Third major of the LPGA season is upon us.
The setting is great — it’s historic Hazeltine, a beautiful layout on the banks of Lake Hazeltine up in Chaska, Minnesoooo-tah.
Great course, it’s hosted every premier event that the USGA and PGA of America stages. The 1966 and 1977 US Women’s Open was played there, the 1970 and 1991 men’s U.S. Open was played there, the 2002 and 2009 PGA Championship was there along with the 2016 Ryde Cup.
Which brings us to this week’s Women’s PGA Championship — the third major for the ladies.
South Korean players have taken the first two. World’s No. 1 Jin Young Ko took the ANA and Jeongun Lee the Sixth is your U.S. Open champion.
So the question for this week is: Can two of the hottest players on the LPGA Tour put an end to the Korean major run?
That will be up to world’s No. 2 Lexi Thompson and No. 5 — the pride of Canada — Brooke Henderson.
Both are on hot streaks.
Brooke won last week at the Meijer up in Michigan, she tied for 11th at the ShopRite, was tied for 39th at the U.S. Open and tied for second in Williamsburg.
Lexi has found new confidence with her putter thanks to the claw grip that her brother suggested she use. after a missed cut at Williamsburg, Lexi’s been on a tear with a tie for second at the U.S. Open, a victory at the ShopRite and a tie for second last week behind Brooke at the Meijer. At the Meijer, Lexi’s rounds included a course-record 62 on Saturday and only a slow start on Sunday kept her out of the winner’s circle.
So with that in mind, can either of those two show up big this week?
There are now three other Americans beside Lexi in the world’s Top 20. The Korda sisters need to step up this week. Nelly is ranked 12th, Jessica 14th. They’ve been quiet the past month — time for them to make some noise. Same for Danielle Kang, who has now risen to 17th.
Won’t be easy to beat the overall Asian contingent. With five South Koreans in the top 10 along with Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand and Nasa Hataoka from Japan the top 10 is 70 percent Asian.
Tough task, great venue for this third women’s major.
Should be an interesting week. Adding to that interest is the probable return of often-injured Michelle Wie.
Wie has been out out of action now for two months healing from multiple ailments in her right hand.
“She’s planning to play,” said David Leadbetter, her swing coach. “She’s starting to feel quite a bit better, but she fatigues quickly. She tells me she’s being pretty sensible in how she’s approaching things. She really needs to pace herself.”
Wie had surgery last October to repair an avulsion fracture, bone spurs and nerve entrapment in her right hand.
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