop LPGA Q-School Leaderboard.

Mollie Fankhauser solved the difficult Legends course today at LPGA Q-School with an impressive 66 that gave her the lead after three rounds. The 2007 LPGA Tour rookie made a strong bid to snag her 2009 tour card. Her -12 finish after today's round gave the Ohioan a one stroke advantage. There was minor movement at the top of the leader board. Shiho Oyama's -1 left her at -11 and in sole possession of 2nd place. Michelle Wie and Stacy Lewis followed in a tie for 3rd at -10, Wie posting an even par 72 and Lewis a -1, 71. Within sniffing distance were Amy Yang, -2, -8 and Charlotte Mayorkas, also at -8 after a brilliant 66 today. All of the aforementioned rounds were posted on the narrower, more treacherous Legends course. Go figure.

Big Moves

I suppose in a five round tourney both Friday and Saturday could be considered moving day. Big movers today included Leah Wigger's -6 that moved her from T58 to T10. Sarah Kemp, a blistering 65 on the Champions course that moved her from T88 to T20. Beth Bader's -3 that elevated her from T30 to T15 and especially Alison Walsh's sparkling 64 on Champions that rocketed her to T31 from T115.

Saturday, Round 4, Moving Day #2. Fascinating.

Til' next,

Wiesy Game.

Having Michelle Wie win the LPGA's Q-school tournament would the best Christmas present LPGA Supreme Leader Bivens could ask possibly expect. Michelle skipping her spring semester at Stanford would be the second best. Today Michelle did her best to grant Bivens the former.

Wie stroked a sensational -7, 65 to share the second round lead with 1st round leader Shiho Oyama, 64, 70. Nipping at heir heels was Stacy Lewis, whose quiet 66 today left her one back at 135. Wie played the Champions course, considered to be easier due to expansive fairways. Wie pulled her driver with regularity versus yesterday en route to a 11 of 14 fairways, 13 of 18 greens, and 24 putt round that echoed the Michelle we've hoped to see. She birdied four of her last five holes for a strong finish that should lead well into round three. Her prodigious talent was full on display for the 1st time in a while. Wie's new found approach of not speaking with the media until after the final round is still in effect.

Wie is certainly not unchallenged this week. Playing the more difficult Legends course, Oyama scored an excellent -2, 70 that coupled with yesterday's gem gave Wie company at the top. Also on the Legends course, Stacy Lewis provided the round of the day, an impressive 66. These three seem to be pulling away from the field leaving lots of interesting action in the middle as these women battle for 2009 LPGA playing privileges. Tomorrow will significantly narrow player's options heading into the weekend. Be there!

Til' next,

Full 2nd round results.

LPGA Q School - Oyama Leads, Wie on Way With 69.

90 grueling holes for 20 coveted spots is the MO for LPGA Q School at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, FL. It's a personified pressure cooker as women golfers try to attain life long dreams or keep an existing dream going. The down side of 90 holes is the endurance required. The upside is you could have an iffy round and still survive. One iffy round, not two.

Shiho Oyama and Mika Miyazato, an amateur, started their rounds on fire with front side 31s. Oyama took the first 18 hole lead with a scorching 64. Miyazato was two behind in solo second with a 66. Both of their rounds were carded on the statistically easier Champions course, one of two being used in the event. Mollie Fankhauser and Amy Yang shared joint 3rd with 67s. Jeehae Lee held 4th place alone with a 68 and Audra Burks, Stacy Lewis and Michelle Wie split 6th place with 69s, Wie's coming on the narrower, more difficult Legends course. Full 1st round scores.

The 1st round can't win you one of these things, but it can lose it for you. LPGA veterans Vicki Goetze-Ackerman and A.J. Eathorne found this out with 1st day +4, 76s. Naree Song struggled to a 75 and Patricia Meunier-Lebouc trod perilous ground with an opening 74.

The first three rounds figure to be positioning for the last two days on the weekend. Think of it as a horse race with five turns. Stay tuned. Pure excitement and butterflies in the stomach are hallmarks of Q School.

Til' next,