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

POND: PREDICTION RECAP FROM U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN PREDICTED/ACTUAL ORDER OF FINISH:

Winner: Morgan Pressel ... Finish: Tied for 21st

Runner-up: Yani Tseng ... Finish: Tied for 15th

Third: Jiyai Shin ... Finish: Tied for 10th

Fourth: Paula Creamer ... Finish: Tied for 15th

Fifth: Suzann Pettersen ... Finish: Tied for 15th

Next five finishers:

Sixth: Cristie Kerr ... Finish: Third

Seventh: Shanshan Feng ... Finish: Tied for 42nd

Eighth: I.K. Kim ... Finish: Tied for 10th

Ninth: Christina Kim ... Finish: Missed cut

Tenth: Inbee Park ... Finish:: Tied for 6th

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live

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

POND: YANG LONE BRIGHT SPOT OF 'SLEEPER' GROUP

AMY YANG

It wasn't a great week for our group of five potential surprises at the U.S. Women's Open, with just one player getting into contention during the final round of play.

South Korean standout Amy Yang led the unimpressive bunch, finishing in a tie for 10th place in the grueling four-round affair which spanned five days on The Broadmoor's East Course.

Shanshan Feng wound up with a share of 42nd place after another up-and-down tournament. Americans Christina Kim, Alexis Thompson and Jane Park all missed the cut at the third major tournament of the season.

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

AMY YANG

Finish: Tied for 10th (+4, 288)

Scoring by rounds: 75-69-73-71

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

 

SHANSHAN FENG

Finish: Tied for 42nd (+12, 296)

Scoring by rounds: 76-72-77-71

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Missed cut

 

CHRISTINA KIM

Finish: Missed cut

Scoring by rounds: 74-78

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

 

ALEXIS THOMPSON

Finish: Missed cut

Scoring by rounds: 77-76

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

 

JANE PARK

Finish: Missed cut

Scoring by rounds: 76-85

2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Did not compete

 

- Photo 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

POND: AMERICAN KERR SHOWS FEISTY - YET BITTER - SIDE WITH QUOTE ABOUT LEADER SEO TO MEDIA

CRISTIE KERR

"The tournament is not decided yet. 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."
- Cristie Kerr, talking about leader Hee Kyung Seo after seeing her hug friends and family following the South Korean star's back-to-back rounds of 68 to put her in the clubhouse lead.


I would probably be mad and frustrated as well if I was Kerr, the world's top player American and two-time major champion. Finishing in the top four in six of the past eight tournaments, including three runner-up finishes, will do that to someone.

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

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

PLAY SUSPENDED WITH LEWIS IN OPEN LEAD

I.K. KIM

Running updates from the U.S. Women's Open

(All times EDT)

8:09 p.m. - Inclement weather moving through the area has led to a suspension of play during the second round of action. Stacy Lewis maintains her one-stroke lead over I.K. Kim and Ryann O'Toole.

7:45 p.m. - I.K. Kim and Ryann O'Toole have moved with one stroke of leader of American Stacy Lewis in the second round of play. Kim has has played bogey-free golf so far in the tournament. Lewis is 1 under for her round at 4 under par. Kim and O'Toole are at 3 under, with amateur Amy Anderson alone in fourth place at 2 under for the tournament.

6:42 p.m. - Stacy Lewis has taken a three-stroke lead during the second round, moving to 5 under par through seven holes. South Korean star I.K. Kim has climbed into a share of second place at 1 under with Americans Ryann O'Toole and amateur Amy Anderson. Kim and O'Toole are through six holes on their respective rounds.

4:04 p.m. - American Stacy Lewis closed out her sizzling round of 3-under 69, giving her the lead following the completion of first-round action Friday at the U.S. Women's Open. Lewis sits one stroke ahead of fellow Americans Lizette Salas, Ryann O'Toole and amateur Amy Anderson.

Karrie Webb and I.K. Kim are among a group two shots back at 1 under heading into the second round of play. Defending champion Paula Creamer and Yani Tseng - the world's No. 1 player chasing the career Grand Slam this week at The Broadmoor - finished with scores of 2-over-par 74 in their respective rounds.

2:33 p.m. – Americans Lizette Salas and amateur Amy Anderson each carded a 2-under-par 70, giving them a share of the clubhouse lead Friday at the U.S. Women's Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.

- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: PRESSEL READY TO END TSENG'S DOMINANCE, BRING HOME U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

MORGAN PRESSEL

U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

Winner: Morgan Pressel
Runner-up: Yani Tseng
Third: Jiyai Shin
Fourth: Paula Creamer
Fifth: Suzann Pettersen

Next five finishers:
Cristie Kerr
Shanshan Feng
I.K. Kim
Christina Kim
Inbee Park

* 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: FIVE WHO WILL SHINE AT U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

CHRISTINA KIM

Here are five players who are primed for big performances this week at the 2011 U.S. Women's Open Championship at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.:

CHRISTINA KIM

* Last tournament: Missed cut at the Wegmans LPGA Championship

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

AMY YANG

* Last tournament: Tied for 12th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship

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

ALEXIS THOMPSON

* Last tournament: Missed cut at the Wegmans LPGA Championship

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

JANE PARK

* Last tournament: Missed cut at the Wegmans LPGA Championship

* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Did not compete

SHANSHAN FENG

* Last tournament: Tied for 50th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship

* 2010 U.S. Women's Open finish: Missed cut

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images

KERR LEADS PACK CHASING MIGHTY TSENG

CRISTIE KERR

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Cristie Kerr and the rest of the LPGA are taking aim at Yani Tseng, who has established herself as the tour’s dominant player.

The last time Cristie Kerr played in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Broadmoor resort, she was a 16-year-old high school student who shot a pair of 75s and missed the cut. This week, she wants the outcome to be a little different.

“I’ve gotten a lot older and a lot wiser,” said Kerr, 33, the Miami native who is now No. 2 in the world rankings and coming off a third-place finish in the LPGA Championship two weeks ago. “I have the U.S. Open under my belt, so I kind of look at the course differently and pick it apart a little differently. When I was an amateur, I just sort of played.”

If Kerr and anyone else in the field of 156 expects to prevail by Sunday evening, they will have to play superior golf against the most dominant female player on the planet these days. That would be 22-year-old Yani Tseng of Taiwan, less than two weeks removed from her overwhelming 10-shot victory in the LPGA Championship.

Tseng will be aiming at her fifth major title, and no woman has ever gotten to four any faster. If she wins, she also will have the distinction of winning each of the four major championships at least once.

Tseng came to Colorado and said, “I feel very calm and I don’t feel any pressure.” That can hardly be reassuring for the rest of the field, though Kerr was not ready to concede anything.

“On a golf course like this, with all the rough and the greens and all the different factors, and you also have to consider the altitude,” she said. “You should expect to see some of those top players on the leaderboard. I’d like to think my experience (15 previous Opens) … knowing what it takes … that’s a good thing I’ve got under my belt.”

For inspiration, Tseng went over to Annika Sorenstam’s house near Orlando last week to share a few glasses of wine. Tseng, who lives in a home she purchased from Sorenstam two years ago, said she asked her friend, who won her first Open title at the Broadmoor in 1995, “am I putting too high of expectations to win this tournament?”

Tseng said Sorenstam told her, “If you just play the same as last week, you’re going to win.”

It took Sorenstam 15 years to win 10 major championships over her Hall of Fame career. She has already called Tseng the new “face of the game.”

On Wednesday, Sorenstam described her as “a young lady who … has just embraced the golf world. She’s doing so many great things. She’s really taken the No. 1 spot to another level. She’s learning English. She wants to be the best. She wants to be the face of the LPGA. I mean, she’s got the game. I think we all know that. Long hitter and good short game and all that.

“She’s very mentally strong. To come out and win four majors already at the age of 22, I think it’s impressive. What I saw many years ago was just that: I saw an impressive young lady with a lot of potential, a lot of will. She just has the pieces of the game that I thought would make it. And the pieces she didn’t have, she either went and found them or improved whatever she had. … This is just a beginning.”

Juli Inkster, who is in the field this week, also has been suitably impressed.

“You look at Yani and you never think there will be another Mickey Wright or another Annika Sorenstam or Lorena (Ochoa), and all of a sudden Yani comes along,” Inkster said. “Yani has Lorena’s power. I mean she can bomb the ball. She’s got a lot of passion for the game. She wants to be the best. She wants to get better. So she could be here for a while. If she stays healthy, she could probably break a lot of Annika’s records.”

Tseng and Paula Creamer, the defending champion, will be paired in the first two rounds on a course that is the longest in tournament history at 7,047 yards playing to a par 71. There will be typically thick Open-style rough, and the Broadmoor’s greens have been firm and quick in the practice rounds.

“In a normal tournament, I worry too much if I don’t make birdie and other people are going to make a bunch of birdies,” Tseng said. “I think I just focus more on majors. I love a tough course. I love the challenge. You’re not going to be shooting lots of low scores. You need to be patient.’’

- Story courtesy of the Miami Herald

LAS VEGAS HILTON RELEASES ODDS, MAKES TSENG 2011 U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FAVORITE

YANI TSENG

In the city where gambling is king, one Las Vegas sportsbook knows exactly who the queen of women's golf is at the moment.

The Las Vegas Hilton sports book, the leading oddsmaker in Sin City, released its odds Tuesday and, to no surprise, made star Yani Tseng the favorite to win this week's 2011 U.S. Women's Open Championship at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Co.

Tseng, who most recently won the Wegmans LPGA Championship in Pittsford, N.Y., opened as the 4-1 favorite to win another major championship and complete her quest for the career Grand Slam.

American star Cristie Kerr, currently ranked No. 2 in the Rolex world rankings behind Tseng, is the second betting choice at 13-2, followed by Norway's Suzann Pettersen at 10-1 odds. Defending U.S. Women's Open champion Paula Creamer, along with South Korean standouts I.K. Kim and Jiyai Shin, sit at 15-1 as tournament action commences Thursday in the Rocky Mountain region.

Here's a look at all odds, including head-to-head wagering between players, at the Las Vegas Hilton sportsbook:

2011 U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The Broadmoor - East Course
Colorado Springs, Co.
July 7-10

OFFICIAL BETTING ODDS
ODDS TO WIN:
YANI TSENG ... 4/1
CRISTIE KERR ... 13/2
SUZANN PETTERSEN ... 10/1
I.K. KIM ... 15/1
JIYAI SHIN ... 15/1
PAULA CREAMER ... 15/1
BRITTANY LINCICOME ... 20/1
NA YEON CHOI ... 25/1
MORGAN PRESSEL ... 30/1
STACY LEWIS ... 30/1
INBEE PARK ... 30/1
MICHELLE WIE ... 40/1
KARRIE WEBB ... 40/1
MARIA HJORTH ... 40/1
AMY YANG ... 40/1
ANGELA STANFORD ... 40/1
ANNA NORDQVIST ... 50/1
AI MIYAZATO ... 50/1
NATALIE GULBIS ... 150/1
FIELD (all others) ... 5/4

TOURNAMENT MATCHUPS:
CRISTIE KERR ... +130
YANI TSENG ... -150

PAULA CREAMER ... +105
SUZANN PETTERSEN ... -125

NA YEON CHOI ... -110
BRITTANY LINCICOME ... -110

STACY LEWIS ... EVEN
MORGAN PRESSEL ... -120

KARRIE WEBB ... -110
MICHELLE WIE ... -110

- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

THURSDAY'S FEATURED GROUPS/TEE TIMES

JULI INKSTER

Here are our featured groupings and tee times for Thursday's first round at this week's 2011 U.S. Women's Open Championship:

2011 U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Dates: July 7-10, 2011
Site: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Course: East Course at The Broadmoor
Par: 71 (36-35)
Yardage: 7,047 yards

Thursday, July 7/Tee No. 1

(All times EDT)
Note: A-denotes amateur

9:33 a.m. – Jane Park, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Amanda Blumenherst, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Juli Inkster, Los Altos, Calif.

9:55 a.m. – Jennifer Rosales, Anaheim, Calif.; Natalie Gulbis, Las Vegas, Nev.; Meena Lee, Korea

10:28 a.m. – Alexis Thompson, Coral Springs, Fla.; Mariajo Uribe, Colombia; Eun-Hee Ji, Korea

Thursday, July 7/Tee No. 10

9:55 a.m. – Se Ri Pak, Korea; Inbee Park, Korea; Michelle Wie, Honolulu, Hawaii

10:06 a.m. – Mika Miyazato, Japan; Sandra Gal, Germany; Maria Hjorth, Sweden

10:28 a.m. – Ai Miyazato, Japan; Karrie Webb, Australia; Cristie Kerr, Miami, Fla.

Thursday, July 7/Tee No. 1

3:14 p.m. – Anna Nordqvist, Sweden; Angela Stanford, Saginaw, Texas; Morgan Pressel, Boca Raton, Fla.

3:36 p.m. – A-Danielle Kang, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Yani Tseng, Chinese Taipei; Paula Creamer, Pleasanton, Calif.

4:20 p.m. – Laura Diaz, Scotia, N.Y.; Karen Stupples, England; Alison Walshe, Westford, Mass.

Thursday, July 7/Tee No. 10

3:36 p.m. – Brittany Lincicome, Seminole, Fla.; Stacy Lewis, The Woodlands, Texas; Na Yeon Choi, Korea

3:58 p.m. – Jiyai Shin, Korea; Suzann Pettersen, Norway; I.K. Kim, Korea

4:09 p.m. – Beatriz Recari, Spain; Kyeong Bae, Korea; Shinae Ahn, Korea

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live

- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

GROUPINGS, TEE TIMES SET FOR U.S WOMEN'S OPEN

NATALIE GULBIS

Here are the groupings and tee times for first two rounds of play at this week's 2011 U.S. Women's Open Championship:

2011 U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Dates: July 7-10, 2011
Site: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Course: East Course at The Broadmoor
Par: 71 (36-35)
Yardage: 7,047 yards

Thursday (July 7), No. 1; Friday (July 8), No. 10
(All times EDT)
Note: A-denotes amateur
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Nicole Hage, Coral Springs, Fla.; A-Mariah Stackhouse, Riverdale, Ga.; Lauren Doughtie, Suffolk, Va.
9:11 a.m. – 2:41 p.m.: Joanna Coe, Mays Landing, N.J.; A-Margarita Ramos, Tucson, Ariz.; Whitney Wade, Glasgow, Ky.
9:22 a.m. – 2:52 p.m.: Candie Kung, Chinese Taipei; Katie Futcher, The Woodlands, Texas; Aree Song, Korea
9:33 a.m. – 3:03 p.m.: Jane Park, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Amanda Blumenherst, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Juli Inkster, Los Altos, Calif.
9:44 a.m. – 3:14 p.m.: A-Kelly Shon, Port Washington, N.Y.; Jinyoung Pak, Korea; Mallory Blackwelder, Versailles, Ky.
9:55 a.m. – 3:25 p.m.: Jennifer Rosales, Anaheim, Calif.; Natalie Gulbis, Las Vegas, Nev.; Meena Lee, Korea
10:06 a.m. – 3:36 p.m.: A-Emma Talley, Princeton, Ky.; Cindy Lacrosse, Tampa, Fla.; Leta Lindley, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
10:17 a.m. – 3:47 p.m.: Harukyo Nomura, Japan; Whitney Neuhauser, Charlottesville, Va.; A-Erynne Lee, Silverdale, Wash.
10:28 a.m. – 3:58 p.m.: Alexis Thompson, Coral Springs, Fla.; Mariajo Uribe, Colombia; Eun-Hee Ji, Korea
10:39 a.m. – 4:09 p.m.: Stacy Prammanasudh, Enid, Okla.; Yukari Baba, Japan; Lindsey Wright, Australia
10:50 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.: A-Victoria Tanco, Argentina; Anya Sarai Alvarez, Tulsa, Okla.; Jaclyn Sweeney, Bradenton, Fla.
11:01 a.m. – 4:31 p.m.: Mina Harigae, Monterey, Calif.; A-Amy Anderson, Oxbow, N.D.; Jennifer Song, Orlando, Fla.
11:12 a.m. – 4:42 p.m.: A-Jennifer Kirby, Canada; Mi-Jeong Jeon, Japan; Lee-Anne Pace, South Africa

Thursday (July 7), No. 10; Friday (July 8), No. 1
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Ashley Prange, Noblesville, Ind.; A-Brittany Marchand, Canada; Anna Grzebien, Narragansett, R.I.
9:11 a.m. – 2:41 p.m.: A-Ariya Jutanugarn, Thailand; Jean Chua, Malaysia; Jimin Kang, Scottsdale, Ariz.
9:22 a.m. – 2:52 p.m.: Momoko Ueda, Japan; Kristy McPherson, Tampa, Fla.; Jee Young Lee, Korea
9:33 a.m. – 3:03 p.m.: Michele Redman, Plymouth, Minn.; Haeji Kang, Korea; Heather Bowie Young, Fort Worth, Texas
9:44 a.m. – 3:14 p.m.: Sue Kim, Canada; Paola Moreno, Colombia; A-Lisa McCloskey, Montgomery, Texas
9:55 a.m. – 3:25 p.m.: Se Ri Pak, Korea; Inbee Park, Korea; Michelle Wie, Honolulu, Hawaii
10:06 a.m. – 3:36 p.m.: Mika Miyazato, Japan; Sandra Gal, Germany; Maria Hjorth, Sweden
10:17 a.m. – 3:47 p.m.: Hee Young Park, Korea; Soojin Yang, Korea; Vicky Hurst, Melbourne, Fla.
10:28 a.m. – 3:58 p.m.: Ai Miyazato, Japan; Karrie Webb, Australia; Cristie Kerr, Miami, Fla.
10:39 a.m. – 4:09 p.m.: Shanshan Feng, Ppls Rep. of China; Hsiao-Ching (Teresa) Lu, Chinese Taipei; Gwladys Nocera, France
10:50 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.: Garrett Phillips, St Simons Island, Ga.; A-Mariel Galdiano, Pearl City, Hawaii; Dewi Claire Schreefel, Netherlands
11:01 a.m. – 4:31 p.m.: Amy Yang, Korea; Sun Young Yoo, Korea; A-Rachel Rohanna, Waynesburg, Pa.
11:12 a.m. – 4:42 p.m.: Belen Mozo, Spain; Shi Hyun Ahn, Korea; Becky Morgan, Wales

Thursday (July 7), No. 1; Friday (July 8), No. 10
2:30 p.m. – 9 a.m.: Sarah Kemp, Australia; A-Kyung Kim, Chandler, Ariz.; Lizette Salas, Azusa, Calif.
2:41 p.m. – 9:11 a.m.: Sarah-Jane Smith, Australia; A-Moriya Jutanugarn, Thailand; Yoo Kyeong Kim, Korea
2:52 p.m. – 9:22 a.m.: Sakura Yokomine, Japan; Katherine Hull, Australia; Song Hee Kim, Korea
3:03 p.m. – 9:33 a.m.: Sophie Gustafson, Sweden; So Yeon Ryu, Korea; Laura Davies, England
3:14 p.m. – 9:44 a.m.: Anna Nordqvist, Sweden; Angela Stanford, Saginaw, Texas; Morgan Pressel, Boca Raton, Fla.
3:25 p.m. – 9:55 a.m.: Brittany Lang, McKinney, Texas; Bo Mee Lee, Korea; Catriona Matthew, Scotland
3:36 p.m. – 10:06 a.m.: A-Danielle Kang, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Yani Tseng, Chinese Taipei; Paula Creamer, Pleasanton, Calif.
3:47 p.m. – 10:17 a.m.: M.J. Hur, Korea; Christina Kim, San Jose, Calif.; Jessica Korda, Bradenton, Fla.
3:58 p.m. – 10:28 a.m.: Ryann O'Toole, San Clemente, Calif.; Hee Kyung Seo, Korea; A-Chelsea Mocio, Fort Worth, Texas
4:09 p.m. – 10:39 a.m.: Birdie Kim, Korea; A-Doris Chen, Bradenton, Fla.; Julieta Granada, Paraguay
4:20 p.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Laura Diaz, Scotia, N.Y.; Karen Stupples, England; Alison Walshe, Westford, Mass.
4:31 p.m. – 11:01 a.m.: Alena Sharp, Canada; Saehee Son, Korea; A-Xiyu Lin, Ppls Rep. of China
4:42 p.m. – 11:12 a.m.: Azahara Munoz, Spain; Heewon Han, Korea; Katy Harris, Humble, Texas

Thursday (July 7), No. 10; Friday (July 8), No. 1
2:30 p.m. – 9 a.m.: Jennifer Johnson, Carlsbad, Calif.; Naon Min, Korea; Silvia Cavalleri, Italy
2:41 p.m. – 9:11 a.m.: Sun Ju Ahn, Korea; A-Stephanie Kono, Honolulu, Hawaii; Karin Sjodin, Sweden
2:52 p.m. – 9:22 a.m.: Jessi Gebhardt, Bellingham, Wash.; Mihyun Kim, Korea; A-Emily Collins, Colleyville, Texas
3:03 p.m. – 9:33 a.m.: Junthima Gulyanamitta, West Lafayette, Ind.; A-Christine Wolf, Austria; Shinobu Moromizato, Japan
3:14 p.m. – 9:44 a.m.: Seon Hwa Lee, Korea; Reilley Rankin, Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Hye Youn Kim, Korea
3:25 p.m. – 9:55 a.m.: Betsy King, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Sherri Steinhauer, Madison, Wis.; Pat Hurst, Danville, Calif.
3:36 p.m. – 10:06 a.m.: Brittany Lincicome, Seminole, Fla.; Stacy Lewis, The Woodlands, Texas; Na Yeon Choi, Korea
3:47 p.m. – 10:17 a.m.: Meaghan Francella, Port Chester, N.Y.; Amy Hung, Chinese Taipei; Wendy Ward, San Antonio, Texas
3:58 p.m. – 10:28 a.m.: Jiyai Shin, Korea; Suzann Pettersen, Norway; I.K. Kim, Korea
4:09 p.m. – 10:39 a.m.: Beatriz Recari, Spain; Kyeong Bae, Korea; Shinae Ahn, Korea
4:20 p.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Danah Bordner, Indianapolis, Ind.; Sofie Andersson, Sweden; A-Lindy Duncan, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
4:31 p.m. – 11:01 a.m.: Brittany Johnston, Akron, Ohio; Young-A Yang, Korea; A-Gabriella Then, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
4:42 p.m. – 11:12 a.m.: Melissa Reid, England; A-Christina Proteau, Canada; Chella Choi, Korea

- 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

ALTITUDE COULD CUT INTO BROADMOOR'S LENGTH

THE BROADMOOR

A course that measures 7,047 yards will be a grind for the world’s best women’s golfers. Tackling it with the benefit of high altitude should at least give them a fighting chance.

That was the logic of U.S. Golf Association executive director Mike Davis in concocting the record layout for the U.S. Women’s Open, which begins Thursday (practices start Monday) on the East Course of The Broadmoor at an elevation of 6,230 feet, the highest among 27 LPGA Tour stops.

No other event on the 10-month circuit comes close to matching what players will face in Colorado Springs, which last hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 1995. Most other LPGA Tour events are contested virtually at sea level, the exceptions being stops at 1,150 feet in Phoenix; at 1,368 feet in Rogers, Ark.; at 1,867 feet in Henderson, Nev.; and at 5,138 feet in Guadalajara, Mexico. The other three majors are played at less than 600 feet.

Davis estimates the altitude in the Springs should make balls travel as much as 12 percent farther on holes that are downhill, including No. 17, a 600-yard par-5. That means when defending U.S. Women’s Open champion Paula Creamer hammers a typical drive of 245 yards, she’ll get much-needed extra distance to give herself a manageable approach shot.

Creamer said she wants “to hit the ball higher. Take advantage of the altitude. Get more distance with my longer irons and with the driver. … Not every golf course you have to have a draw or a fade, but you do need that here. There are certain fairways that you want to take advantage of the slope of the fairway. You know it’s going to be much firmer, and the most distance and the roll that I can get is something I want to take advantage of.”

Capitalizing on the altitude will help negate difficulty on greens Davis dubbed “every bit as scary as what they were last year” at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, where Creamer was the only player below par at 3-under. Ditto for rough as thick as 4 inches, “so the farther you get off the beaten path,” Davis said, “the more severe the rough will be.” And same goes for sand traps that are “more like hazards,” Davis said, “like they’re designed to be.”

Players undoubtedly will rely on the altitude during an “incredibly difficult” stretch from No. 10 to No. 15, Davis said. “If you can play those holes anywhere close to par, maybe a few over,” he added, “you are absolutely going to pick up strokes on the field.” With the altitude, pars also are possible on No. 17, despite its length, and the other two par-5s, No. 3 at 560 yards and No. 9 at 535 yards, and Davis maintains they all “can be birdie holes.”

In surpassing Interlachen Country Club in Minneapolis, the previous longest course for a U.S. Women’s Open at 6,789 yards in 2008, the par-71 East Course is certainly “not all about power,” Davis said. “It’s about shot-making and thinking your way around the golf course. … Length is never the issue, and I don’t think it will be this year either.”

- Courtesy of The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Co.