POND: CHAMPION MIYAZATO HIGHLIGHTS STELLAR SHOWING FROM OUR TOP-10 TOURNEY SELECTIONS

AI MIYAZATO

Women of professional golf beware. Ai Miyazato is going to be tough to beat the remainder of the season.

The Japanese and world star played her best golf of the 2011 campaign this week, en route to her second Evian Masters crown over the past three years in picturesque southeastern France.

Miyazato paced our top-10 contenders in what turned out to be a superb showing from the group. Five finished ninth or better, including South Korean standout I.K. Kim earning a share of third place. American Morgan Pressel and Norway's Suzann Pettersen each took home a piece of sixth place.

Mika Miyazato, our pick to win the tournament, earned a tie for ninth place to close out another nice showing after her back-to-back, top-10 finishes at the U.S. Women's Open (fifth) and the Wegmans LPGA Championship (tied for eighth) at the previous two events.

South Korea's Hee Kyung Seo, runner-up at this year's U.S. Women's Open, was the lone player from our top-10 picks to miss the cut at the tournament.

Take a look at how the overall group fared this week at the Evian Masters:

AI MIYAZATO

Finish: Champion (-15, 273)

Scoring by rounds: 68-68-67-70
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 19th (-5)

I.K. KIM

Finish: Tied for 3rd (-12, 276)

Scoring by rounds: 74-68-64-70
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 43rd (Even)

MORGAN PRESSEL

Finish: Tied for 6th (-11, 277)
Scoring by rounds: 71-69-69-68
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 2nd (-13)

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Finish: Tied for 6th (-11, 277)

Scoring by rounds: 73-67-69-68
2010 Evian Masters finish: Fifth (-12)

MIKA MIYAZATO

Finish: Tied for 9th (-10, 278)

Scoring by rounds: 71-68-68-71
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 6th (-10)

YANI TSENG

Finish: Tied for 12th (-9, 279)

Scoring by rounds: 69-73-68-69
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 11th (-7)

PAULA CREAMER

Finish: Tied for 14th (-8, 280)

Scoring by rounds: 70-67-72-71
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 37th (-1)

JIYAI SHIN

Finish: Tied for 17th (-7, 281)

Scoring by rounds: 69-69-70-73
2010 Evian Masters finish: Champion (-14)

CRISTIE KERR

Finish: Tied for 21st (-6, 282)

Scoring by rounds: 73-73-71-73

2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 31st (-2)

HEE KYUNG SEO

Finish: Missed cut

Scoring by rounds: 73-75
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 74th (+7)

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live
- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: SOUTH KOREAN STAR SEO HEADLINES OUR TEN BEST IN TOP-NOTCH EVIAN MASTERS FIELD

HEE KYUNG SEO

Here are the 10 players who should be in contention Sunday during the Evian Masters at Evian Masters Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France:

HEE KYUNG SEO

* Last tournament: Tied for 1st (lost in playoff) at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 74th (+7)

PAULA CREAMER

* Last tournament: Tied for 15th at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 37th (-1)

JIYAI SHIN

* Last tournament: Tied for 10th at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Champion (-14)

SUZANN PETTERSEN

* Last tournament: Tied for 15th at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Fifth (-12)

AI MIYAZATO

* Last tournament: Tied for 6th at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 19th (-5)

CRISTIE KERR

* Last tournament: Third at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 31st (-2)

YANI TSENG

* Last tournament: Tied for 15th at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 11th (-7)

MIKA MIYAZATO

* Last tournament: Fifth at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 6th (-10)

I.K. KIM

* Last tournament: Tied for 10th at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 43rd (Even)

MORGAN PRESSEL

* Last tournament: Tied for 21st at the U.S. Women's Open

* 2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 2nd (-13)

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live
- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

ANALYSIS: SOUTH KOREAN STANDOUTS RYU, SEO LEAD OUR TOP EFFORTS AT THE U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

Impressive showings from several players were recorded during the lengthy U.S. Women's Open last week at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., some standing out more than others during the grueling event.

Here are our Top 10 performances from this year's tournament:

1. SO-YEON RYU

74-69-69-69 - 281 (1)

Country: South Korea

World ranking: 21st

Twitter: @1Miss_R

Ryu has lived much her life in the playing shadows of her fellow countrywomen. Players like Seo, Jiyai Shin, I.K. Kim and former U.S. Women's Open champion Eun-Hee Ji have always been in the spotlight. But now, they need to make room for the latest shining star to join the elite group. Ryu was simply magical last week at the The Broadmoor's East Course, carving it up for three consecutive rounds of 3-under-par 69 to go along with her opening 2-over 74 en route to her first major championship. The 21-year-old college student back home in South Korea displayed impeccable concentration and brilliance when it counted most to defeat chief rival Seo in a three-hole, aggregate playoff Monday to close out the win. Ryu needed a birdie on the 18th hole to close the final round and force the extra holes, then put away Seo with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to stun the tournament field. Ryu isn't a full-time player on the LPGA Tour, due to the fact she is pursuing her degree and playing on the Korean LPGA Tour. Ryu is a player the LPGA Tour desperately needs playing in its tournaments on a weekly basis. Hopefully, a full-time move move to the biggest and most lucrative women's professional tour in the world comes sooner than later for the sport's newest star.

2. HEE KYUNG SEO

72-73-68-68 - 281 (2)

Country: South Korea

World ranking: 20th

One putt. One hole. It is kind of hard to pin your success or failure on one hole at a tournament, but that's exactly what happened late in Sunday's final round of the U.S. Women's Open. The South Korean star had the major championship in her grasp, but a three-putt bogey on the 17th hole left her clinging to a one-shot lead with eventual champion So-Yeon Ryu still on the course. Ryu would go on to birdie the 18th, thus forcing a three-hole, aggregate playoff with Seo, and win the tournament. Seo was simply magical over the final 36 holes, posting back-to-back rounds of 4-under 68 to put herself on top. Her consistent driving and precision putting were her bread and butter throughout the event, making her fun to watch as she chased her first major title and second victory overall after winning the 2010 Kia Classic as a non-tour member. The LPGA Tour sorely needs players who are skilled, yet marketable, at the same time. And Seo easily fits in that group already featuring the likes of Creamer, Wie and top-ranked player Yani Tseng. She is a potential top-five player and will be heard from consistently for months and years to come.

3. CRISTIE KERR

71-72-69-71 - 283 (3)

Country: United States

Ranking: 2nd

Twitter: @TheCristieKerr

Love her or hate her, there is no disputing the fact Kerr is our country's best and only week-in, week-out Amrican threat to enter the winner's circle. The world's No. 2-ranked player held a piece of the third-round lead at 1 under, but an even-par 72 combined with huge efforts from champion So-Yeon Ryu and runner-up Hee Kyung Seo in the final round resulted in her settling for third place. Kerr has become somewhat of a hard-luck loser this seaosn, winding up in the top four in seven of the past nine tournaments, including three second-place showings.The two-time major champion has yet to win in 2011, but we feel that will change and could come at the Women's British Open. Kerr is going to be a tournament favorite, having finished no worse than a tie for eighth place in four of the past five Women's British Open events.

4. ANGELA STANFORD

72-70-70-72 - 284 (4)

Country: United States

World ranking: 19th

Twitter: @Angela_Stanford

One of our favorite players, the American veteran has been on a roll as of late. The Texas Christian University product has five top-10 finishes in her last nine outings and was in contention for the win all weekend long in Colorado. Stanford wound up alone in fourth place, pushing her 2011 earnings over $500,000 and career money to almost $6 million. A true grinder, Stanford has shown she is still capable of big things and a victory this season would be no surprise.

5. RYANN O'TOOLE

69-72-75-71 - 287 (9)

Country: United States

World ranking: 121st

Move over, Paula Creamer. You have company on the American women's golf scene. One of the most promising U.S. golfers to come along since Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie, the LPGA and LPGA Futures Tour member contended for three rounds and wound up alone in ninth place during her Open debut. Her performance also earned her exemption into next year's U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin. With America's future hopes of success resting on the shoulders of Creamer and Pressel, the door is open for O'Neill to join the party.

6. KARRIE WEBB

70-73-72-71 - T6 (286)

Country: Australia

World ranking: 9th

The two-time U.S. Women's Open champion (2001, 2002) and winner of seven majors lifetime continued to show she can play with the young guns of the tour, finishing in a tie for sixth place after four consistent rounds. One of the LPGA Tour's legends and member of the elite group of players to complete the career Grand Slam, Webb will chase her fourth Women's British Open crown later this month and add more tournament hardware to her Hall of fame shelves.

7. INBEE PARK

71-73-70-72 - 286 (T6)

Country: South Korea

World ranking: 12th

The youngest champion in U.S. Women's Open history has been model of consistency at the tournament, finishing no worse than a share of eighth place in four of the past five years. The 2008 champion, who played collegiately at UNLV, has been impressive in her last three tournaments on this year's LPGA Tour, finishing tied for ninth at the Sybase Match Play Championship and also earning a piece of 14th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship. Park, who moved to the United States as a youth, is a dangerous player weekly and should have more than one win under belt. That said, we won't be surprised if victory number two comes sooner than later.

8. MIKA MIYAZATO

70-67-76-72 - 285 (5)

Country: Japan

World ranking: 24th

Twitter: @Mikachin1010

Talk about a bittersweet tournament for the Japanese star. Miyazato rocketed the U.S. Women's Open lead, firing an event-low, 5-under 67 in the second round for a one-stroke edge over countrywoman Ai Miyazato at the halfway point. However, a nasty 76 in the third round knocked her out of first and she never completely recovered to get back in the mix. It was hard to not pull for Miyazato, who is donating all her major-tournament winnings to the Japan tsunami relief causes. Miyazato has had a strong campaign and we expect her to reach the winner's circle this season.

9. CHELLA CHOI

71-76-70-72 - 289 (T13)

Country: South Korea

World ranking: 111th

Twitter: @ChellaChoi

Not one of the more well-known golfers in the South Korean contingent, Choi made it clear she's ready to change that after her impressive effort this week in Colorado. Like Stupples, Choi flirted with the cut line in the opening rounds, but turned it around by playing the final 36 holes at 2 under and wound up taking a share of 13th place. Consistency has been an issue for Choi, but if she straightens things out, expect to see her among the leaders each week on tour.

10. KAREN STUPPLES

72-77-73-68 - 290 (T15)

Country: England

World ranking: 71st

Twitter: @Kstupples

The savvy Brit put together a solid weekend, highlighted by her final-round 68 en route to a share of 15th place at the U.S. Women's Open. Stupples just made the tournament cut and rallied her way to an impressive finish. Her 68 tied for Sunday's low round with Open runner-up Hee Kyung Seo. Expect big things from Stupples as the tour makes its annual journey overseas.

- Photos courtesy of Getty Images

SOUTH KOREAN SWAG: RYU BESTS COUNTRYWOMAN SEO IN PLAYOFF FOR U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CROWN

SO YEON RYU

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A special day for South Korea turned out to be even more special for So Yeon Ryu.

Fighting her way into a tie at the end of 72 holes and then shutting the door on her rival, Ryu won the U.S. Women's Open on Monday, defeating Hee Kyung Seo by three shots in a three-hole playoff.

Ryu became the fifth South Korean to win the Open and the fourth in the last seven years. Yes, they take their golf seriously there, and Se Ri Pak – the queen of the sport in that country – was out on the course watching the 21-year-old Ryu make history. When it was over, the Koreans rushed onto the green and doused Ryu with champagne.

"I'm proud of it," Ryu said. "To see my hero, Se Ri Pak, out there fighting for me. It's pretty powerful, yeah."

Ryu played the three-hole playoff in 2-under par, all but sealing it when she hit three perfect shots to the green on the par-5 17th for a birdie while Seo drove into a bunker and had to scramble for bogey.

For good measure, Ryu hit her approach on 18 to four feet for another birdie.

But really, it was the birdie she made on 18 about an hour earlier that set up the win.

Trailing by one to an opponent who had closed out her round before darkness stopped play the previous night, Ryu hit a 6-iron uphill, over the lake on No. 18 to six feet. She slammed the putt home to pull into a tie and ended up with two birdies in an hour on a hole that yielded only 28 over five days.

Nobody will ever say Ryu backed into this victory, won on a 7,000-yard Broadmoor course that got hit by storms every day, turning it into a test of endurance for some players and a sporadic series of starts and stops for others.

"It's never over 'til it's over, especially in these things," Cristie Kerr said. "People really want it, and that was a gutsy putt."

Kerr also had a chance. She came in trailing by two with two holes to play, but couldn't convert a 12-foot putt from the fringe on 17 to make things interesting. She finished third at 1-under par.

Angela Stanford birdied 16 to also give herself an outside shot. But she, too, made par on 17 and wound up even par and in fourth place.

Seo was the best on Sunday, when she played 36 holes over 14 hours and finished both rounds at 3-under 68 to finish regulation at 3-under 281. But there was one hiccup: A short putt that rimmed out on No. 17 when she was rushing to finish – a ball hit while the wind was whipping, leaving her uneasy as she stood over it. It left her at 3 under instead of 4 under and gave Ryu a glimmer of hope.

"I think one mistake yesterday on the 17th green, that's the one," Seo said.

Seo came to the course Monday knowing she might be able to collect the trophy without hitting a shot. She was warming up on the driving range when she heard a roar from the 18th grandstand. It was Ryu's approach shot. She had to go out for three more holes and is now 0-2 against Seo in head-to-head playoffs. They also went three holes at the Chinese Ladies Open in 2009.

Ryu, who still plays most of her golf on the Korean Tour, joins Pak, Birdie Kim, Inbee Park and Eun Hee Ji on the list of South Korean U.S. Open champions. She took the lead in the much-watched contest to supplant Pak as the country's greatest player, though it figures this race – like the tournament they just finished – will be a marathon. Ryu is 21 and Seo just turned 25.

"Big celebrating right now," Pak said. "I was walking three holes and looked back and said, `All I can say is I'm very proud – proud to be Korean, proud for them to be out there and playing their best.' They're the true champions. I'm very happy to see it."

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

SOUTH KOREAN STANDOUT SEO STORMS TO LEAD, ON CUSP OF WINNING U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CROWN

HEE KYUNG SEO

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Hee Kyung Seo has a chance to carve her own special place in history. Not simply as a U.S. Open winner – but as a U.S. Open winner who won it without hitting a single shot on the final day.

In a strange, storm-infested tournament that doesn't want to end, Seo did just about everything she could to win her first major except control the weather. She shot a pair of 3-under 68s on Sunday to finish at 3-under 281 for a one-shot lead over her South Korean rival, So Yeon Ryu, who had three holes left when darkness halted play.

Cristie Kerr was another shot back with two holes left.

Seo will sleep on the lead – though not as comfortably as she could have after missing a 3-foot par putt on No. 17 – and then has a chance to wake up Monday, come to the course, never touch a club and walk away with the trophy.

"I can sleep very well, so I don't worry about that," she said.

But she couldn't celebrate quite yet.

Rain delayed play for the fourth time in four days – this time for 2 hours, 37 minutes – and left 28 players still on the course, three of whom are still in range.

Coverage begins at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com.

There's Ryu, who shot 69 on her first trip around the course Sunday morning and has at least one decent birdie opportunity – the par-5 17th – awaiting Monday morning.

"Right now, it's kind of breezy out there," she said. "Tomorrow, it might be good weather and the greens might be soft. So, it's good for me, yeah."

There's Kerr, a two-time major winner who isn't conceding anything. She was getting ready to do an interview after darkness fell when she saw Seo hugging friends and family.

"The tournament is not decided yet," Kerr said. "I think she's over there celebrating. We all have a chance. I'm going to go out and swing for the fences and hopefully tie it up."

Also with an outside chance is Angela Stanford, who is at even par, three shots behind with four holes to play.

Seo, however, is in the best position because she played better than anyone over 36 grueling holes of golf on the 7,000-yard course, longest in U.S. Women's Open history. The highlights included four straight birdies on the front nine in her final round that boosted her from 1-under par into the lead – a lead she never lost.

She scrambled through the back nine, saving par with a tricky 5-foot putt on 11, again from an awkward stance above a greenside bunker on No. 13, then again after a drive into the deep rough on 15.

"I just trusted myself and just let it go, and I made lots of birdies," Seo said.

Stanford briefly pulled into a tie with Seo, but missed a three-foot putt for bogey on No. 11 to start a free-fall – 4-over par on holes 11 through 15.

By the time Seo reached No. 17, she was ahead by two, pointing and staring at a rainbow overhead.

But the moment didn't last long. First, after being asked by tournament officials to close the gap with the group in front, she started jogging up the fairway – not exactly what you'd expect from someone trying to close out a major. A few moments later, Seo missed a 3-footer for bogey that let Ryu creep to within one shot.

Par for the course on a difficult day where pars were hard to find.

Yani Tseng had no luck. The world No. 1 never figured out the breaks that run away from the mountains on the Broadmoor's greens and finished 6 over after four exhausting days.

"It's tough to play on and off," Tseng said. "Sometimes you just want to try to get rhythm, and it's really tough."

Paula Creamer didn't fare any better. The defending champion was 5 over through the first 14 holes of the last round and will play out the string Monday, starting at 7-over par.

- Story courtesy of ESPN.com and The Associated Press/Photo courtesy of Getty Images

KERR AMONG TRIO IN FRONT AFTER THREE ROUNDS

CRISTIE KERR

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Cristie Kerr, So Yeon Ryu and Angela Stanford were the only players in red numbers after three rounds of the U.S. Women's Open, heading into the final round of a 36-hole Sunday leading at 1-under par.

Kerr and Ryu each shot 2-under 69 in the third round and Stanford shot 70.

The leader coming into the day, Mika Miyazato, shot 5-over 76 and was a shot behind at even, a shot ahead of Ai Miyazato, who also shot 75.

Also at even was Hee Kyung Seo after the day's low round of 68.

Top-ranked Yani Tseng shot 71 in the third round then, after a quick turnaround, made two birdies over the first three holes of the final round to get to 2 over for the tournament.

- Story courtesy of Gannett News Service