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Few players in the morning groups were under par today at the Kraft Nabisco, a day after strong winds sent scores soaring. No one did worse than Michelle Wie, who shot her second straight 81. If leaders Christina Kim and Kristy McPherson can't go low, it will bring a lot more players into the tournament. Check back later for a complete wrap-up and photos from today's action.
Kristy McPherson, Christina Kim, Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr have put themselves in contention heading into the weekend at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Lorena Ochoa is making a move today, while Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis have some work to do. Check back later for a complete wrap-up, photos and a preview of Saturday's action from SI's Alan Shipnuck.
In progress: Round 2 scores | Recap | Round 2 Preview | Photos
Of course the woman to watch at the Dinah Shore is defending champ Lorena Ochoa. I followed her a bit last week in Phoenix – she controlled her ball beautifully but couldn’t score on the bumpy greens. Expect her to find her touch at Mission Hills, a course she has been going low at since she was an amateur. Ochoa is off this morning in a blockbuster pairing with Jiyai Shin, the relentless “rookie” who has already established herself as the second-best player on the LPGA. If Shin wins this week her stated goal of reaching No. 1 will get a huge boost.
As always, it’s impossible to ignore Michelle Wie, especially since she played in the final group on Sunday at the Dinah as an awkward 13 year old. She has the power to exploit the demanding par-5s here and lots of good memories to draw on. I’ll be interested to see if she can get herself back in contention. Based on her ragged play last week, I’m not sure her game is ready.
The Masters is still a week away, but the LPGA Tour's first major of the year kicks off today at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa is the defending champion against a field that includes Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer, both trying to win their first major. Check back later for a complete wrap-up and photos from today's action.
In progress: Round 1 Scores | Preview | Michelle Wie Homepage
Recap | Scores | Photos: Round 1 | Photos: Papago Golf Course
6:38 p.m. Wie may want to hold off packing her bags. The cutline has moved to 5-over par, so Wie is in on the number. However there are still plenty of golfers on the course.
2:44 p.m. Wie finishes with a par for a 4-over 76. She is at 5-over par, two shots off the projected cutline. Wie is likely heading home.
2:32 p.m. With a par on 7 and a bogey on 8, Wie is now at 5-over par, two shots off the cutline.
2:01 p.m. Wie couldn't take advantage of the par-5 fifth hole. She made a par and has three holes left.
1:40 p.m. Wie makes a par on No. 5. No. 6 is a par 5, and Wie could really use a birdie if she wants to make the cut.
1:29 p.m. A bogey on No. 4 drops Wie below the project cutline again.
1:07 p.m. Wie makes a birdie on the par-4 third hole. She's now inside the projected cutline at 3-over par.
12:56 p.m. Wie makes par on the par-3 second hole.
12:54 p.m. Add Natalie Gulbis to the list of players who have withdrawn.
12:48 p.m. Looks like Alan Shipnuck was right: Suzann Pettersen is 2-under par after three holes and in the lead.
12:44 p.m. EST Phew! Wie makes a birdie on No. 1, a par 5, to move to 4-over par. She's now one shot below the projected cutline.
The first thing I’m going to watch for this morning is killer tumbleweed. The winds here during the first round were borderline apocalyptic, and the afternoon scores reflected that. If it blows that hard today — and it might — there’s no telling how high the cut may go, or even if the second round will be completed as scheduled.
I’m particularly interested to see how Lorena Ochoa and Michelle Wie bounce back. Both lost their swings and their composure during the brutal winds of Thursday afternoon, but they’re off early Friday with calmer conditions and smoother greens. I look for both of them to play well.
One woman who actually thrived in the challenging conditions of the first round was Suzann Pettersen. She’s one of the best athletes in golf and there’s no one I would rather watch swing the club. Tied for second, only one back, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s leading at day’s end.
The LPGA Tour is back in the U.S. this week for the J Golf Phoenix LPGA International at Papago Golf Course. Two-time defending champion Lorena Ochoa headlines a field that includes Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis and Angela Stanford. One notable absent is Paula Creamer, who withdrew from the tournament.
Continue reading "Blogging Round 1 of the J Golf Phoenix LPGA International " »
Halfway around the globe, far from the thin air of the Tucson foothills, another magnificent golfer is making her return.
She does not have the gaggle of photographers trailing her and kicking up mini-sandstorms amid desert rocks and Jumping Cholla. She has not been charged with saving her tour.
But Lorena Ochoa, the No. 1 player in women’s golf, knows that much is at stake in 2009 -- for herself, her competitors, and the LPGA. Is the sports marketplace finally ready to embrace women’s golf, which has lived in the shadow of the men’s game for so long?
“We are moving in the right direction,” said Ochoa, playing in Thailand this week before defending her title at the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore, starting March 5. “We are trying to work our way up there."
Ochoa, to be sure, has done her part. She is friendly, accessible and highly gifted. She hits towering tee shots that seem to run forever. She can completely overwhelm opponents, as she did last season at the HSBC when she won by 11 shots.
Along with Ochoa’s appeal, the LPGA could also be on the verge of increased visibility with Michelle Wie as a card-carrying member (her near miss at the SBS Open doubled the television ratings for Golf Channel), not to mention Paula Creamer, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng, Angela Park, Morgan Pressel, Karrie Webb and newcomers Vicky Hurst and Stacy Lewis.
Though Annika Sorenstam was the game’s most recognizable and dominant player for a decade, her retirement could lead to the emergence of new rivalries and fresh storylines.
“We are all going to miss Annika, but we are here and we need to focus on the Tour,” Ochoa said. “I want to say that Annika was a great part of the Tour, but we have new players and I have many motivations. It’s very tough to stay at the top, and I am sure this is going to be a great year."
Over at the PGA Tour, commissioner Tim Finchem has asked the membership to be more interactive with sponsors, fans and even the media in a tough economic climate.
The LPGA has long operated under that belief system.
The question is, has the talent and appeal of the LPGA finally caught up with the friendliness?
“I have a good image and try to help the tour,” Ochoa said. “The level of golf is so good right now. That is a good question for the commissioner [Carolyn Bivens]. They know that I will help in any way and be very supportive.”
Annika Sorenstam's retirement may come sooner than expected. The top 16 players advance to the weekend at the ADT Championship, and Sorenstam is near the cutline after a two-over 74. For Round 1 scores, click here.
More on Annika:
* Annika Sorenstam Homepage: Photos, instruction and articles on Annika
Didn't Lorena Ochoa get the memo? This was supposed to be Annika Sorenstam's week after she announced she will leave competitive golf at the end of year. Instead, Ochoa is stealing the spotlight at the Sybase Classic in Clifton, N.J., racing out to a two-shot lead over the field through 36 holes. (The tournament has been shortened to 54 holes after rain washed out Friday's play.) Sorenstam is five shots back of Ochoa going into Sunday's final round. One week after Sorenstam took a seven-shot victory at Kingsmill, Ochoa is returning serve. If she wins Sunday, it will be her third consecutive Sybase title. These two players could have spent the next decade trading tee shots and curling putts. Enjoy it while it lasts.
