POND: TSENG CRUSHES FIELD AT LOCUST HILL

YANI TSENG

Yani Tseng made two things perfectly clear Sunday after closing out the fourth major championship of her young career.

First, the 22-year-old Chinese Taipei star is the undeniable, new face of the LPGA Tour. And the second thing? Tseng's opponents better step up their respective games if they plan on contending with the sport's most dominant player since Annika Sorenstam.

Tseng wired the field, closing with a 6-under-par 66 on her way to an 11-stroke victory at Locust Hill Country Club. American standout Morgan Pressel was the next closest, finishing at 8 under for the event.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Suzann Pettersen - all among our top-10 contenders prior to the start of the tournament - finished in a tie for third place at 7 under par.

Jiyai Shin, our pick to win this week in suburban Rochester, N.Y., struggled with consistency and settled for a share of 34th place after finishing tied for third a year ago.

Here is a look at the 10 players we labeled contenders at the start of the event and how they have fared:

YANI TSENG

Finish: First (-19, 269)

Final round: -6, 66 ... Eight birdies/two bogeys

Third round: First (-5, 67) ... Six birdies/one bogey

Second round: First (-2, 70) ... Five birdies/one bogey/one double

First round: First (-6, 66) ... Eight birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied 19th (+1)

 

CRISTIE KERR

Finish: Tied for 3rd (-8, 280)

Final round: -3, 69 ... One eagle/three birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 5th (-5, 67) ... Five birdies/no bogeys

Second round: Tied for 38th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: First (-19)

 

PAULA CREAMER

Finish: Tied for 3rd (-8, 280)

Final round: Tied for 5th (-1, 71) ... Four birdies/one bogey

Third round: Even, 72 ... No birdies/no bogeys

Second round: Tied for 6th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Second (-5, 67) ... Five birdies/no bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 42nd (+4)

 

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Finish: Tied for 3rd  (-8, 267)

Final round: -5, 67 ... Six birdies/one bogey

Third round: Tied for 16th (-3, 69) ... Six birdies/three bogeys

Second round: Tied for 38th (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... One birdie/one bogey

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 11th (-2)

 

STACY LEWIS

Finish: Tied for 6th (-6, 282)

Final round: -1, 71 ... Four birdies/three bogeys

Third round: Tied for 5th (-2, 70) ... Five birdies/one bogey/one double

Second round: Tied for 10th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/two bogeys/one double

First round: Tied for 7th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

 

I.K. KIM

Finish: Tied for 12th (-4, 282)

Final round: E, 72 ... Four birdies/four bogeys

Third round: Tied for 9th (-4, 68) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

Second round: Tied for 29th (-2, 70) ... Four birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Four birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

 

KARRIE WEBB

Finish: Tied for 20th (-2, 286)

Final round: E, 72 ... Two birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 21st (-1, 71) ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Second round: Tied for 29th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Two birdies/two bogeys/one double

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

 

BRITTANY LINCICOME

Finish: Tied for 20th (-2, 286)

Final round: -3, 69 ... Six birdies/three bogeys

Third round: Tied for 41st (-1, 71) ... Five birdies/four bogeys

Second round: Tied for 65th (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

 

JIYAI SHIN

Finish: Tied for 34th (+1, 289)

Final round: -2, 70 ... One eagle/two birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 54th (+1, 73) ... Two birdies/three bogeys

Second round: Tied for 65th (-1, 71) ... Four birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... One birdie/four bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 3rd (-5)

 

SANDRA GAL

Position: Tied for 108th (+5, 149) ... Missed cut

Second round: +2, 74 ... One eagle/one birdie/two bogeys/one triple

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... Two birdies/three bogeys/one double

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: HJORTH, MIYAZATO EARN TOP-10 FINISHES

MIKA MIYAZATO

Mika Miyazato and Maria Hjorth lived up to their billing as part of our "sleeper" contenders, each finishing tied for eighth place Sunday in the final round of the Wegmans LPGA Championship in Pittsford, N.Y.

Miyazato and Hjorth both carded scores of 1-under-par 71 at Locust Hill Country Club, closing out their solid tournaments. For Miyazato, it was an even more important showing as the Japanese standout earned her place in the CME Group Titleholders event beginning November 17 in Orlando, Fla.

Take a look at how the overall group fared throughout the tour's second major championship of the season:

MIKA MIYAZATO

Finish: Tied for 8th (-5, 283)

Final round: -1, 71 ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 9th (-4, 68) ... Six birdies/two bogeys
Second round: Tied for 38th (Even, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: 13th place (-1)

MARIA HJORTH

Finish: Tied for 8th (-5, 283)

Final round: -1, 71 ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 9th (-2, 70) ... Three birdies/one bogey
Second round: Tied for 19th (-1, 71) ... Five birdies/two bogeys/one double

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... Three birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

ANGELA STANFORD

Finish: Tied for 30th (Even, 288)

Final round: +2, 74 ... Two birdies/four bogeys

Third round: Tied for 21st (+2, 74) ... One birdie/three bogeys
Second round: Ninth (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 3rd (-4, 68) ... Five birdies/one bogey

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

SOPHIE GUSTAFSON

Finish: Tied for 57th (+4, 292)

Final round: -1, 71 ... Four birdies/one bogey/one double

Third round: Tied for 66th (+4, 76) ... Two birdies/four bogeys/one double
Second round: Tied for 50th (E, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Five birdies/one bogey

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

VICKY HURST

Position: Tied for 92nd (+4, 148) ... Missed cut

Second round: +5, 77 ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... One birdie/six bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 54th (+6)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

TSENG SETS RECORD EN ROUTE TO MAJOR CROWN

YANI TSENG

PITTSFORD, N.Y. - Yani Tseng wasn't satisfied with merely winning the LPGA Championship and, at 22, becoming the youngest to win four LPGA majors.

Once she made the turn with a 10-stroke lead Sunday, the best female player in the world set her sights on making a little more history.

"I was like, what's a new goal for me?" Tseng said. "And that's why I told myself I wanted to set a record, to make 20 under."

She missed by one stroke in what was the only minor blemish in one of the most dominating performances to date from Tseng.

In closing with a 6-under 66 to finish at 19-under 269 at Locust Hill Country Club, Tseng matched the LPGA record low at a major, most recently by Cristie Kerr a year ago when she shot the same score to win the tournament by 12 strokes. Dottie Pepper (1999 Kraft Nabisco) and Karen Stupples (2004 Women's British Open) also finished at 19 under.

There is one mark Tseng can claim as her own by bettering Se Ri Pak, who was 24 when she won her fourth major. By comparison, Tiger Woods didn't win his fourth until he was 24. And Tseng's well ahead of her idol, Annika Sorenstam, who was 24 when she won the first of her 10 majors - the 1995 U.S. Women's Open.

"It's very special," Tseng said. "Now I'm thinking about a grand slam."

It's one step at a time for the top-ranked Tseng, who won her second LPGA Championship and has won three of the tour's last six majors. The only major she's missing is the U.S. Women's Open title, which she'll have an opportunity to complete her career slam in two weeks at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Morgan Pressel (71) finished second. Kerr (69), Suzann Pettersen (67) and Paula Creamer (69) tied for third at 8 under.

"Pretty unbelievable," said Kerr, who rallied late with a birdie on No. 16 and an eagle on 17. "Yani's doing what I did last year. Obviously, it's hard to beat. I'm not surprised. Yani's a great player."

Pressel initially thought she'd have an outside chance to catch Tseng before the final round began. Pressel dropped that hope once she dropped a shot with a bogey on No. 2.

"It's definitely a dominating performance," Pressel said. "She didn't make many mistakes out there."

Tseng didn't, in claiming $375,000 at the $2.5 million event. Wearing a smile for much of the day, Tseng raised her arms and tipped her hat as she was greeted by the gallery upon arriving at the 18th green.

After a bogey on No. 1, which she chalked up to nerves, Tseng reeled off five birdies on her next seven holes to run away from the field. Tseng added three more birdies on the back nine, while bogeying 13, and had a chance to get to 20, before missing a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 18.

"The birdie on No. 2, it felt like a turning point for me because I bogeyed the first hole," Tseng said. "It was huge for me."

Tseng went wire-to-wire as the tournament leader after opening with rounds of 66, 70 and 67. In holding one-shot leads after each of the first two rounds, Tseng began running away from the field on Saturday in building a five-shot edge.

Tseng finished with 27 birdies, six bogeys and a double bogey. She hit 38 of 56 fairways and 57 of 72 greens in regulation.

No one else was close. Tseng's playing partner, Cindy LaCrosse, unraveled. She was 5 over on Sunday to tumble into 14th.

Pettersen had the best round among those at the top of the leaderboard, getting to 9 under for the tournament before a bogey on No. 18.

"I think I started too late in this tournament," Pettersen said, while also acknowledging Tseng's performance. "You take her out of consideration and I think the rest of us were fighting for second and third."

For the star from Taiwan, it was her eighth career LPGA Tour victory, second in a row and third of the season. She has three other victories this year, sweeping the Australian Open and Masters and winning in Taiwan.

With four majors, she moved into a tie for 15th among women with four majors, joining a group of six others, including Laura Davies and Meg Mallon.

"She's only 22," Kerr said, noting she played with Tseng in South Korea about seven years ago. "We knew she was going to be good. I didn't know she would be this good. She is pretty dang good."

Tseng is good friends with Sorenstam, and even bought the retired star's home in Florida two years ago.

Sorenstam paid tribute, calling Tseng "The new face of the LPGA," in a phone interview with Golf Channel during the final round.

Tseng noted she received a text from Sorenstam earlier in the day.

"She texted me, 'Great playing. Bring the trophy home,'" Tseng said. "I was smiling, saying, `Yeah, I will."


- Story by The Associated Press/Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: TSENG SLAMMING DOOR ON MAJOR CROWN

YANI TSENG

Yani Tseng is delivering her best imitation of Cristie Kerr at this year's Wegmans LPGA Championship in Pittsford, N.Y.

Just a year ago, Kerr recorded a record-breaking, 12-stroke victory in the major tournament. A year later, Tseng has essentially slammed the door on the field as she takes a comfortable five-stroke advantage into Sunday's final round at the Locust Hill Country Club.

Kerr did her finest to get back into contention, carding a bogey-free, 5-under 67 to move into a tie for fifth place. However, Kerr sits eight shots back and will probably have to go even lower Sunday to have a chance at repeating as champion.

Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer also stand at 5 under par, with I.K. Kim leading a group of seven players all at 4 under for the tournament.

Here is a look at the 10 players we labeled contenders at the start of the event and how they have fared thus far in the tournament:

YANI TSENG

Position: First (-13, 203)

Third round: -5, 67 ... Six birdies/one bogey

Second round: First (-2, 70) ... Five birdies/one bogey/one double

First round: First (-6, 66) ... Eight birdies/two bogeys

Sunday tee time: 2:40 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied 19th (+1)

 

CRISTIE KERR

Position: Tied for 5th (-5, 211)

Third round: -5, 67 ... Five birdies/no bogeys

Second round: Tied for 38th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

Sunday tee time: 2:24 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: First (-19)

 

PAULA CREAMER

Position: Tied for 5th (-5, 211)

Third round: Even, 72 ... No birdies/no bogeys

Second round: Tied for 6th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Second (-5, 67) ... Five birdies/no bogeys

Sunday tee time: 2:16 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 42nd (+4)

 

STACY LEWIS

Position: Tied for 5th (-5, 211)

Third round: -2, 70 ... Five birdies/one bogey/one double

Second round: Tied for 10th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/two bogeys/one double

First round: Tied for 7th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

Sunday tee time: 2:24 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

 

I.K. KIM

Position: Tied for 9th (-4, 212)

Third round: -4, 68 ... Five birdies/two bogeys

Second round: Tied for 29th (-2, 70) ... Four birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Four birdies/two bogeys

Sunday tee time: 1:52 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

 

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Position: Tied for 16th  (-3, 213)

Third round: -3, 69 ... Six birdies/three bogeys

Second round: Tied for 38th (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... One birdie/one bogey

Sunday tee time: 1:36 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 11th (-2)

 

KARRIE WEBB

Position: Tied for 21st (-2, 214)

Third round: -1, 71 ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Second round: Tied for 29th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Two birdies/two bogeys/one double

Sunday tee time: 1:12 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

 

BRITTANY LINCICOME

Position: Tied for 41st (+1, 217)

Third round: -1, 71 ... Five birdies/four bogeys

Second round: Tied for 65th (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

Sunday tee time: 11:44 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

 

JIYAI SHIN

Position: Tied for 54th (+3, 219)

Third round: +1, 73 ... Two birdies/three bogeys

Second round: Tied for 65th (-1, 71) ... Four birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... One birdie/four bogeys

Sunday tee time: 10:48 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 3rd (-5)

 

SANDRA GAL

Position: Tied for 108th (+5, 149) ... Missed cut

Second round: +2, 74 ... One eagle/one birdie/two bogeys/one triple

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... Two birdies/three bogeys/one double

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: HJORTH, MIYAZATO SHINE IN SLEEPER GROUP

MARIA HJORTH

Maria Hjorth and Mika Miyazato continued their respective charges up the Wegmans LPGA Championship leaderboard Saturday during the third round of play in Pittsford, N.Y.

The Swedish and Japanese standouts lead a group of seven all at 4 under par entering the final round of play Sunday at Locust Hill Country Club.

Miyazato had one of the best rounds Saturday, firing a 4-under 68 to move up 29 spots on the leaderboard. Hjorth carded a 2-under 70 for her 18 holes, giving her three consecutive days of shooting under par for the tournament.

Angela Stanford started the day in ninth place, but a 2-over 74 knocked her out of contention as she stands at 2 under for the tournament and  strokes behind leader Yani Tseng.

Take a look at how the overall group fared in the third round of the tour's second major championship of the season:

MIKA MIYAZATO

Position: Tied for 9th (-4, 212)

Third round: -4, 68 ... Six birdies/two bogeys
Second round: Tied for 38th (Even, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

Sunday tee time: 2:08 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: 13th place (-1)

MARIA HJORTH

Position: Tied for 9th (-4, 212)

Third round: -2, 70 ... Three birdies/one bogey
Second round: Tied for 19th (-1, 71) ... Five birdies/two bogeys/one double

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Sunday tee time: 1:52 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

ANGELA STANFORD

Position: Tied for 21st (-2, 214)

Third round: +2, 74 ... One birdie/three bogeys
Second round: Ninth (Even, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 3rd (-4, 68) ... Five birdies/one bogey

Sunday tee time: 12:48 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

SOPHIE GUSTAFSON

Position: Tied for 66th (+5, 221)

Third round: (+4, 76) ... Two birdies/four bogeys/one double
Second round: Tied for 50th (Even, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Five birdies/one bogey

Sunday tee time: 9:44 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

VICKY HURST

Position: Tied for 92nd (+4, 148) ... Missed cut

Second round: +5, 77 ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... One birdie/six bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 54th (+6)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

TSENG STRETCHES LEAD AT LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

YANI TSENG

PITTSFORD, N.Y. - Yani Tseng extended her lead at the LPGA Championship on Saturday, putting the 22-year-old star a round away from winning her fourth major title.

The top-ranked Tseng shot a 5-under 67 to extend her lead to five strokes at 13-under 203 after the third round at Locust Hill Country Club outside Rochester.

American Morgan Pressel (70) and Cindy LaCrosse (69) were tied for second, and Hee Young Park (72) was seven shots behind Tseng. Defending champion Cristie Kerr matched Tseng with a third-round best 67 to join Stacy Lewis (70), Meena Lee (70) and Paula Creamer at 5 under.

Tseng, who turned 22 in January, was a round away from becoming the youngest to win four major golf tournaments. She also won LPGA Championship during her rookie-of-the-year season in 2008, when the event was played at Bulle Rock in Maryland, and took the Kraft Nabisco and Women's British Open last year.

Tiger Woods and Se Ri Pak were 24 when they won their fourth majors.

Tseng has seven career LPGA Tour wins, and has already won twice this year, including the State Farm Classic two weeks ago. She also has three international victories this year, sweeping the Women's Australian Open and Australian Ladies Masters.

She also finished second at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April, losing to Lewis after taking a two-shot lead into the final round. It was a tournament in which Tseng might have jinxed herself by grabbing the championship trophy as she stepped to the first tee upon opening the final round.

Acknowledging that she's learned her lesson, Tseng joked that she has no intention of coming anywhere near the LPGA trophy before the final round is over Sunday.

There was little she did wrong Saturday, in a round played under overcast conditions for much of the afternoon. Intermittent rain over the past couple days softened the greens, but the wind picked up in the afternoon making it difficult to navigate the tight fairways and reach the small greens.

A day after she twice missed from within 3 feet, including an 18-incher for bogey on No. 18, Tseng was more consistent with her putting.

On Saturday, she sank a 6-foot putt for birdie on No. 9, and then scrambled to save par with a pair of 4-footers on Nos. 10 and 11. Then came a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-4 12th and a 14-footer on No. 13 to go to 12 under for the tournament, and extend her lead by five shots at that time.

Her only real miscue was an errant tee-shot into the left rough on No. 14 that led to a bogey 5. Tseng responded on the next hole, with a 4-foot putt for birdie. She also birdied Nos. 2 and 15 and 17.
No one else could make up any ground.

LaCrosse scrambled to shoot 3 under in a round that featured six birdies and three bogeys. In her second year on tour, her best career finish was a tie for 11th at the Shop Rite Classic three weeks ago.

At Louisville, she was a two-time Big East champion. And she also won three times on the Futures Tour.

"My game plan's kind of the same. I'm still trying to hit the fairways and greens," said LaCrosse, who will be paired with Tseng in the final round. "You never know what (Tseng) is going to do. She's an amazing player. I just kind of have to focus on what I'm going to do."

Pressel is still in the hunt in seeking her third career win and first since 2008.

Kerr appeared to finally shake off the flu bug that was bothering her this week.

Making the turn at 1 under on Saturday, she birdied four of her final nine holes, including 17 and 18.

"I scrambled my rear off," Kerr said of her first nine, which included 15-foot par-saving putt on the par-3 fifth hole. "I'm just proud of myself for the way I hung in there today and gave myself a chance to shoot a good score to get back in it."

Kerr isn't counting herself out after she ran away with the tournament last year in finishing with a 19-under 269 to win by a whopping 12 strokes.

"I think I will be within striking distance, but I would have to put up another round like this tomorrow," she said. "If I can hit a lot of greens, then I'll have a chance."

Pat Hurst, who opened the day in second, shot a 75 to drop into a tie for ninth.

- Story by The Associated Press/Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: TSENG KEEPS SLIGHT EDGE IN OUR TEN BEST

YANI TSENG

Yani Tseng might not have played her best golf Friday during the second round of the Wegmans LPGA Championship.

However, the Chinese Taipei star was good enough to maintain her lead heading into the weekend as she looks for her fourth major title.

Tseng packaged five birdies, a bogey and a rare double bogey - on the 18th hole- on her way to chalking up a 2-under-par 70, giving her a one-shot edge over surging Pat Hurst at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y.

Former major champions Paula Creamer and Stacy Lewis are among those lurking behind the leaders, with Creamer sitting tied for sixth place at 3 under and Lewis highlighting a group of 10 contenders at 1 under par.

Here is a look at the 10 players we deemed prime contenders at the start of the event and how they fared during Friday's second-round action of the tournament:

YANI TSENG

Position: First (-8, 136)

Second round: -2, 70 ... Five birdies/one bogey/one double

First round: First (-6, 66) ... Eight birdies/two bogeys

Saturday tee time: 2:40 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied 19th (+1)

PAULA CREAMER

Position: Tied for 6th (-5, 139)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Second (-5, 67) ... Five birdies/no bogeys

Saturday tee time: 2:13 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 42nd (+4)

STACY LEWIS

Position: Tied for 10th (-3, 141)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Four birdies/two bogeys/one double

First round: Tied for 7th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

Saturday tee time: 1:28 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

I.K. KIM

Position: Tied for 29th (-1, 143)

Second round: -2, 70 ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Four birdies/two bogeys

Saturday tee time: 12:07 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

KARRIE WEBB

Position: Tied for 29th (-1, 143)

Second round: -3, 69 ... Five birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Two birdies/two bogeys/one double

Saturday tee time: 12:16 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

CRISTIE KERR

Position: Tied for 38th (E, 144)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

Saturday tee time: 11:13 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: First (-19)

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Position: Tied for 38th  (E, 144)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... One birdie/one bogey

Saturday tee time: 11:04 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 11th (-2)

BRITTANY LINCICOME

Position: Tied for 65th (+2, 146)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

Saturday tee time: 8:58 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

JIYAI SHIN

Position: Tied for 65th (+2, 146)

Second round: -1, 71 ... Four birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... One birdie/four bogeys

Saturday tee time: 9:16 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 3rd (-5)

SANDRA GAL

Position: Tied for 108th (+5, 149) ... Missed cut

Second round: +2, 74 ... One eagle/one birdie/two bogeys/one triple

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... Two birdies/three bogeys/one double

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: STANFORD IN HUNT FOR LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

ANGELA STANFORD

So much for being one of our sleepers, folks.

Angela Stanford has put herself in contention to win her first major title this week at the Wegmans LPGA Championship in Pittsford, N.Y.

Stanford continued her strong play Friday, battling her way to an even-par 72 in the second round to put her alone in ninth place at the midway point of the event at Locust Hill Country Club. The American standout stands just four shots behind leader Yani Tseng heading into Saturday's third round of play.

Stanford is looking for first win since 2009 and fifth overall of her career.

Sweden's Maria Hjorth has played well, positioning herself for a weekend run at the championship after carding a second consecutive 1-under 71 for a share of 19th place.

Take a look at how the group fared in the second round of the tour's second major championship of the season:

ANGELA STANFORD

Position: Ninth (-4, 140)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 3rd (-4, 68) ... Five birdies/one bogey

Saturday tee time: 1:55 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

MARIA HJORTH

Position: Tied for 19th (-2, 142)

Second round: -1, 71 ... Five birdies/two bogeys/one double

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Saturday tee time: 12:43 p.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

MIKA MIYAZATO

Position: Tied for 38th (E, 144)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Two birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

Friday tee time: 11:04 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: 13th place (-1)

SOPHIE GUSTAFSON

Position: Tied for 50th (+1, 145)

Second round: Even, 72 ... Two birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Five birdies/one bogey

Friday tee time: 10:01 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

VICKY HURST

Position: Tied for 92nd (+4, 148) ... Missed cut

Second round: +5, 77 ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... One birdie/six bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 54th (+6)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

TSENG CLINGS TO LEAD AT LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

YANI TSENG

PITTSFORD, N.Y. - After seeing her lead disappear in the morning session, Yani Tseng fought her way back into a place where she's been plenty comfortable this year.

The top-ranked Tseng overcame a double bogey on her ninth hole to shoot a 2-under 70 on Friday for a one-stroke lead over Pat Hurst after the second round of the LPGA Championship, the tour's second major of the year.

Hurst had a 67. Morgan Pressel, Minea Blomqvist, and Hee Young Park were 6 under after 69s.

Battling a torrential downpour then a steady drizzle for nearly half her first nine holes, Tseng followed her first-round-best 66 with a gritty performance that put her at 8 under overall. She won the LPGA State Farm Classic two weeks ago for her second LPGA Tour victory of the year, and could become the first player since Lorena Ochoa in 2008 to follow a regular tournament victory with a win in a major.

"I feel a little bit disappointed in my round, but I hung in there," Tseng said. "I missed some short putts, and that's very disappointing. But I still have the lead, and I'm still very excited."

Hurst played in the morning before the heavy rain hit Locust Hill Country Club, and took a one-stroke lead before Tseng teed off on the back nine in the early afternoon.

Tseng shook off the inclement weather by reeling off three straight birdies to open a two-stoke edge over Hurst, but Tseng's game suddenly soured at the par-4 18th after her drive went into the left rough and under a tree, forcing her to punch out.

A nifty approach shot that stopped about 3 feet from the hole left her with a chance to salvage a bogey, but her putt rimmed out, and left her looking at the hole in disbelief.

She promptly regained her focus and grabbed the lead with a birdie at No. 1.

"I told myself, 'I have to make birdie,'" she said. "I looked up to the sky, kept my head up, and was thinking positive."

Tseng fell back into a tie with Hurst and eventually Pressel after bogeying her 14th hole, but at No. 8 she made the last of her five birdies on the day to head into the weekend with a slim lead.

Unlike Tseng, Hurst gave plenty of credit to her play on the green. She made two long putts on the day, including a 40-footer on her 17th hole (No. 8) that gave her a brief two-stroke edge over Tseng.

"I feel like I've been hitting the ball really well...the bottom line is not making any putts," said Hurst, who hasn't won a tournament since 2009. "I'm just thinking about playing some good golf and making some putts."

Hurst also holed a chip shot from the light fringe on No. 15 after her approach shot went over the green.
"I would really be excited if it was Sunday," she joked. "I've gained a little bit of confidence out there and feeling good."

Pressel moved into a brief second-place tie with Hurst after she birdied the par-5 17th hole, but she then bogeyed 18 to fall back into third.

"I felt good out there and made a lot of good swings," she said. "I feel like I can keep the ball in play."

Defending champion Cristie Kerr shot her second straight 72 to make the cut. Michelle Wie also opened with consecutive 72s.

- Story by The Associated Press/Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: TSENG, CREAMER PACING OUR TEN BEST

YANI TSENG

Same story, different tournament.

At least that's the way it was for Yani Tseng during opening-round action Thursday at the Wegmans LPGA Championship in Pittsford, N.Y., as the world's No. 1-ranked player roared to a 6-under-par 66 to capture a one-stroke edge over Paula Creamer in the second major championship of the season.

Tseng was almost flawless again, carding eight birdies and just two bogeys on the day to get her in the clubhouse before inclement weather wreaked havoc on the late groups teeing off at Locust Hill Country Club.

Creamer was flawless Thursday, firing a bogey-free 67 to put her alone in second place after one round of action.The American standout - arguably the most popular player on the tour - seems to be on her game as she looks to win the second major championship of her career.

Fellow American Stacy Lewis sits just three strokes behind Tseng, claiming a share of seventh place after her 69 in the opening round.

Here is a look at the 10 players we deemed major contenders at the start of the event and how they fared during the first round of the tournament:

YANI TSENG

First round: First (-6, 66) ... Eight birdies/two bogeys

Friday tee time: 1:09 p.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied 19th (+1)

PAULA CREAMER

First round: Second (-5, 67) ... Five birdies/no bogeys

Friday tee time: 1:20 p.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 42nd (+4)

STACY LEWIS

First round: Tied for 7th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

Friday tee time: 9:05 a.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

CRISTIE KERR

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

Friday tee time: 12:58 p.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: First (-19)

SUZANN PETTERSEN

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

Friday tee time: 1:20 p.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 11th (-2)

I.K. KIM

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Three birdies/four bogeys

Friday tee time: 8:54 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

BRITTANY LINCICOME

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Three birdies/five bogeys

Friday tee time: 12:58 p.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

KARRIE WEBB

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Two birdies/two bogeys/one double

Friday tee time: 9:27 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

SANDRA GAL

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... Two birdies/three bogeys/one double

Friday tee time: 1:20 p.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

JIYAI SHIN

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... One birdie/four bogeys

Friday tee time: 9:05 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 3rd (-5)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: STANFORD LEADS WAY IN 'SLEEPER' PACK

ANGELA STANFORD

Here are the five players we thought could surprise the field this week at the Wegmans LPGA Championship at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y.

Needless to say, all are in contention after one round of action, with Angela Stanford leading the way following her opening 4-under-par 68 to grab a share of third place.

Take a look at how the group fared in the first round of the tour's second major championship of the season:

ANGELA STANFORD

First round: Tied for 3rd (-4, 68) ... Five birdies/one bogey

Friday tee time: 8:54 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

VICKY HURST

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Friday tee time: 9:05 a.m./Tee No. 10
2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 54th (+6)

MARIA HJORTH

First round: Tied for 22nd (-1, 71) ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Friday tee time: 8:32 a.m./Tee No. 1

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

MIKA MIYAZATO

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Two birdies/two bogeys

Friday tee time: 8:54 a.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: 13th place (-1)

SOPHIE GUSTAFSON

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Five birdies/one bogey

Friday tee time: 8:54 a.m./Tee No. 10

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

TSENG SOARS TO LEAD AT LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

YANI TSENG

PITTSFORD, N.Y. - Top-ranked Yani Tseng shot a 6-under 66 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over Paula Creamer in the first round of the LPGA Championship.

Meena Lee, Angela Stanford, Diana D'Alessio and Stacy Prammanasudh were 4 under, and Morgan Pressel, Stacy Lewis, Ryann O'Toole, Amy Hung, Hee Young Park, Jennifer Johnson and Maria Blomqvist were all at 3 under.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr, who was ailing with a light case of the flu, shot an even-par 72.

Play was halted in the early evening by a severe thunderstorm, but resumed at 7:39 p.m. EST with 58 players still on the course. Play was suspended until Friday at 9:12 p.m. EST, with six players still having not finished their opening rounds.

Tseng made five birdies on the front nine and three more on the back to go with a pair of bogeys. She recovered from a bad tee shot at the par-4 18th hole that landed in the thick right rough, hit her second shot to 4 feet, and drained the birdie putt for sole possession of the lead.

Tseng won the LPGA State Farm Classic on June 12 for her second victory of the year.

- The Associated Press

UPDATES COMING FROM LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

We will have plenty of coverage later today following the conclusion of the opening round of the Wegmans LPGA Championship at Locust Hill Country Club. Yani Tseng, the world's top-ranked player fresh off a win in the LPGA State Farm Classic, is the clubhouse leader with a stellar 6-under-par 66 and sits one stroke ahead of Amrican star Paula Creamer on a surprising day of action.

Analysis, predictions, first-round story and a look ahead at what to expect in Friday's second round will be coming your way.

~ Jeremy Pond

POND: SHIN TO OUTLAST KERR, FIELD FOR CROWN

JIYAI SHIN


Predicting a winner in any golf tournament that didn't feature Annika Sorenstam was always a real crapshot. Throwing darts at a board littered with players' names gave you just as good a chance of picking a winner as sitting around hours studying statistics, past performances and other methods of trying to correctly prognosticate the champion did.

With Sorenstam now long since retired, there is no star atop the women's game. However, there is a pretty consistent group of players finding their way into the top 10 of each tournament. And I see, for the most part, that group of stars dominating the upper part of the leaderboard this week at the Wegmans LPGA Championship.

Cristie Kerr is hoping to defend her title at Locust Hill Country Club in suburban Rochester, N.Y., which would mark the first time since Sorenstam captured three consecutive LPGA Championship crowns between 2003-2005 there would be a repeat champion.

Kerr is arguably the hottest player in the world. Ranked second in the latest Rolex rankings, Kerr has reeled off three straight second-place finishes and has wound up no worse than fourth in five of the last seven events during the 2011 campaign.

Kerr will be in the thick of things come Sunday, much like she was last year as she blew away the field with a closing-round 66 to complete her record-breaking, 12-stroke victory in the major championship. But something has to give with Kerr, who must be frustrated mentally about not being able to put together four great rounds for victory thus far.

That said, I'm throwing my support behind South Korean standout Jiyai Shin and looking for her to bring home her second career major championship. Shin, who won her first major title at the 2008 RICOH Women's British Open, has finished second twice this season and most recently eighth in the LPGA State Farm Classic.

Most importantly, Shin has won this tournament before when she triumphed in the 2009 edition of the event before it became to one of the tour's four major championships. The world's fourth-ranked player has won eight times in her career and seems poised this week to make a major toward another crown.

WEGMANS LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

Winner: Jiyai Shin

Runner-up: Suzann Pettersen

Third: Brittany Lincicome

Fourth: Cristie Kerr

Fifth: I.K. Kim

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: KERR, TSENG HEADLINE BEST OF BRILLIANT FIELD IN PURSUIT OF WEGMANS LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

CRISTIE KERR

Here are the 10 players who should be in the thick of things come Sunday at the Wegmans LPGA Championship in Pittsford, N.Y., as they chase the title in the second major championship of the season:

YANI TSENG

* Last tournament: First at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied 19th (+1)

BRITTANY LINCICOME

* Last tournament: Tied for 3rd at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

JIYAI SHIN

* Last tournament: Tied for 8th at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 3rd (-5)

SANDRA GAL

* Last tournament: Missed cut at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

STACY LEWIS

* Last tournament: Tied for 23rd at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

CRISTIE KERR

* Last tournament: Second at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: First (-19)

SUZANN PETTERSEN

* Last tournament: Tied for 12th at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 11th (-2)

I.K. KIM

* Last tournament: Tied for 15th at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

PAULA CREAMER

* Last tournament: Tied for 3rd at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 42nd (+4)

KARRIE WEBB

* Last tournament: Tied for 52nd at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: FIVE WHO COULD SHINE AT LPGA MAJOR

ANGELA STANFORD

Here are five players who could surprise the field this week at the Wegmans LPGA Championship at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y.:

VICKY HURST

* Last tournament: Tied for Tied for 19th at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 54th (+6)

MARIA HJORTH

* Last tournament: Tied for 45th at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

ANGELA STANFORD

* Last tournament: Tied for 8th at LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

MIKA MIYAZATO

* Last tournament: Tied for 23rd at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: 13th place (-1)

SOPHIE GUSTAFSON

* Last tournament: Tied for 23rd at the LPGA State Farm Classic

* 2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 25th (+2)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: KEY STATS ENTERING LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Here are the three most important statistical categories that need to be used when trying to determine a winner for this week's Wegmans LPGA Championship:

YANI TSENG

Twitter: @YaniTseng

SCORING AVERAGE

1-Yani Tseng 69.61 ... 2-I.K. Kim 70.13 ... 3-Cristie Kerr 70.46 ... 4-Mindy Kim 70.77 ... 5-Jiyai Shin 70.85 ... 6-Karrie Webb 70.90 ... 7-Brittany Lincicome 70.97 ... 8-Jennifer Johnson 71.10 ... 9-Suzann Pettersen 71.13 ... 10-Sandra Gal 71.17 ... 11-Catriona Matthew 71.19 ... 12-Michelle Wie 71.20 ... 13-Stacy Lewis 71.21 ... 14-Na Yeon Choi 71.30 ... 15-Paula Creamer 71.30

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Twitter: @suzannpettersen

GREENS IN REGULATION

1-Suzann Pettersen 0.767 ... 2-Catriona Matthew 0.756 ... 3-Shanshan Feng 0.754 ... 4-Jiyai Shin 0.753 ... 5-Paula Creamer 0.747 ... 6-Yani Tseng 0.744 ... 7-Maria Hjorth 0.743 ... 8-Cristie Kerr 0.736 ... 9-Stacy Lewis 0.733 ... 10-Angela Stanford 0.727

SOPHIE GUSTAFSON

Twitter: @SophieGustafson

PUTTS PER GREENS IN REGULATION

1-Sophie Gustafson 1.67 ... 2-Jean Reynolds 1.68 ... 3-Jane Park 1.70 ... 4-Nannette Hill 1.71 ... 5 I.K. Kim 1.71 ... 6-Jennifer Song 1.72 ... 7-Christel Boeljon 1.72 ... 8-Juli Inkster 1.72 ... 9-Cristie Kerr 1.72 ... 10-Sandra Gal 1.73 ... 11-Yani Tseng 1.74 ... 12-Jiyai Shin 1.74 ... 13-Meena Lee 1.75 ... 14-Jean Bartholomew 1.76 ... 15-Mindy Kim 1.76


* Statistics courtesy of LPGA.com

TEE TIMES SET FOR WEGMANS LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

I.K. KIM

Here are the opening-round tee times Thursday at the Wegmans LPGA Championship at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y. Please click on the link below for the entire list of groups:

http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Pairings.aspx?TournamentID=27828

THURSDAY'S FEATURED PAIRINGS
Group 8/Tee No. 10
7:48 a.m.
Hee Young Park, Aree Song, Jin Young Pak

Group 16/Tee No. 10
8:32 a.m.
Kyeong Bae, Christina Kim, Ji Young Oh

Group 19/Tee No. 1
8:54 a.m.
Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome

Group 21/Tee No. 1
9:05 a.m.
Yani Tseng, Ai Miyazato, Juli Inkster

Group 23/Tee No. 1
9:16 a.m.
Sandra Gal, Suzann Pettersen, Paula Creamer

Group 24/Tee No. 10
9:16 a.m.
Catriona Matthew, Mindy Kim, Katherine Hull

Group 31/Tee No. 1
12:48 p.m.
Vicky Hurst, Pat Hurst, Hee Kyung Seo

Group 32/Tee No. 10
12:48 p.m.
Jiyai Shin, Stacy Lewis, I.K. Kim

Group 36/Tee No. 10
1:10 p.m.
Karrie Webb, Laura Davies, Natalie Gulbis


* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

KERR SET TO DEFEND LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN

It won't be easy, but Cristie Kerr seems poised to make another run toward her second consecutive LPGA Championship this week in upstate New York. Kerr, who pulled off a Rory McIlroy-like victory with her record-breaking, 12-stroke triumph last year at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y., has been stellar this season.

Kerr has five top-five finishes in nine starts, with three straight second-place finishes coming into this week's major. However, she has yet to reach the winner's circle thus far this season.

A victory by Kerr this week would mark just the fifth time in the tournament's history a defending champion would repeat as the winner and first since golf legend Annika Sorenstam captured three crowns between 2003 and 2005 in the tournament's history.

LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP THIS WEEK IN ROCHESTER

Last week, it was all about Rory McIlroy and the men at the U.S. Open. This week, it's all about the best women golfers in the world chasing one of their major championships.

A world-class field of players will tee it up starting Thursday during the Wegmans LPGA Championship in western New York. The four-day tournament, held at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford (a suburb of Rochester), marks the second major of the LPGA season. It is the first of three majors held over the next six weeks, with 150 players chasing a share of the $2.5 million purse that includes a first-place check of $375,000 for the winner.

Here's a quick look at the tournament:
WEGMANS LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Dates: June 23-26
Purse: $2,500,000
History: The event began in 1955 and is one of the four major championships on the LPGA Tour.
Format: 72 holes
Course: Locust Hill Country Club
City: Pittsford, N.Y. (Rochester area)
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,506
Charity: https://www.wegmanslpga.org/

LAST YEAR'S RESULTS
2010 Champion - Cristie Kerr, United States Winning Scores:
68-66-69-66=269 (-19)
Margin of Victory:
Kerr defeated Song-Hee Kim of South Korea by 12 strokes

TV COVERAGE
(All times EST)
June 23 - 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
June 24 - 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
June 25 - 4 p.m.-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
June 26 - 4 p.m.-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)

Check back later today for more news and information about this week's Wegmans LPGA Championship.