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,

2009 Solheim Cup - Mismatch?

Average Golfer's rare foray into women's golf is highlighted this week by the 2009 Solheim Cup being played at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL. The venue sounds like a spot to pick some apples after a hearty pancake breakfast. The matches shape up to be noticeably in favor of the US squad. Never discount the intricacies of match play however when all you need to do is win the hole. Disaster holes mean only that, one hole. I'd bet Padraig would have preferred match play in the last two weeks.

Our favorite betting site, Ladbrokes, has installed the USA squad as a 1.22:1 favorite. The European contingent lays at 5:1, or you can attain 12:1 odds on the match ending in a tie. The USA carries a 7-3 match record into this event having never lost on home soil. Led by the likes of Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, veteran Julie Inkster and rookie Michelle Wie, the US team has no one ranked lower than 51st in the world. The Euros feature Laura Davies, who has played in every Solheim Cup, Suzann Pettersen, Sophie Gustafson, Women's British Open winner Catriona Matthew, and Helen Alfredsson, returning to play after serving as captain. Full teams listing.

Unlike it's male counterpart of late, this one seems to lack the controversy that can drive interest and excitement. The most controversy that exists is still within the US team from two years ago when the highly charged Dottie Pepper, a US Solheim legend, in her capacity as golf commentator, referred to the US team as "Chokin', freakin' dogs" during a low point in the '07 matches. Ms Pepper unfortunately forgot the axiom that any microphone within range should be considered an open microphone. Perhaps some tension will develop on the course with spirited play. It would serve to pique my interest level to see a little personal competitiveness. "Nice shot, nice shot, pick it up" is a recipe for an early nap. Davies and Alfredsson can spark the Euros while Creamer and Christina Kim are more than capable of the same for the US.

Team match play often comes down to pairings, the Woods/Mickleson pairing in the Ryder Cup being a prime example of the negative buddy system. I see a Wie/Creamer or Wie/Kim as being a lightning rod for some action. For a greater analysis of the players and potential pairing you must read The Constructivist's article at Mostly Harmless. This scion of women's golf has forgotten more about the LPGA and LET than I know.

It may be almost time to rethink the relevancy of the USA/Europe match up as the world's #1 player is Mexican and the dominant country is South Korea. Regardless, there's some tradition sewn into these matches and that discussion can be back- burnered for a bit. Let's hope for some good weather, compelling matches and enjoy the fact that professional athletes are playing for their respective countries, not for mind numbing purses with even second place prizes that create instant tax problems. Enjoy.




Til' next,

Eun Hee Ji Nails 20 Foot Birdie Putt on 72nd Hole to Claim '09 US Women's Open.

Now that's how to win a golf major. Roll in a 20 foot birdie to prevent a playoff. Over, done. Responding to the pressure cooker that is a major championship, Eun Hee Ji had her butterflies flying in formation. The 20 yr. old South Korean launched her career forward by calmly stroking the winning putt to edge hard-charging Candie Kung and become 64th US Women's Open champion. Ji captured the prize in just her 2nd try having finished T42 in last year's Open. She survived a tenuous early start by birdieing 3 of her last 6 holes, including the 72nd and most crucial. Ji ended her round at even par 284, the aforementioned one stroke better than Kung. Ji's playing partner, third round leader Cristie Kerr, carded a final round +4, 75, and tied for 3rd with In-Kyung Kim. Suzann Petersen, Ai Miyazato, and Paula Creamer were locked together in 4th place. Brittany Lincicome's -1, 70, was good enough to land her solo 5th. Upstart crowd favorite and Futures Tour player Jean Reynolds wilted in the final round heat to a +6, 77, but impressed with her ability on a long, tough golf course. Final Full Field Scores.

The truth is that starting the day it was Kerr's tournament to win or lose. Saucon Valley Country Club was softened somewhat by overnight rains, but the diabolical greens regained their bite as the day progressed and they dried. The fact that the winning score was even par is testament to the course and the layout as dictated by the USGA. The 6,740 yard, par 71 behemoth was a true test marked by +400 yard par fours and a 210 yard par three. Chipping on in three and one putting for par was the nom du jour. Survival of the fittest. That's pretty much exactly what you'd want your national champion to claim. A 20 foot birdie putt on the last hole for all the marbles. How do you beat that? You don't. Congratulations to Eun Hee Ji!




Til' next,

2008 Women's British Open - Predictions.

Prediction #1. Michelle Wie won't win. Nor will Nancy Lopez. After that it's a crapshoot of sorts with a bevy of players elevating their games and some of the superstars showing a few chinks in their armor. After yesterday's post detailing the favorites with the oddsmakers, I've narrowed it down to my favorite five. Welcome to the land of the considered. I've placed them in reverse order to make you read a little more. Here they are in best Karnac fashion....

5. Paula Creamer - Tough and gritty. Doesn't appear so from the outside. Lack of length off the tee won't hurt on a 6,408 yd. course. Sometimes tightens in the heat of a battle. Others don't.

4. Cristie Kerr - No one will want it more. May be in there at the end. Keep in mind that all my Top 5 have a chance.

3. Lorena Ochoa - Hard to put her 3rd. By far the best women's player. Just a little off of late, which is still good enough to beat most.

2. Angela Park - A hunch more than anything, although she has results to justify. Maybe I'm just mesmorized by her swing.

1. Ya-Ni Tseng - Adds to her major trophy case. Who would have thought a rookie would capture two majors in 2008. Your 2008 RICOH Women's British Open winner.

Be aware that this field is fairly wide open with the best women's golf has to offer. Plenty of other players not mentioned here are legitimate contenders. The way my picks have gone lately, one of them will surely win.

*Average Golfer Observation.....It's a real travesty that the nets have devoted only 7 1/2 hours coverage out of four days of a women's major, with a scant 1 1/2 hours from ABC on Saturday, and just two hours for the Sunday finale. What happened? Is their a badminton tourney somewhere?

Til' next,

2008 U.S. Women's Open - Odds, Predictions, Useful Stuff.

Interlachen Country Club in Edina, MN hosts this year's U.S. Women's Open. Cristie Kerr defends. Interlachen is an old history laden course having been the site of Bobby Jones' 1930 U.S. Open victory as well as the site of the 2002 Solheim Cup. It will play to 6,789 yards, rather long in women's golf. It's a par 73 with five par fives, four considered reachable. That in itself should make for good action and movement of the field. Fairways will be 25-28 yards wide. That coupled with a generous amount of surrounding trees will allow this event to play out in true U.S. Open fashion. Length, but with necessary accuracy, will identify a true champion. And of course the most important requirement, putting, will decide the last woman standing on Sunday. Or Monday, as we've seen lately.

Here's the top players as established by Ladbrokes, our constant assistant here at Average Golfer. As usual, AG will add a little useful commentary to shake out the field. Here we go........

Lorena Ochoa, 7/4 ..... What's to say? She's long, accurate, and the world #1. Putter gets a little dicey from time to time, especially on short ones. Should win.

Annika Sorenstam, 9/1 ..... Swan song. If she wins it'll be her 4th Open, tying her all-time for the most. She'll be down the middle. Needs to hit her approaches closer than of late and putter better get back to the old Annika. Can win.

Suzann Petersen, 16/1 ..... Gave it away last week. Solid bounce back ability though. Long enough for the course. Excellent chance.

Jeong Jang, 20/1 ..... Solid all-around. Doesn't panic. Two 2nds, two 3rds, in her last six. Could win.

Ji-Yai Shin, 20/1 ..... Plays on the Korean LPGA tour. Finished 6th last year in the U.S. Open. Could make a splash.

Paula Creamer, 20/1 ..... Length off tee might hurt some. Great iron player, maybe the best out here. If she stays out of trouble, who knows? Has a winner's attitude.

Cristie Kerr, 25/1 ..... Never count her out. Dogged determination. As defender I like her with these odds. Hangs in the top ten almost every time she plays.

Karrie Webb, 25/1 ..... Always a threat, especially in the big ones. Another great iron player. Needs a hot putter. Could win.

Yani Tseng, 25/1 ..... Won a major this year, McDonald's L.P.G.A. Championship. Ice water in her veins. I like her here a lot. Could win.

Hee-Won Han, 40/1 ..... Coming off a 3rd at Wegman's last week. 6th at Kraft Nabisco. Long shot.

Morgan Pressel, 40/1 ..... Won't lose for lack of effort or emotion. Seriously, too short off the tee to contend.

Seon Hwa Lee, 40/1 ..... Won the Ginn Tribute earlier this month. Undervalued at 40/1. Has a good shot this week.

Julie Inkster, 50/1 ..... Always surprises. Gritty. I'd love to see her win. Hasn't played much recently. Don't count her out though. Slim chance.

Jee Young Lee, 50/1 ..... Long hitter. That will help. 2nd at Safeway. Missed the cut last week. Don't really have an opinion about her chances.

Maria Hjorth, 50/1 ..... Surprised at the long odds. Has the power for the course. 2nd at McDonald's, so can play on the big stage. I like her as a sleeper pick. Could win.

Mi Hyun Kim, 50/1 ..... 1st Kim on the board. Recent 3rd at L.P.G.A. Corning Classic. Only 239 yds. off the tee will hurt here. Tremendous putter. Long shot due to length.



There's 156 women teeing off on Thursday. Unfortunately I can't highlight them all. Suprises from the field are a foregone conclusion.

AG's long shots to watch for.........

Michelle Wie ..... Got here the right way. 36 holes of qualifying. Starting to show signs of the player she was two years ago. Hey, you never know.

Brittany Lincicome ..... Huge game. It's just disappeared a little lately. OK, a lot.

Nicole Castrale ..... I expected her higher on the tote board. I think you're going to hear her name a lot in the future.

Angela Stanford ..... May just surprise a lot of folks. Has big time experience.

Birdie Kim ..... Has a U.S. Open under her belt. That proves she can do it. Never count out a previous winner, unless it's the Masters.
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AG personal favorite.........Laura Davies, 59 consecutive majors, longest active streak. Still hits it a long way. Let's hope they're straight this week.

With all that out of the way, Average Golfer's pick to win the 2008 U.S. Women's Open is Suzann Pettersen. Girl's got all kinds of game. I think blowing the win last week has her seriously mad. She'll channel the anger into a solid major victory this week.

Enjoy what should be a can't miss golf weekend! ESPN covers the 1st two days, NBC picks up for the weekend.

Til' next,

*Keep a eye on 13 year old Alexis Thompson. This is her 2nd US Open! (Little twerp). She qualified last year as a 12 year old. That's enough for me to put my clubs on E Bay. Alexis say she's grown five inches since last year and is hitting it much longer. I'll bet she is!