LPGA Update

Mizuno Classic
For the first time this year, the LPGA had an honest to goodness Asian swing. First they played in Thailand, where Hee-Won Han won her second event of 2006 in resounding fashion. Then they played in South Korea, and for the third time in four years, the event there produced a completely surprising result, with KLPGA player Jin Joo Hong capturing the trophy. For the third and final leg of the Asian swing, the tour moved to Japan, where the focus would once again be on Annika Sorenstam, as well as the LPGA debut of Ai Miyazato in her home country. The Koreans might have been an afterthought, but they certainly were hoping to continue their momentum. Mi Hyun Kim was certainly hoping she could measure up to Miyazato, as the picture at right shows!

It wouldn't be easy. Sorenstam had flat out owned this event, winning it the previous five years in a row. No one had ever done that before she did it last year. Korean fledgling star Young Kim gave it her best shot to beat her last year; she was in contention much of the three days, but in the end, Sorenstam proved too tough. Fortunately for the rest of the ladies in the field, the event was moving to a different course in 2006. Perhaps now they would have a chance to end Sorenstam's dominance.

One player who certainly hoped to make some noise was Gloria Park. Park had started the 2006 campaign poorly, and the death of her grandfather early in the year had put a damper on her season for months. In the last few months, however, she had started to surge, and had played quite well in the Asian swing. In fact, there was a lot on the line for her in this swing. This was the last chance Gloria had to win an event before the Tournament of Champions. If she did not win here, she would not be allowed to play in that event for the first time since 2000, as she has not won on tour since 2002. In addition, Gloria had played the best on the Asian swing of any player who had not qualified for the ADT championship. If she could hold on to that perch through the Mizuno, she would qualify for that event and a chance for the million dollar first prize. If she couldn't, she would see her season end at this event.

Some of the top Koreans in the field got out to decent starts, raising hopes that they might be factors through the tournament. Kimmie opened with a 2 under par 70, and both Meena Lee and Gloria Park started with 69s. Also shooting 69 on the opening day was Young Kim, who had done so well at this event in 2005, Sun Young Yoo, and Aree Song. The leader after round one was Rachel Hetherington, who shot a 65 to give herself a three shot lead over the field. The three under crowd were tied for 6th. This was a promising start.

Meanwhile, Sorenstam started with a one under par 71, as did Jeong Jang and Shi Hyun Ahn. Not a bad start, but one that would require her to do a little work to get control of the event. And with her arch rival Karrie Webb starting with a 3 under, she knew she could not take it too easy the rest of the week.

On Saturday, Sorenstam roared up the leaderboard, shooting a 6 under par 66 to move to 7 under total. But Webb shot a 67 to remain a shot ahead of her. Neither woman was the leader at the end of the day. That honor fell to JLPGA player Momoko Ueda, who shot a blistering 8 under par 64 to finish at 9 under total. Could the LPGA see a second consecutive Cinderella story, following the Kolon-Hana Bank Championship?

Several Koreans were hoping so, but that it would be a Korean from the JLPGA, not a Japanese player, who would don the glass slipper. Two Korean JLPGA players produced 7 under par 65s to move to 7 under total. They were Jeong Eun Lee and Yun Hee Ku. It no doubt helped them that they are used to playing in Japan. Miyazato also moved to 7 under, no doubt thrilling the hometown crowd. Meanwhile, Aree Song shot a 4 under 68 to also move to 7 under. She would get to play in the same group as Annika on Sunday. Could she at last fulfill the promise of her talent and win an event?

It would have to be one of those Koreans rising to the occasion, because the big stars were all lagging. Young Kim was at five under, still with a shot if she played lights out on Sunday. Meena and Sun Young Yoo were at four under, and Christina Kim had moved to three under. But Gloria Park shot a two over par round, severely hurting her chances to qualify for the ADT.

In the end, the tournament came down to Sorenstam and Webb. But then Webb put on the jets, and Sorenstam could not keep up. So Webb won the event by shooting a 14 under total for a four stroke win. Sorenstam finished third behind Japanese golfer Kaori Higo, who produced a 65 on day three to move to second.

Though no Korean was in serious contention, several did well just the same. Young Kim just missed a top ten, finishing 12th. But Aree Song had her best finish since the Safeway International in March, finishing tied for third with Sorenstam at 9 under. She beat both Miyazato and Shinobu Morimizato, young Japanese stars who finished tied at 8 under. Also finishing in third was Jeong Eun Lee, one of the Koreans playing the JLPGA tour.

As for Gloria Park, she shot a 72 on Sunday to finish well back in the pack in 47th. Unfortunately for her, American rookie Brittany Lang had a great week, finishing tied for third. That allowed her to make enough points to pip Gloria for the coveted qualification into the ADT Championship. Gloria's season is over unless she plays one of the season ending team events, but at least she gave it a good shot, finishing second behind Lang in the running for the qualification. Sun Young Yoo and Christina Kim finished tied for 17th with another Korean who plays on the JLPGA, Ji Hee Lee. Lee had a great day, shooting a 68, but it looked like she might have an even better one; she was five under at the turn. Still, a top 20 is a good result given the competition.

For many of the Koreans in the field, this was their last event of 2006. It's been a great season for many of them. But there is still some golf to be played this season, and you can bet the Korean ladies will be doing their best to put a glorious capper on this magical year.