2006 HSBC Women's World Match Play

Last year, this event provided a springboard for Meena Lee; although she (barely) lost in the final round to Colombian Marisa Baena (the final score was 1 up), her second place finish vaulted her into the top 20 on the money list. Just a few weeks later, she claimed her first title on tour at the Canadian Women's Open, and went on to finish 7th on the money list that year.

Meena's success at the event covered a rather shocking result, however. That despite having more than a dozen Korean stars in the tournament, none save Meena advanced to the quarterfinals. Whether it was the course, the format, or just plain bad luck, the top Korean stars really struggled to advance at the event.

Unfortunately, this year's tournament turned out to be a repeat of the 2005 one, only this time, not even Meena was able to get to the quarters. The week started out badly when Shi Hyun Ahn was forced to drop out due to a back problem. In the first round, Korean superstar Hee-Won Han found herself thoroughly beaten by a virtual unknown named Lindsey Wright (final score 5 & 4). Jeong Jang was in control of her match against equally obscure Marcy Hart when the American reeled off three straight birdies to upset the recent winner of the Wegman's LPGA. 2006 tournament winners Joo Mi Kim and Sung Ah Yim also lost in the first round.

However, 8 Korean and Korean American golfers did advance, including Se Ri Pak, who easily disposed of Angela Stanford 5 & 4, and Mi Hyun Kim, who defeated Nicole Castrale 4 & 2. Kyeong Bae shocked the Japanese media by defeating Ai Miyazato on the final hole 2 up, perhaps the only real upset that went the Korean way on day one. Also advancing were Meena Lee, Seon Hwa Lee, Michelle Wie, Gloria Park and Christina Kim.

However, there was more carnage on day 2. Se Ri found herself in a real battle with her good friend Lorie Kane. Normally this would not be surprising, since Kane is quite a good golfer, but Lorie had struggled quite a bit in 2006 and had required a sponsor's exemption to even make it into the field. On the 18th hole they were still all square, but that was only because Se Ri had made a run to come from two holes behind. Neither lady hit the green on 18, but Se Ri was able to get it up and down and Kane wasn't. Thus, Pak took the match 1 up and survived to fight another day.

Her opponent in the next round would be Michelle Wie, who dispatched of Christina Kim in a tightly fought match 3 & 2. Meena Lee, meanwhile, played well but could not defeat Morgan Pressel; thus, the Korean who had finished runner up in 2005 did not even make it out of the second round (her opponent in that match, Marisa Baena, also went out in the second round, losing to American Paula Creamer). Seon Hwa Lee fought hard all day, but she, too, lost to a young American, rookie Brittany Lang. Like JJ the day before, Lee succumbed when her opponent made several great shots at the end of the round to win the final three holes. Gloria Park was thoroughly destroyed by Karrie Webb as well.

Fortunately, a few of the Korean ladies had more success on Friday. Mi Hyun Kim, paired against Laura Davies, was virtually unstoppable. Despite giving away a huge amount of distance to the big hitting Davies, Kimmie won 5 of the first 6 holes and destroyed Davies 5 & 4. Her opponent in the next round would be the winner of the Lorena Ochoa/Karine Icher match. Icher was doing surprisingly well against the Mexican star, at one point leading 4 up. Kimmie would have much rather faced Icher than Ochoa, but Lorena battled back, catching Icher and then beating her on the 18th hole. Another bad break for the Korean contingent.

The only other Korean to make it through to the third round was Kyeong Bae, who won another tightly contested battle, this time against Suzann Pettersen. Pettersen had eliminated Young Kim in a great match up in the first round, and it looked like she might do the same to Bae. But Bae hung in there and grabbed a 2 up lead with two holes to go. Pettersen then won the 17th hole, and it looked like she might be able to tie up the match. But Bae made a clutch birdie on the final hole to put away the pesky Pettersen and claim the 1 up win.

Bae's reward was to face the long hitting American Brittany Lincicome in the third round. Bae struggled right from the get go, and Lincicome grabbed wins on three of the first four holes to go 3 up. Bae then won the next two holes to cut the lead to 1 up. But that was as close as she got. Lincicome eventually carved out a 4 up lead, and wound up winning 3 & 2.

Se Ri Pak, meanwhile, got to face Michelle Wie in the third round. This had all the makings of a classic, but Se Ri was still not playing at her full A game level, and it showed. They traded wins on the first two holes. Wie won hole 4 when Se Ri bogied, then Se Ri captured hole 6 with a birdie. Wie went one up on 8 with a birdie, but gave it back with a bogey on 10. The match continued to be close all day, but Wie entered the 17th with a one hole lead, then birdied there to put Se Ri away 2 & 1. It was an unfortunate set back for the Korean superstar, but Se Ri still played decently this week, and ought to feel like her comeback is continuing on schedule.

That left only Mi Hyun Kim among the native Koreans in the field,. And she had to beat Lorena Ochoa to advance. This one was close on the front nine; they were square by the end of those holes. But on the back nine, it was all Ochoa, and three wins on those holes gave her the 3 & 2 victory over the tiny Korean star.

The only Korean or Korean American to make it into the quarterfinals was the non-tour teenager Michelle Wie, but even her run didn't last long, as she got trounced by the eventual winner, second year American Brittany Lang, in the fourth round. So all in all, it was a disappointing week for the Sisters.

Who knows why these Korean stars, who tend to do so well at stroke play (this year there have been few tournaments where a Korean did not have a shot at winning) have struggled in match play. Perhaps they just don't get the chance to play it as often as the Americans and Europeans. Perhaps the course, which was wet and had wide fairways, benefited the longer hitters too much, and most of the Koreans are short to mid length drivers. Hopefully if it is the former, the Sisters will have gained valuable experience this week, so that the next time they can do better. And if it is the latter, help may be on the way, since this event will not take place on this course in 2007. With any luck, next year's Match Play event will showcase a far more impressive showing from the ladies from South Korea.