UNKNOWN GERMAN MASSON SURGES AHEAD OF FIELD TO TAKE ONE-SHOT LEAD AT WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN

CAROLINE MASSON

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – Germany's Caroline Masson shot a 7-under 65 on Friday to take a surprising one-stroke lead after the second round of the Women's British Open.

Playing in the last group of the day, the 22-year-old Masson had seven birdies without a bogey on the Carnoustie Golf Links to move to 11-under 133, one stroke ahead of South Korea's Inbee Park and Meena Lee.

Masson, competing in only her second season on the European Tour, had four birdies in a front-nine 32.

"I've just had two great days out there and I'm very happy to be playing so well," Masson said. "I've played really solid, hit the fairways, hit the greens and made some putts. It's been awesome."

Park had nine birdies and a bogey in a 64, while Lee, who started the second round of the major with a two-stroke lead, closed with two birdies in a 69.

"It was a very solid day," Park said. "I putted pretty good out there and hit it really good, so I'm looking forward to the next two days."

Three players were at 8-under: Dewi-Claire Schreefel of the Netherlands, who had a 66 on Friday, and South Koreans Se Ri Pak, the 2001 champion who had a 64, and Na Yeon Choi, who had a 67.

Defending champion Yani Tseng from Taiwan was another stroke back after a second-round 66.

"I'm very happy with the position I'm in," she said.

Brittany Lincicome was the highest-placed American at 6-under 138 but she was disappointed with her round of 71.

"I just couldn't get anything going today. I had 32 putts out there, which means I wasn't hitting my second shots close enough, or I just wasn't making anything," she said. "But I'm happy with where I am going into the weekend."

Tied with Lincicome were European Tour rookie Caroline Hedwall of Sweden and Japan's Mika Miyazato, who matched their opening 69s, and South Korean Amy Yang, who had a 70.

In a group at 5-under was Paula Creamer.

"If I just go out and make as many birdies as I have been and eliminate the bogies then I feel I'll be right there on Sunday," said Creamer, who had a second-round 70.

Perhaps the unluckiest player of the day was American Angela Stanford, who was at 4-under after a 72. She could have been two better but for a bizarre incident on the final hole.

A steward indicated that her second ball had gone out of bounds, so she played another but didn't declare it "provisional."

Her first ball had kicked back inbounds, but when she got to it it was too late as her second ball was now the ball in play. So she was on the green in four and two-putted for a 6.

"I learned something today," Stanford said. "I didn't think I had to ever say 'provisional,' but I guess you always say 'provisional.'"

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

SOUTH KOREAN STANDOUT LEE STORMS TO LEAD WITH BOGEY-FREE 65 AT WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN

MEENA LEE

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – Meena Lee overcame wet conditions to shoot a 7-under 65 on Thursday for a two-shot lead after the first round of the Women's British Open.

The South Korean had seven birdies and no bogeys playing mainly in a heavy afternoon downpour.

"I like links golf. It's very different to what we play on the LPGA Tour and I really enjoyed it today, despite the weather," Lee said.

Brittany Lincicome, who started her round in good conditions early in the morning, set the early pace with a 67. Among a group at 68 were Angela Stanford, South Korea's Amy Yang, Germany's Caroline Masson and Sweden's Sofie Gustafson.

Twice a winner on the LPGA Tour in her first two seasons after turning professional in 2005, Lee is making her second visit to Scotland, having played in the British Open at St. Andrews in 2007.

Lee opened Thursday with a birdie on the first hole when she hit her 7-iron to 6 feet. She birdied the long sixth after hitting a sand wedge to 12 feet, made a 20-foot putt for birdie at the seventh and holed from nine feet at the ninth.

Putts for birdies from similar lengths followed at the 11th and long 14th. At the 17th, Lee hit two 5-woods to 45 feet and took two putts for her final birdie.

Lincicome made her charge starting at the 12th, where she made a 15-foot birdie putt. She hit a 7-iron to 7 feet at the 13th and holed the putt. Lincicome hit a huge drive on the 14th – "must have been 300 yards," she said – and then a 6-iron to 10 feet and holed that for an eagle. She also birdied the long 17th.

"I played really well," she said. "I didn't take advantage of some chances on the front nine but then really got going from the 12th. This is a great golf course and it seems to suit my game really well so I'm looking forward to the next three days."

Paula Creamer had two eagles and finished with a 69, along with Swedish rookie Caroline Hedwall, Japan's Momoko Ueda and Mika Miyazato, South Koreans Na Yeon Choi and Song-Hee Kim, Taiwan's Amy Hung and Canadian Lorie Kane.

Morgan Pressel and three-time winner Karrie Webb shot 70s, one better than defending champion Yani Tseng of Taiwan. Cristie Kerr had a 72, while Michelle Wie had a lackluster 74.

Kristy McPherson made a sensational start and reached the turn at 5 under but faltered on the back nine and finished with a 71, the same as Natalie Gulbis.

Last week's Evian Masters winner Ai Miyazato of Japan bogeyed the first five holes on her way to a 76, while former three-time winner Sherri Steinhauer slumped to a 78.

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

LINCICOME WAITING FOR CLUBS TO ARRIVE

BRITTANY LINCICOME

Brittany Lincicome went to bed Tuesday night still not knowing what had become of her golf clubs. But the 2009 Kraft Nabisco champion, who’s in France for this week’s Evian Masters golf tourney, may awaken to brand new sticks if her suppliers Adams Golf and Callaway Golf have their way.

"We’ve built Brittany’s clubs and shipped them yesterday and she will have them in time for the event," Adams’ marketing director Jeff Wood told us in an e-mail Tuesday, "unless something happens with customs. But we don’t foresee any problems."

Lincicome, who, according to her Twitter page, spent much of Tuesday urging Iberia Airlines to find and return the golf clubs the carrier misplaced during the golfer’s delayed flight from Miami to Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday night. Iberia reported progress in locating the clubs and shipping them to Lincicome’s hotel but they had not arrived by the time she was ready to turn in.

"Going to bed. Long day tracking my bag," Lincicome tweeted Tuesday night. "Hopefully I get it tomorrow."

Lincicome told us earlier on Tuesday that if she could not reclaim her clubs she would rent a set from Evian Masters Golf Course. Her suppliers went into overdrive to ensure she would not have to compete in one the LPGA’s marquee events (it’s already a major championship for the Ladies European Tour) with rentals.

Adams, which manufactures Lincicome’s driver, hybrid, and irons, had all of the four-time tour winner’s clubs in inventory and was "able to act quickly when we got the call from her," Wood said.

Likewise, Callaway, which supplies Lincicome’s three wedges. Indeed, the U.K. office of the Carlsbad, Calif., club maker "is building her new X Forged wedges (50, 56, 60)," Callaway spokesperson Scott Goryl said in an e-mail message. The firm’s onsite rep had already set Lincicome up with an Odyssey White Ice 2 putter from his demo bag and Goryl expected the wedges to show up in Evians-Les-Bains Wednesday afternoon.

In the meantime, Callaway took the opportunity to outfit Lincicome with some of its newest bats for the golfer’s practice round today.

"She took out a Callaway Razr Hawk Tour 8.5 driver, Diablo Octane Tour 15-degree fairway wood, and a RAZR X Tour 3H on Tuesday to get a look at the course," Goryl said.

No word on whether Linicicome liked the new bats enough to put them in her bag on a more permanent basis.

- Story courtesy of Examiner.com/Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: KERR SHINES WITH THIRD-PLACE FINISH, LEADING SOLID SHOWINGS FROM OUR TOP-10 PICKS

CRISTIE KERR

Coming so close to victory happens from time to time when it comes to the best players in women's golf.

But for Cristie Kerr, the American star and world's second-ranked player has seen this result play out way too often this season on the LPGA Tour.

Kerr finished alone in third place at this year's U.S. Women's Open, which concluded Monday at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. For anyone else, this type of result would have been fantastic after what the field went through at the weather-plagued major championship. However, Kerr must be frustrated in what has become a season filled with "so close, yet so far away" finishes.

The two-time major champion has now wound up in the top four in seven of the past nine tournaments, including three second-place showings. She has yet to raise the tournament-winning hardware this season.

Former U.S. Women's Open champion Inbee Park picked up a share of sixth place after finishing in a tie for eighth in the 2010 edition. South Korean stars I.K. Kim and Jiyai Shin took home a piece of 10th place, while defending champion Paula Creamer, Yani Tseng and Suzann Pettersen were among a group of six players who shared 15th place.

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

CRISTIE KERR

Finish: Third (-1, 283)

Scoring by rounds: 71-72-69-71

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 17th (+9)

 

INBEE PARK

Finish: Tied for 6th (+2, 286)

Scoring by rounds: 71-73-70-72

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 8th (+5)

 

I.K. KIM

Finish: Tied for 10th (+4, 288)

Scoring by rounds: 70-69-76-73

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 4th (+2)

 

JIYAI SHIN

Finish: Tied for 10th (+4, 288)

Scoring by rounds: 73-72-73-70

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 5th (+3)

 

PAULA CREAMER

Finish: Tied for 15th (+6, 290)

Scoring by rounds: 72-70-73-75

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Champion (-3)

 

YANI TSENG

Finish: Tied for 15th (+6, 290)

Scoring by rounds: 73-73-71-73

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 10th (+6)

 

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Finish: Tied for 15th (+6, 290)

Scoring by rounds: 71-75-72-72

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 2nd (+1)

 

MORGAN PRESSEL

Finish: Tied for 21st (+7, 291)

Scoring by rounds: 75-72-71-73

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 34th (+14)

 

BRITTANY LINCICOME

Finish: Tied for 27th (+9, 293)

Scoring by rounds: 75-74-74-70

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 25th (+11)

 

NA YEON CHOI

Finish: Missed cut

Scoring by rounds: 78-74

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 2nd (+1)

- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

I. KIM JETS IN FRONT AT U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

I.K. KIM

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – When the rain stopped, Stacy Lewis got off a school bus wondering if she was in the U.S. Open or the twilight zone.

By the time the strange ordeal was over Friday, she had lost her lead and was barely hanging onto her cool.

Going for her second major of the year, Lewis made a bogey and double-bogey shortly after a 66-minute rain delay and the lead she held through almost the entire marathon day at the U.S. Women's Open turned into a two-shot deficit to I.K. Kim.

Kim was at 4-under par with four holes to play when the second round was suspended by darkness. Lewis, who had led by as many as four shots earlier in the day, was tied for second with Amy Anderson and Wendy Ward at 2 under with two holes left.

"We sat in a school bus," Lewis said of the way she spent the delay when the late-afternoon rain hit the Broadmoor. "It was 20 people in a little school bus. There was no place to go, you couldn't do anything, it was hard to get loose again. Just kind of unfortunate – unfortunate the way it all worked out, I guess."

But maybe to be expected during a week that has been interrupted by two afternoon thunderstorms, which has forced backup plans to be replaced by more backup plans.

Only 33 of the 156 players made it through their second round Friday and 66 never made it to their tee time.
Among those were Anderson, the amateur who played six holes early in the morning to close her first round and finished the day in the three-way tie for second.

Another shot back is Paula Creamer, along with Karrie Webb, who is in a group of four at 1 under who hadn't teed off.

Ryann O'Toole headed into the break one shot behind Lewis, but she also struggled on the restart. She made three bogeys over the next four holes to fall to even par with four holes left.

"I have a bit of a sour taste in my mouth," O'Toole said. "But I can always turn that around, reverse it tomorrow morning."

O'Toole was tied for 10th with Angela Stanford, who was one of the fortunate few. She finished her round moments before play was stopped. She completed all 36 holes on Friday and will be lucky to get through 18 on Saturday.

"I feel better than I thought I would right now, but that might still be some of the adrenaline," Stanford said. "I think I feel good because I'm finished."

Seeking to complete the career Grand Slam, Yani Tseng couldn't get much going during her day of start-and-stop golf. She was 3-over par with two holes to play.

"I think I was just trying too hard," Tseng said. "I'm trying to play well, trying to hit it close to the pin. Sometimes when you try harder, the worse you get."

The last hour of Friday's round felt more like a casual walk through the park at twilight than a major championship. The rain and lightning chased almost all the fans away and the players were playing in front of dozens of marshals, a few friends and family and the sounds of children playing on swing sets outside the fences at the Broadmoor.

Quite a different feel from earlier in the day, when some players figured they'd be grinding through 36 holes on a typically difficult U.S. Open setup made tougher by the long days and the long course – a record 7,034 yards.

Nobody was grinding better than Lewis, who became the first (and still only) player to reach 5 under this week with a birdie on the par-4 fifth hole. It seemed like days – not hours – had passed as she walked to the parking lot in the near darkness.

"It's hard to sit in a bus for an hour, then go right back out there and play and get the intensity back," Lewis said.

After a bogey on No. 14, Lewis fell out of the lead on 15 when she left a greenside bunker shot short of the putting surface, then needed three shots to get down from there. She pushed her tee shot on the par-3 16th short right into a bunker and pounded her club into the ground.

After saving par there in the dimming light, she and playing partners Brittany Lincicome and Na Yeon Choi walked off the course, even though the horn hadn't sounded.

One group in front of her was Betsy King, the 55-year-old six-time major winner, who will come back Saturday morning, putt out on No. 17, then play one final hole before she calls it a career. King was 18 over, three spots out of last place, with no chance of making the cut.

Does she wish it was over?

"In my position, certainly," she said. "Because I'm not going to make the cut and I have to come out and play in the morning again."

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

POND: DEFENDING CHAMPION CREAMER HIGHLIGHTS SPECTACULAR FIELD AT U.S WOMEN'S OPEN

PAULA CREAMER

Here are the 10 players who should be in contention Sunday during the 2011 U.S. Women's Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., as they pursue the third major championship of the season:

PAULA CREAMER

* Last tournament: Tied for 3rd at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Champion (-3)

INBEE PARK

* Last tournament: Tied for 14th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 8th (+5)

CRISTIE KERR

* Last tournament: Tied for 3rd at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 17th (+9)

JIYAI SHIN

* Last tournament: Tied for 34th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 5th (+3)

I.K. KIM

* Last tournament: Tied for 12th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 4th (+2)

SUZANN PETTERSEN

* Last tournament: Tied for 3rd at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 2nd (+1)

MORGAN PRESSEL

* Last tournament: Second at the Wegmans LPGA Championship

* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied 34th (+14)

YANI TSENG

* Last tournament: First at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 10th (+6)

NA YEON CHOI

* Last tournament: Tied for 43rd at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 2nd (+1)

BRITTANY LINCICOME

* Last tournament: Tied for 20th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship
* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Tied for 25th (+11)

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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: 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: 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: 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: 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

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

ANALYSIS: TEN BEST FROM STATE FARM CLASSIC

There were plenty of stellar efforts recorded during the four-day State Farm Classic this past week in Springfield, Ill., but some stood out more than others.

And those fine showings weren't all coming from the players at the top of the final leaderboard.

Here is a look at my top player performances from the event:

10. KYEONG BAE

69-69-71-67 - 276 (T12)

The South Korean standout put together a strong showing in Springfield, finishing in a tie for 12th after posting a final-round, 5-under-par 66 to close things on her tournament. Bae's 66 was one of the low rounds of the day, helping her just miss the top 10 after starting in a tie for 25th place. Her game improved as the tourney went on, as she hit 24 of 28 fairways over the final two days and posted just one bogey through the closing 36 holes.

9. NICOLE HAGE

71-68-72-69 - 280 (T28)

Twitter: @NicoleHage

The Auburn University product clearly had one of the wildest rounds of the tournament, putting up crooked numbers (good and bad) over the four-day span. Hage racked up 20 birdies, six bogeys and four double bogeys on her way to finishing at 10 under for a share of 28th place. Ranked sixth on the tour in driving distance at just under 270 yards per tee shot, Hage was on point Sunday as she hit 13 of 14 fairways. However, she was unable to produce that near-perfect run on fairways hit Friday and Saturday, primarily due to her exceptional length, and was only able to drive the ball safely 19 of 28 chances. If Hage can find some consistency as such a big hitter, she has the overall game to become a weekly contender on the tour.

8. JANE PARK

73-68-73-67 - 281 (T35)

Twitter: @The_JanePark

Park saved her best for last at the State Farm Classic, firing a 5-under 67 on an impressive final round en route to a share of 35th place. The UCLA product had one of the biggest moves Sunday, as she started the final 18 holes in tie for 56th place. Park, one of the most personable players on the tour, called out her short game for letting her down at one point during the tourney. However, it was her typically consistent putting that showed its usual life as she only needed 76 putts over the final 54 holes to stay in the mix. Park, the Luke Donald or Brad Faxon of putting on the women's tour, boasts the LPGA's third-best average in putts in regulation (1.70). She isn't the longest hitter off the tee (247.5 avg, T98) and or most accurate htting the greens in regulation (0.621, 107th), but her game is so close to taking a big step forward. Sunday's round - and the tournament in general - should give her confidence heading into next week's LPGA Championship and the remainder of the season.

7. BRITTANY LINCICOME

67-69-66-70 - 272 (T3)

Twitter: @Brittany1golf

Web site: www.brittany1golf

Lincicome put together another huge week of golf, finishing in a tie for third place with a final-round 70 during the State Farm Classic. The big hitter entered the tournament fresh off her victory at the ShopRite LPGA Classic and looked destined for repeat trip to the winner's trophy presentation. However, Lincicome struggled mightily off the tee Sunday, hitting just 8 of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation in what had to be a disappointing round of 70 on a day when scores were low throughout the field. Lincicome will be one of the favorites in Rochester next week and, with the important addition of former LPGA player A.J. Eathorne on her bag, a contender for Rolex Player of the Year honors.

6. PAULA CREAMER

68-68-69-67 - 272 (T3)

Twitter: @ThePCreamer

Creamer was once again on her game the entire week, highlighted by her 5-under 67 on Sunday to earn herself a share of third place. Arguably the Tour's most popular golfer, Creamer went had just two bogeys the entire tournament, including an opening 44-hole stretch of par or better. Her fairways hit (49 of 56) and greens in regulation (63 of 72) for the tournament were brilliant, but her putting was less to be desired as she needed 30 or more putts in each of the opening three rounds, likely costing her a shot at the crown. Creamer is another big favorite to win next week's LPGA Championship, but she's going to have to improve off on the putting surface (she's tied for 68th on the tour in greens in regulation at 1.84) if she has any chance at winning another major championship.

5. VICKY HURST

70-72-70-66 - 278 (T19)

Twitter: @TheVickyHurst

Hurst received my vote for Sunday's best round, with her 6-under 66 that gave her a share of 19th place after starting the day tied for the 47th in the State Farm Classic. What was most impressive was how she reached that score. Hurst was a medicore 9 for 14 in fairways hit, but made up for her errant tee shots with her putter and iron play. The American wound up 14 for 18 on fairways hit and needed just 26 putts during her round, en route to her bogey-free 66 at Panther Creek. Look for Hurst to build off her performance this past week and stay in contention in Rochester as she seeks her first tour victory.

4. SE RI PAK

69-68-68-68 - 273 (T5)

Pak was on her game all week at the State Farm Classic, capped by a 4-under 68 on Sunday that helped her grab a share of fifth place in what has turned into a comeback season of sorts for the legend. The Hall of Famer has been battling some health issues, making her effort even more impressive. Fatigue seems to have been a factor for Pak and might have kept her from getting close to eventual champion Yani Tseng in the tournament. Pak struggled on Nos. 17 and 18 all four days, going 4 over on those combined eight holes. However, her overall showing and the fact she's missed just one cut in eight starts signifies Pak should definitely be a contender entering next week's major championship.

3. MINDY KIM

64-67-69-73 - 273 (T5)

Twitter: @MindyKim89

What started out as such a promising tournament had to be nothing but a major disappointment for the rising star. Kim put together a magical run early on, capturing her first 36-hole advantage in her young professional career. The American kept things going well, even as the stars moved closer to her on the leaderboard. Kim wound up with a hard-earned, 3-under 69, putting her a stroke behind leader Tseng going into the final round. However, Kim showed her youth and seemed to let the pressure of playing in the final group with Tseng get to her as she was anything but spectacular Sunday when the intensity picked up. She sealed her unfortunate fate midway through the final round, going 4 over during a six-hole span en route to her share of fifth place. Kim, my outright pick to win the State Farm Classic before the event began, is destined for greatness on the tour. She will win this season and make a ton of noise weekly if she continues to play at this level. Kim surely gained a ton of experience playing with Tseng and leading the field for nearly 54 holes. Hopefully, that carries over next week in Rochester and the rest of the 2011 campaign.

2. CRISTIE KERR

70-67-66-67 - 270 (2)

Web site: www.cristiekerrgolf.com

What else can say about Kerr other than the fact she's the best American golfer and sits comfortably with Tsang as the top two players in the world. Kerr was on her game Sunday, firing a 5-under 67 to finish just three strokes behind Tseng at the State Farm Classic. The event's 2010 champion, Kerr was bogey free Sunday and seemed to find every green in regulation (16 of 18 actually) as she chased Tseng throughout the tournament. But as strong as her effort was, Kerr will be the first to tell you she left some birdies on the course due to some inconsistent putting. She needed 30 putts in the final round, showing her putter wasn't at its best and making her 66 look that more impressive. Had she made a few more of those putts, a round of 63 or 64 would have been likely and another championship in her trophy cabinet. Kerr enters the LPGA Championship as the odds-on favorite and rightfully so. She destroyed the field last year on her way to an impressive, record-breaking 12-stroke victory for her second major title. Combine that with the fact Kerr has finished second in three consecutive tournaments this season and you have a player primed to pick up another major championship.

1. YANI TSENG

67-66-66-68 - 267 (1)

Twitter: @YaniTseng

Tseng clearly showed the reason why she's the top-ranked player in the world with her impressive victory. She played the final 39 holes without a bogey and went 12 under during that stretch, cruising to her second Tour win of the season. Tseng was consistenly long off the tee, averaging 278.13 yards on her drives. That allowed her to shorten the course, setting her up for short iron shots and giving her plenty of chances at birdie. She wound up with 22 birdies, an eagle and just three bogeys during the tournament to record her seventh top-10 finish in nine Tour events this season. Tseng, along with Kerr, enters the LPGA Championship as one of the prime contenders for the crown. Don't be surprised if the Chinese Taipei star comes through with another scintillating performance for her fourth major crown.


Note: All photos courtesy of The Associated Press