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

M. MIYAZATO ON TOP AT U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

MIKA MIYAZATO

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For months now, the battered country of Japan has been looking for a lift.

By using her blossoming golf game as a tool for charity, 21-year-old Mika Miyazato could turn the U.S. Women's Open into the feel-good story her country seeks – and back it with some cold, hard cash.

Miyazato shot 67 to grab the lead at 5-under-par 137 at the halfway point at the Broadmoor on Saturday, where rain once again stopped play early and brought up the prospect of a grueling, 36-hole Sunday.

She had a one-shot lead over Ai Miyazato – who is not related but is from the same city, Okinawa. When the Miyazatos return to the course, they will play in the final group together, each wearing red and white pins they created to raise awareness for the thousands of victims in a country ravaged by an earthquake, tsunami and the resulting nuclear catastrophe.

The pins have Japanese characters that translate to "Never Give Up Japan."

For Mika, it goes beyond mere symbols, though. She is donating all her winnings from the 2011 majors to the Red Cross for the recovery cause in her home country. That has already totaled more than $100,000 thanks to top-10 finishes at the first two majors. First place at the U.S. Open is worth around $600,000.

"Winning majors is what I strive for," she said. "And to donate all of my earnings from the majors, I hope to give positive things to the people who are around the disaster area."

What a way to make a name for herself – even though Mika has spent most of her young career being confused with Ai Miyazato. Ai has six LPGA Tour victories to none for Mika and she has spent a longer time on the radar as the best hope to become the next golf superstar in a country that loves the game.
Not that Mika has complained much when people get them mixed up.

"Everybody thinks we're sisters," she said. "That way, everybody can remember me, because Ai is playing great."

For the final 36 holes, the Miyazatos will also be grouped with South Korea's I.K. Kim, who returned early Saturday with the lead, played the last four holes of her second round, then finished the day two shots behind – in third place at 3 under.

In an attempt to bring a Sunday conclusion to a tournament that has fallen behind after three straight afternoons of rain, the USGA will send threesomes off from the 1 and 10 tees Sunday and will not re-pair the groups after the third round. It brings up the prospect, however slight, of having a victory celebration on the ninth green.

Almost certain, though, is that the final 36 holes will be as much a test of endurance as shot-making. Play is set to resume at 6:45 a.m. local time and if there are no interruptions, tournament director Ben Kimbal said the last putt will drop at 7:07 p.m.

"Oh, the USGA makes it really tough for all of us," said Kim, who has been passing the considerable down time playing games she loaded onto her new iPad. "It's already tough out there. But weather, I mean, you can't really control it. You've really got to play with what we get."

The only other players to reach the halfway point under par were Stacy Lewis and Ryann O'Toole, both at 1 under.

Lewis led for much of the second round before making bogey and double-bogey in the hour after play resumed following a rain delay Friday evening. She played the last two holes of the second round Saturday morning and finished with a 73.

"I felt awful last night," said Lewis, who won the year's first major, the Nabisco. "I didn't feel much better when I woke up. It was just really tiring to me. I've played 36 holes before, but not on a golf course like this."

Defending champion Paula Creamer was in a six-way tie at even.

"You're either above it and move on and you just kind of accept that this is what it is," Creamer said, "or you dwell about it and let it get to you, and affect your game out there."

Four-time major winner Yani Tseng, trying to complete the career Grand Slam, was 4 over, nine shots out of the lead. After finishing her frustrating round Saturday morning, she said she was having more trouble dealing with the Broadmoor's hard-to-read greens than the weather.

But make no mistake. The East Course is taking a hunk out of these players. It's a 7,000-yard monster at 6,400 feet in elevation – a long walk on a normal day, let alone a multiple-round grind under major-championship conditions. Rounds averaged about 5½ hours Saturday.

"You come to this Open, you have to really prepare," said Se Ri Pak, who will start the third round at 2 over. "Mentally stronger, physically stronger, your game has to always be strong enough to make sure you stay the whole week."

- Story courtesy of The Associated Press/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