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

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

KERR, ANDERSON TAKE EARLY OPEN LEAD

AMY ANDERSON

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Instead of teeing it up when she comes back to the Broadmoor, Cristie Kerr's next shot at the U.S. Women's Open will be a blast out of the bunker on the front, right side of the seventh green.

A difficult shot. It could be worse.

A quirky day of thunder and lightning – but only spits of rain – suspended play Thursday with 25 players making it through the first round. It was a bad break on the opening day of the toughest test in golf -- balky weather that figures to turn one of the most difficult weeks on the schedule into an even bigger grind.

"That's part of the gamble," said Christina Kim, who will try to squeeze in 36 holes on Friday.

The rain halted a mini streak for Kerr, who had made two straight birdies to get into a tie for the lead at 2-under par with amateur Amy Anderson. After her second birdie, Kerr, who opened her round on the back, teed off into the right rough on No. 7, then hit her approach into the sand. That's when the siren sounded and the players headed to the clubhouse.

"At least I'll get to practice some long bunker shots before we go out, so maybe it's a good thing for me," she said.

After halting play, the USGA kept the players in the clubhouse for 2½ hours, but with the thunder still rumbling and the radar blinking red, officials called play. There were 75 players on the course and 66 who hadn't hit a shot. That means nearly half the field, including defending champion Paula Creamer and Yani Tseng, trying to complete her career Grand Slam, could face 72 holes in three days.

The Broadmoor is the first U.S. Women's Open course to measure more than 7,000 yards – quite a haul, even at 6,700 feet in altitude.

"We were actually sitting here debating, what's the better draw?" Kim said. "Is it the one we have and we try to get 36 in in one day, or the one where you have 19 hours between shots in the same round?"

Sarah-Jane Smith of Australia falls into the latter category, but only barely. After hearing her name announced on the first tee box, Smith striped her first shot down the middle of the fairway and started walking. Suddenly, the sirens blared and she made a U-turn back to the clubhouse.

"I've not teed off at all before," she said. "But I've never hit one, then walked straight back in. I'm looking forward to it."

Then, pointing to her husband and caddie, Duane, she said, "He should have the yardage figured out by tomorrow morning."

For the record, Duane Smith says it will be a 150-yard shot when play resumes at 7:45 a.m. local time Friday.

And while Smith is sleeping on one good shot, Anderson will join Kerr in sleeping on the lead.

The second-team All-American from North Dakota State hit her approach on the par-5 ninth to tap-in range for her second birdie of the day. That put her at 2 under.

"The first-day leader," she said. "That's way more than I could have imagined."

She needs to hold onto the lead for six more holes to make it official.

The only other players under par when play was suspended were Inbee Park (through 17), Ai Miyazato (15) and Silvia Cavalleri, who birdied her first hole before play was halted. Karrie Webb was in a group of nine still on the course at even. Michelle Wie was 7 over through 17 holes.

The best score posted among the 25 players who had finished belonged to Kristy McPherson, who shot 2-over 73. That was one shot ahead of Aree Song and seven-time major winner Juli Inkster. Before the clouds rolled in, Inkster stood for about five minutes on the fairway of the par-5, 17th hole, waiting for the green to clear before she tried a 250-yard approach shot on a hole that had been unreachable during the practice rounds.

The shot came up about 20 yards short and Inkster settled for par.

"It's nice" to be done, Inkster said. "It's been a while since I've been on the good side of the switch. It's going to be a long day for them."

Typical of the U.S. Open, rounds were averaging more than five hours. Some of the players were surprised the USGA didn't wait a little longer before calling play, but the threat of rain and lightning never really abated. They'll need perfect weather the rest of the week to close out this tournament on Sunday.

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

HAWAIIAN TEEN GALDIANO YOUNGEST IN OPEN FIELD

MARIEL GALDIANO

 

It wasn't so long ago that Mariel Galdiano would wait patiently behind the rope to politely request an autograph from her favorite LPGA golfers at tour stops near her home in Hawaii.

Now, just a couple of weeks past her 13th birthday, the rope has been lifted. Mariel is having a hard time believing that she has the opportunity to be on the other side of that rope, and that the players she admired — well, still admires — will be her peers, and that girls might even ask for her autograph. She's been practicing her signature, just in case.

Mariel will be the youngest golfer in the 66th U.S. Women's Open, which tees off Thursday at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

She qualified by winning a sectional qualifying tournament in May when she was 12 years old and finishing seventh grade. She will be one of the youngest golfers in the history of the tournament (LPGA star Morgan Pressel and Alexis Thompson, now 16, both played in the tournament at age 12), and the youngest ever from Hawaii — breaking the mark of 13 years, 9 months set by Michelle Wie.

"It still hasn't sunk in yet," Mariel said shortly after arriving in Colorado on Friday. "Maybe it will when everyone is staring at me."

Mariel qualified for the U.S. Women's Open when she sank a birdie putt on the final hole of the 36-hole qualifier to win that tournament by one stroke. She entered the qualifying tournament for the experience and never expected to win, yet that birdie putt set her off on a wild summer adventure.

A week after her school year ended, Mariel packed her large red suitcase and flew to the U.S. mainland with her father, Roger. Over the course of eight weeks, they will crisscross the country as Mariel plays in five tournaments, from Oregon to Rhode Island.

All this only eight years after Roger Galdiano first bought his daughter a set of golf clubs, so a 5-year-old Mariel could accompany him on his daily trips to the course and driving range.

It wasn't long before Mariel advanced from what she described as "just hacking away" to participating in the junior golf program at Ko Olina, the club in Hawaii that hosted the LPGA's Fields Open from 2006-08.

Mariel was competitive on the junior circuit and won her share of tournaments against girls her own age.

Roger, a construction foreman, quit playing the game himself so he could focus on his daughter's burgeoning career. Mariel had a coach several years ago, but now Roger handles the coaching and caddying duties as he and his wife, Marivic, dream of Mariel earning a college scholarship to play golf.

"For us, it was either golf all the way or no golf," Roger Galdiano said.

Still, for Mariel, golf is just plain fun. While she enjoys shopping and watching movies with her friends, nothing beats an afternoon on the course.

She seems more excited to meet some of her favorite players — such as Paula Creamer and Annika Sorenstam, who will conduct a clinic at The Broadmoor on Wednesday — than she is nervous about actually playing in the biggest tournament in women's golf.

"I don't really expect to make the cut. This is about playing with pros and really just learning how they play," Mariel said. "And I can never forget to have fun. That's pretty much what this whole summer is about. Who knows when I'll ever qualify for this again?"

Pressel, now 23 and the owner of one major title, would likely agree with that mind-set.

"My advice to her would be to just have fun. When I played (in the U.S. Women's Open at age 12 in 2001), it really solidified my decision that this is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life," Pressel told The Denver Post at a tournament in Illinois last month. "I remember Karrie Webb winning, and seeing Annika and all these great players that I looked up to forever. To play against them, on the same golf course, the same week, it was pretty special. I just hung out in the locker room. I thought it was the coolest place to be, because the players were all people I looked up to."

- Story courtesy of the Denver Post

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: 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