THURSDAY'S FEATURED GROUPINGS/TEE TIMES

ANNA NORDQVIST

Here are our featured groupings and tee times for Thursday's first round at this week's 2011 RICOH Women's British Open:

2011 RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN
Dates: July 28-31, 2011
Site: Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
Course: Carnoustie Golf Links
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,490 yards

Thursday, July 28/Tee No. 1

(All times EDT)
Note: A-denotes amateur

6:30 a.m. – Caroline Hedwall, Sweden; Sophia Popov-A, Germany; Anna Nordqvist, Sweden
6:41 a.m. – Laura Davies, England; I.K. Kim, South Korea; Karrie Webb, Australia
6:52 a.m. – Cristie Kerr, United States; Momoko Ueda, Japan; Catriona Matthew, Scotland
7:14 a.m. – Michelle Wie, United States; Ai Miyazato, Japan; Na Yeon Choi, South Korea
7:25 a.m. – Maria Hjorth, Sweden; Angela Stanford, United States; Florentyna Parker, England

7:36 a.m. – Brittany Lincicome, United States; Yuri Fudoh, Japan; Becky Brewerton, Wales
9:37 a.m. – Paige Mackenzie, United States; Mindy Kim, United States; Jennifer Johnson, United States

10:10 a.m. – Lindsey Wright, Australia; Jimin Kang, United States; Amy Yang, South Korea
11:37 a.m. – Suzann Pettersen, Norway; Paula Creamer, United States; Sakura Yokomine, Japan
11:48 a.m. – Juli Inkster, United States; Beatriz Recari, Spain; Jiyai Shin, South Korea

11:59 a.m. – Morgan Pressel, United States; Yani Tseng, Chinese Taipei; Mika Miyazato, Japan
12:10 p.m. – Karen Stupples, England; Christina Kim, United States; Natalie Gulbis, United States

12:21 p.m. – Stacy Lewis, United States; Miki Saiki, Japan; Sophie Gustafson, Sweden
12:32 p.m. – Sandra Gal, Germany;Kristie Smith, Australia; Se Ri Pak, South Korea
1:38 p.m. – Lynnette Brooky, New Zealand; Inbee Park, United States; Linda Wessberg, Sweden

For a complete list of groupings and tee times, log on at: http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Pairings.aspx?TournamentID=27836

 

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live

- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

ANALYSIS: JAPANESE STAR A. MIYAZATO LEADS OUR TOP 10 BEST PERFORMANCES AT EVIAN MASTERS

There were several top-notch performances during the $3.25 million Evian Masters, some standing out more than others at the picturesque event held in southeastern France.

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

1. AI MIYAZATO

68-68-67-70 - 273 (1)

Country: Japan

World ranking: 6th

Finally, it all came together when it counted most. Miyazato played near flawless golf for four rounds, hitting clutch shots at the most critical times over the weekend and fending off her foes when they were breathing down her neck. And for her efforts, the highly popular Japanese sports icon was rewarded with her first win of the season. Miyazato's win shouldn't have surprised anyone. She already had a victory under her belt at the Evian Masters, earning the 2009 title. Miyazato was also coming off an impressive U.S. Women's Open, where she battled her way to a share of sixth place. And now comes the Women's British Open, an event where Miyazato has had a ton of success during her illustrious career. She has finished no worse than 11th place in five of the last six WBOs, giving her the confidence and realistic goal of winning consecutive titles.

2. STACY LEWIS

69-67-69-70 - 275 (2)

Country: United States

World ranking: 11th

Twitter: @Stacy_Lewis

The American star put together another beautiful week of golf at the Evian Masters, taking second place at the highly competitive tournament in southeastern France. Lewis was in the hunt for the crown deep into the tournament, as she battled eventual winner Miyazato on the back nine for the tournament hardware. Lewis came up just a bit short, but should be pleased with her play and continued success this season heading into this week's Women's British Open. Lewis, who won her first major title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship earlier this season, now has six top-10 finishes in 12 starts and hopes to improve off her tie for 31st place at last year's Women's British Open.

3. I.K. KIM

74-68-64-70 - 276 (T3)

Country: South Korea

World ranking: 7th

There isn't a more consistent player on the tour this season than Kim. After a dismal 2-over-par 74 to open things Thursday at the Evian Masters, Kim clawed her way back with a 4-under 68 Friday and followed that up with a tournament-best 8-under 64 on Saturday to put her in contention. Kim's 64 was just one stroke off from tying the event's record low of 63, set by Helen Alfredsson during her 2008 tournament win. Kim is more than due to win her first title of the season and first major championship of her career. The South Korean star has seven Top 10s in 10 events and has finished no worse than 15th in stroke-play tournaments (she earned a share of 17th in the Sybase Match Play Championship). Kim took a share of third last year in the Women's British Open and looks to improve on that effort at Carnoustie.

4. ANGELA STANFORD

70-66-69-70 - 276 (T3)

Country: United States

World ranking: 18th

Twitter: @Angela_Stanford

Stanford continued her brilliant play this season, proving she is a contender week in, week out on the tour. The American standout finished in a tie for third following her fourth-place finish at the U.S. Women's Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado. Stanford, who used a 6-under 66 to get in the mix Friday at the Evian Masters, has six top-10 finishes this year already and is primed to pick up her first win of the season. A true model of consistency on the course, Stanford could pick her first title this week in Scotland.

5. SUZANN PETTERSEN

73-67-69-68 - 277 (T6)

Country: Norway

World ranking: 3rd

Twitter: @suzannpettersen

Talk about a week of high and extreme lows. Pettersen opened with a disappointing round of 73 at the Evian Masters, but that wasn't the hardest part of her tournament. The Norwegian star was emotionally sacked and devastated during the event following news of the terrorist attacks that led to the senseless murders/deaths of nearly 100 people - many of whom were children - in her native land. However, showing a true sense of focus, Pettersen carried her heavy heart back on the course with a stellar weekend to work her way into a tie for sixth place. Pettersen, ranked third in the Rolex world rankings, is one of our picks going into this week's British Open.

6. MORGAN PRESSEL

71-69-69-68 - 277 (T6)

Country: United States

World ranking: 12th

We aren't sure if there has been a more quiet top-10 finish on the tour this season than the one Pressel put together in France. The American star got better as the week went on, picking up a piece of sixth place and some major confidence heading into the Women's British Open. Pressel, who has five top-10s this year so far, will be a dangerous player this week at Carnoustie and could pick up her first win of the season. She always plays well at the majors, including a tie for third at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and runner-up effort at the Wegmans LPGA Championship. Keep an eye on Pressel this week as she pursues her second major title.

7. MIKA MIYAZATO

71-68-68-71 - 279 (T9)

Country: Japan

World ranking: 22nd

Twitter: @mikachin1010

Our pick to win the Evian Masters going into the tournament, Miyazato played consistently throughout the tournament to earn a share of ninth place in her fourth top-10 finish of the 2011 season. Miyazato bookended rounds of 71 around two sizzling 68s, keeping her in contention throughout the event. Miyazato is primed for a victory this season as she continues to impress with her steady play. Look for continued success from the "other" Miyazato in the second of the LPGA Tour campaign.

8. MIKI SAIKI

68-68-67-70 - 273 (1)

Country: Japan

World ranking: 21st

Miki who? Plenty of people were asking that question after Saiki stormed out of the gate with back-to-back 68s to take the lead going into the weekend action. Saiki might not be known in the United States, but she is widely regarded as one of the best in Asia. The standout is one of the top players on the Japan LPGA Tour and sits at 21st in the official Rolex world rankings.

9. ANNA NORDQVIST

77-68-69-67 - 281 (T17)

Country: Sweden

World ranking: 30th

Twitter: @ANordqvist

From flirting with missing the cut to dominating the course on the weekend, the feisty Swede arguably put together the comeback of this year's tournament. Nordqvist opened with a brutal, 5-over 77 to put her in a tie for 99th place, but she would rally to play the final 54 holes at 12 under to crack the top 20 and earn a share of 17th place. Nordqvist, one of our favorites at LPGA Tour Live, should ride that momentum into this week's Women's British Open and be one to watch. She broke into our weekly Top-20 player rankings and currently sits 30th in the latest Rolex world standings.

10. PAIGE MACKENZIE

71-72-70-69 - 282 (T21)

Country: United States

World ranking: 121st

Twitter: @Paige_Mackenzie

Mackenzie had one Hell of a week in France. The University of Washington product didn't even know if she would make the Evian Masters field prior to heading overseas, but that didn't stop her from putting up one of her best performances of the year. Mackenzie kept her own yardage book for the first time in ages and, needless to say, she want to think about doing the same thing at the Women's British Open. She fired a final-round 69, vaulting her earnings to $132,220 for the season. Mackenzie has five top-25 finishes in eight events in the 2011 campaign.

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live

- Photos courtesy of Getty Images

TSENG STILL LEADING OUR TOP 20 PLAYER RANKINGS

YANI TSENG

LAS VEGAS – Here are the LPGA Tour Live Top 20 Player Rankings. They are as follows:

LPGA TOUR LIVE TOP 20 PLAYER RANKINGS

(As of Monday, July 25)

PLAYER, COUNTRY ............ LAST WEEK ..... EVIAN MASTERS FINISH

1-Yani TSENG, Chinese Taipei ... First .................................... Tied for 12th
2-Cristie KERR, United States ... Second ................................ Tied for 21st
3-I.K. KIM, South Korea ............... Third .................................... Tied for 3rd
4-Suzanne PETTERSEN, Norway ... Fourth ............................. Tied for 6th
5-Jiyai SHIN, South Korea ........... Fifth .................................... Tied for 17th

6-Angela STANFORD, United States ... Eighth ........................ Tied for 3rd
7-Ai MIYAZATO, Japan ... 16th .................................................... Champion
8-Morgan PRESSEL, United States ... 10th .............................. Tied for 6th
9-Stacy LEWIS, United States ... NR .............................................. Second
10-Mika MIYAZATO, Japan ... 13th ........................................... Tied for 9th

11-Paula CREAMER, United States ... Sixth ........................... Tied for 14th
12-Brittany LINCICOME, United States ... Ninth ..................... Tied for 14th
13-Karrie WEBB, Australia ... Seventh .................................... Tied for 56th
14-Maria HJORTH, Sweden ... 14th ......................................... Tied for 9th
15-Amy YANG, South Korea ... 15th ........................................ Tied for 14th

16-Inbee PARK, United States ... NR ...................................... Tied for 17th
17-Na Yeon CHOI, South Korea ... 11th ................................. Tied for 21st
18-Hee Kyung SEO, South Korea ... 12th .................................. Missed cut
19-Anna NORDQVIST, Sweden ... NR ................................... Tied for 17th
20-Catriona MATTHEW, Scotland ... 20th .............................. Tied for 36th

Honorable mention: Chella Choi, South Korea; Karen Stupples, England; Se Ri Pak, South Korea

Fell from rankings: Mindy Kim, United States (17); Michelle Wie, United States (18); Sandra Gal, Germany (19)

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live

- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

POND: PREDICTION RECAP FROM EVIAN MASTERS

MIKA MIYAZATO

EVIAN MASTERS PREDICTED/ACTUAL ORDER OF FINISH:

Winner: Mika Miyazato ... Finish: Tied for 9th
Runner-up: Morgan Pressel ... Finish: Tied for 6th
Third: I.K. Kim ... Finish: Tied for 3rd
Fourth: Jiyai Shin ... Finish: Tied for 17th

Fifth: Cristie Kerr ... Finish: Tied for 21st

Next five finishers:

Sixth: Suzann Pettersen ... Finish: Tied for 6th

Seventh: Meena Lee ... Finish: Tied for 44th

Eighth: Yani Tseng ... Finish: Tied for 12th

Ninth: Song-Hee Kim ... Finish: Tied for 50th

Tenth: Ai Miyazato ... Finish: Champion

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

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

AI MIYAZATO

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

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

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

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

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

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

AI MIYAZATO

Finish: Champion (-15, 273)

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

I.K. KIM

Finish: Tied for 3rd (-12, 276)

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

MORGAN PRESSEL

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

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Finish: Tied for 6th (-11, 277)

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

MIKA MIYAZATO

Finish: Tied for 9th (-10, 278)

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

YANI TSENG

Finish: Tied for 12th (-9, 279)

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

PAULA CREAMER

Finish: Tied for 14th (-8, 280)

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

JIYAI SHIN

Finish: Tied for 17th (-7, 281)

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

CRISTIE KERR

Finish: Tied for 21st (-6, 282)

Scoring by rounds: 73-73-71-73

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

HEE KYUNG SEO

Finish: Missed cut

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

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

POND: HJORTH LEADS CHARGE OF 'SLEEPER' GROUP

MARIA HJORTH

Sooner or later, Maria Hjorth is going to find herself in the winner's circle. Her play at this week's Evian Masters, once again, proved just that.

The powerful, long-hitting Swede used her length, delicate touch around the greens and stellar putting to grab a share of ninth place at the picturesque tournament held in southeastern France.

After opening with a sizzling 5-under-par 67, Hjorth finished the final 54 holes at 5 under to get to 10 under for the tournament.

Amy Yang, who has become a favorite in our "sleeper" group, finished tied for 14th at 8 under par following a 5-under 67 in the final round. The South Korean also carded a 67 on Friday in the second round of play.

But perhaps the most impressive play - and tournament rally - came from Anna Nordqvist. The Swede barely made the cut, opening with a brutal, 5-over 77 for a share of 99th place. However, Nordqvist put that shaky start behind her to go 12 under the rest of the way to pick up a share of 17th place and confidence heading into next week's Women's British Open.

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

MARIA HJORTH

Finish: Tied for 9th (-10, 278)

Scoring by rounds: 67-69-70-72
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 16th (-6)

AMY YANG

Finish: Tied for 14th (-8, 280)
Scoring by rounds: 73-67-73-67
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 64th (+3)

ANNA NORDQVIST

Finish: Tied for 17th (-7, 281)
Scoring by rounds: 77-68-69-67
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 19th (-5)

MEENA LEE

Finish: Tied for 44th (Even, 288)

Scoring by rounds: 71-73-72-72
2010 Evian Masters finish: Tied for 16th (-6)

SONG-HEE KIM

Finish: Tied for 50th (+1, 289)

Scoring by rounds: 71-71-71-76

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

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live

- Photo courtesy of Getty Images

AI, CARAMBA! JAPANESE STAR MIYAZATO TRIUMPHS FOR SECOND CAREER EVIAN MASTERS CROWN

AI MIYAZATO

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France – Ai Miyazato clinched her first title of the year at the Evian Masters on Sunday and pledged to share her prize money with the people still suffering in the aftermath of the disasters back home in Japan.

Miyazato shot a 2-under 70 to protect her two-shot lead and hold off a surge from Stacy Lewis of the United States, the Kraft Nabisco winner who missed a golden chance to even the scores on the 16th hole.

The 26-year-old Miyazato will now donate at least part of her $487,500 first prize to the relief efforts in Japan.

"I haven't decided yet, whether it will be all of the amount or some of it," she said. "This year I was playing for Japan."

Miyazato played with consistency throughout the tournament, dropping shots on just five of the 72 holes overall and finishing with a 15-under total of 273. Lewis also shot a 70 to finish two shots back in second, with a trio of players another stroke behind.

"It feels amazing, this is my favorite tournament so I'm really happy that I could win this again," Miyazato said. "Especially (because) right now, Japan's having a tough time. So I am just really happy to bring some happiness to Japan."

Miyazato had not won a title since the Safeway Classic last August, and she now has seven LPGA titles overall. She won her first at Evian in 2009, and added five more last year.

"There was so much happening at the beginning of the season, to be honest," Miyazato said, referring to the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March. "I always have Japan in my thoughts, it gives me motivation to play."

Miyazato raised both arms in the air after she sank her winning putt, and several players ran on to the green to soak her with water.

Miyazato joins two-time winners Laura Davies of England and Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, and needs one more Evian win to tie Sweden's Helen Alfredsson, the inaugural tournament champion and record-holder with three.

"I want to win it as many times as possible," Miyazato said. "I am looking forward to getting more opportunities."

Lewis, the Kraft Nabisco winner, kept the pressure on and moved one shot behind Miyazato with a birdie on the 15th.

"We played in the same group yesterday, she played well without mistakes," Miyazato said. "Even though she was in front of me I knew she would play solid today."

But, with a birdie chance to level the match on the next hole, Lewis three-putted for a bogey to be two adrift of Miyazato again, her chances slipping away.

"That's the one shot I wish I could go back and hit again. Just left myself in a really bad spot," Lewis said. "When I missed that putt, I looked up and saw (Miyazato) had fallen back to 15 under, so I was kind of disappointed with that."

Lewis had been self-critical after all her previous three rounds, saying she lacked a cutting edge in the last few holes of the day.

"I knew I was in (contention) when I made the putt on 15," Lewis said. "Just kind of disappointed with 16."
Lewis' luck had clearly deserted her when her putt for birdie on the 17th stopped agonizingly short. She could only make par on the 18th, a hole designed for attacking.

Miki Saiki of Japan, Angela Stanford of the United States, and South Korea's I.K. Kim all finished three shots behind Miyazato.

Kim had moved into contention at 10 under following a brilliant third round of 64, but the South Korean's bid was undone by three straight bogeys on the front nine Sunday.

Miyazato started with three birdies and no bogeys on the front nine. On the fifth, Miyazato's drive hit the lip of the green and rolled back, leaving her a 15-yard uphill putt for birdie. She got it close enough to comfortably make par, and then birdied the sixth and had another on the eighth to surge ahead at 16 under. At that point, it looked as if it would be a comfortable victory.

Miyazato then showed signs of nerves on the back nine.

A bogey on the 12th and a birdie from South Korea's Ran Hong, Miyazato's playing partner on the day, trimmed her lead to just one shot.

Miyazato bounced right back with a birdie on the next hole, while Hong then bogeyed to drop three behind and give Miyazato some breathing space, which she needed after another bogey on the 14th.

"I was nervous this morning, but I had a really good feeling with my game and I really trusted myself," Miyazato said. "Even when my lead was down to one I was never in a hurry, I expected that to happen."

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