Thank goodness for Brittany Lang.
And Lexi Thompson too.
Together, they have ALL the American victories in women’s golf this year.
Yes, that’s right, TWO WHOPPING VICTORIES and thanks Brittany for coming through in style to win the U.S. Open last July, that saved America from getting skunked in the majors.
Thompson won last February at the LPGA Honda in Thailand.
So, that makes just one win on American soil.
Yes, women’s American golf has fallen to a state of pathetic never before seen in the chronicles of the game.
One year, two wins.
Other than that, zip, nada, nil.
For goodness sakes, Jordan Spieth tied ’em and he had a lousy season.
That’s how bad it’s gotten folks.
The question is — does anyone care? When you look at the Rolex World Golf Rankings, you find that Thompson is the only American in the top 10 and her putter has been getting so shaky that she’s wishing when she stands over a five-footer.
Thompson checks in at No. 4 and may be hard-pressed to stay there.
Stacy Lewis got married and has promptly tumbled out of the top 10. She was there for a long time, now she’s fallen to 11th with no wins in sight.
Gerina Piller is ranked 16 but goodness knows when she will ever get a win. Great gal, personable, half of the U.S. golfing couple along with husband Martin on the PGA Tour. Gerina knows how to get in contention but hasn’t discovered how to show up strong in the fourth round.
Brittany Lang, thank goodness for Brittany Lang — she is No. 21 and now the reigning U.S. Open champion. She kept this season from being a total embarrassment for the U.S. women.
There are just a few events left in the LPGA season with their grand finale at the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Nov. 17-20. Cristie Kerr won there last year but hasn’t won since. Next week the ladies head to Kuala Lumpur where Jessica Korda won last year. She hasn’t been heard from this season.
This is all hard to swallow given the focus on junior golf with the First Tee, which really hasn’t produced any players on the women’s tour.
Maybe it’s all due to the fact that golf is fading from the limelight in the U.S. Time and expense are the stumbling blocks, that and the fact that they have gone totally bonkers for golf in South Korea, China and Japan.
Yes, Asia is the machine that is driving the train in women’s golf these days. Simple fact of life.
There was a glimmer of hope when Allison Lee nearly won last week at the Hana Bank ins South Korea where she lost in a playoff to Carlota Cigunda of Spain.
Lee, the former UCLA golfer, may be the best rising talent in America.
For now, there’s no Lydia Ko or Ariya Jutanugarn in the American golf system.
Sorry, but that’s where we are.
Two total wins for American golfers.
Ko and Jutanugarn have combined for eight wins this season.
Maybe dual citizenship is America’s best hope.
