Volume 1, Number 4 April 23, 2003
 

Takefuji 2003: Notes from the Strip

 Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Results

Hee-Won strikes gold again
This is getting to be a habit with her, isn't it? Congratulations to Hee-Won Han, who has notched yet another good finish, this time a fifth place. After a third place at the Ping, and a 20th place (her career best in a Major) at the Nabisco, Hee-Won got a little better each day at the Takefuji, starting with a so so 72, following that up with a dynamite 68, then shooting a 67 on Saturday to vault into the top ten and briefly challenge the leaders. This finish puts her 11th on the money list for the year. Way to go!

Reuters/Jeff Topping

Jimin makes the cut
Meanwhile, congratulations are also in order for Jimin Kang. She won a spot in the tournament via Monday qualifying, by triumphing in a playoff for the last spot. And she did it in style: by scoring an eagle in the playoff. She then made her first cut as an LPGA player. Although it was not the most spectaular of finishes, she started strongly, with a 70 that put her into the top 20. Her other two rounds were 74 and 75 for a 56th place finish. Also making her first LPGA cut was Soo Young Kim. Well done, ladies!
Grace continues to struggle
It was not all good news from Vegas, alas. It's hard to understand exactly what has been happening with Grace Park lately. After starting wonderfully with two consecutive top 5 finishes, she missed the cut at the Nabisco, struggled to a 25th place finish in Los Angeles, then had more problems in Las Vegas. The rumor is she is temporarily not using her Nike irons as she attempts to get some confidence back on the course. Grace had all sorts of bad luck this week, notably a double bogey on the par 5 18th. As she came into the hole with her third shot, a sudden gust of wind whipped up, stalling her ball in the air. It bounced against the rocks fronting the green and fell backwards into the water. It was that kind of week for Grace, who shot 74-71-75 and finished 62nd. In the third round some of the old Grace anger surfaced in the form of a swift kick to her golf bag after a bad shot. Chin up, Grace! We all know how talented you are! When it all starts to click again, and it will, you'll wonder why you ever got upset!
Results