The just-completed 76th edition of the Women’s U.S. Open was a thriller, a nail-biter and living proof that once again the old “Olympic Club Jinx” took down yet another high-profile player who looked set to win a major championship.
Watching Lexi Thompson over the final three holes late Sunday afternoon was akin to watching someone’s favorite pet dog run into the middle of a busy highway.
The outcome was gruesome.
Lexi took a five-shot lead to the back nine and as Brandel Chamblee from The Golf Channel starkly put it: “She needed a nine-shot lead.”
Tough to watch things come unraveled for Lexi when there were three holes made for her — back-to-back par fives (16 and 17) and a 325-yard par four (18th). It boiled down to Lexi unable to hit two driving range wedge shots into the final two holes. And somewhere along the line in her development as a player, someone forgot to tell her about the old “thin-to-win” adage, meaning if you’re going to miss a wedge shot, make sure it’s a little thin rather than a little fat.
Those closest to Lexi need to place a call to short game guru Dave Pelz and send young Lexi for a three-week stay with Mr. Pelz so she can learn what it means to have “short game skills.”
Speaking of short game skills, a new star appeared on the San Francisco horizon — New Jersey teenager Megha Ganne, who looked like a “Megha-Star” in the making. Sure, the 17-year-old fell apart early, but after a bogey at 16, she birdied 17 then parred 18, holing a clutch seven-foot par putt to win low-amateur honors at three-over par — a shot better than Sweden’s Maja Stark. “No disappointment at all,” Ganne said of the fact she didn’t win the tournament. “Had a ton of fun. It was a bit of a confidence builder,” as she went home and returned to school to finish her junior year. And get this — she has NO social media accounts!
Will Yuka Saso Join The LPGA Tour?
What’s next for U.S. Open champion Yuka Saso from the Philippines? Perhaps its time for her to bid adios to the Japan LPGA Tour and get in there with the world’s best on a weekly basis and head for the LPGA Tour. With the $1,000,000 first place money in her account, there’s nothing to prove over in Japan. Let’s see what she can do as a regular competitor on the LPGA Tour.
The Olympic Jinx Takes Down Lexi:
Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and the late Payne Stewart were all in prime position to win a U.S. Open at the Olympic Club, as was Lexi last Sunday.
Alas, they talk about the “Olympic Jinx” and it sure looked like it got hold of Lexi over the final three holes.
LPGA Tour Stays In Town For Mediheal:
It’s an easy trip to the ladies to the next stop on the LPGA schedule. They head over to another San Francisco golf landmark — the Lake Merced Golf Club, just across the lake from the Olympic Club.
Now On To Torrey Pines!
The final qualifying for next week’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines wrapped up this week and the biggest name who failed to qualify was Rickie Fowler. Phil Mickelson took to social media with a proposal to get Rickie into the event.
Mickelson took to his Twitter account and offered this tidbit:
“I hereby designate my (no longer necessary) exemption to Rickie.”
Mickelson was given a special exemption by the USGA but with his victory at the PGA, he’s exempt into the U.S. Open for the next five years. Unfortunately, he can’t “designate” his exemption to Fowler. Rickie shot five-under for 36-holes at the Columbus, Ohio, qualifier and missed a playoff by one shot.
Click here to check out who qualified from the different locations across the U.S.
Bryson Has “No Issues” With Brooks Koepka:
Bryson DeChambeau was in Detroit early this week to promote the Rocket Mortgage event he won last year.
Of course the issue of his pseudo-feud with Brooks Koepka came up.
“I think a good jesting rivalry is good for the game of golf, nothing too extreme,” DeChambeau said. “I’ve personally got no issue. “It’s something that he’s up for discussion. If you want to talk to (Koepka) about that, you can. But I’ve got no issues.”
6 Comments
baxter cepeda
That second shot at Olympics 18th is no driving range wedge shot; it’s a nasty side slope to an elevated tiny green, cavernous bunker ready to gulp thin ones as much as fat ones; the tilted line; and all while staring at setting sun.
But yes Lexi can still improve the shorter shots.
Ganne loosely Translates to win in Spanish. What’s the over under to when the Jersey girl gets her first lpga W? I’m saying 19.
Saso in 19 and she’s a major champ. Of course she should become an lpga full time member.
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Rickie needs to get er done already. Enough relying on special treatment already as he has ample opportunities. We saw this week the New techniques are coming along but it’s the same old rickie throwing shots away pressing too much. Golfs most charisma golfer still needs improve his course management imo.
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As for the testosterone boys feud: yawn.
That being said as Breed preached it’s not cool to instigate the trolls and rowdy golf golf fans; which is what brooks is doing by offering alcohol to folks who get in trouble trying to shake Bryson.
Bryson seems like the bigger man here; so he needs to chill out even more than he already has. Sure golf needs rivalry but not this bush league, mean girls, cyber bullying nonsense. These two are too darn good for this silly side show. The problem is —as with siblings roughhousing— you can see it getting worst and worst until someone takes it too far; and not just them but all the trolls they are instigating with this nonsense. They both only have themselves to blame when these spats come back to distract them during competition.
Tom Edrington
OK Baxter, I’m going to keep this VERY SIMPLE — who besides Lexi in among the contenders, hit it in that front bunker at 18??? Answer: NO ONE!!! It’s not that tough a shot, so says my good friend who played there….He’s a good player, many years ago represented a VERY prominent LPGA Player who today is part of the CBS crew (how’s that for a hint?)…..I often defer to him on many things related to women’s golf.
baxter cepeda
When you put it that way…maybe if Dottie said it’s not a tough shot I can buy that.
I saw plenty ladies bang it off that pine at 18 and leave themselves in way worst spots than Lexi. The tree was a talking point all week. It’s a quirky hole where you can be in the fairway but have no shot.
I may ask that member who’s a friend of my spouses uncle someday about it; and get back to you on that one.
Lexis shot into 18 was bad, no doubt. Her gouge technique had something to do with it-She also was trying to get cute there.
My point is Every contender made their own mistakes elsewhere. Again look how Saso started the day and by her admition Saso was seriously checking out; but lucky for her her caddie resuscitated her.
Championship golf creates these nightmare finishes. I always go back to at least Lexi and the other contenders were there at the end; most cannot say that.
Tom Edrington
When you refer back to Saso, I think it once again reinforces what they say: “It’s not how you start — it’s how you finish.”
baxter cepeda
No argument there.
But as I always say it’s still better to finish second crash and burning in front of everyone than trunk slamming on Friday with no one watching or caring.
Tom Edrington
And the pay is better as well…..