2019 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Jun 28 - 30

**Race to the CME Globe:** 500 Points

**Format:** 54 holes

**Purse:** $2,000,000

**Location:** Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, AR

**Par:** 71

**Yardage:** 6,331

**History:** This is the 13th year for the event. In 2018, Nasa Hataoka entered the final round of the tournament in a share of the lead. She made four birdies in a near flawless front nine to build a five stroke lead and cruised to her first career win with a 8-under, 63 on Sunday and a three-day score of 21-under.

**Coverage:**

Jun 28: The Golf Channel 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm (ET)

Jun 29: The Golf Channel 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm (ET)

Jun 30: The Golf Channel 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm (ET)


A bit of a letdown after the major. Only three rounds, and limited coverage. Thunderstorms are a possibility on Saturday afternoon, but Friday and Sunday should be fine.

It looks like a very strong field for the week after a major, with Lexi, 6ix, and Nelly sitting out.

I think Nasa is capable of a repeat. Lydia might also contend. A number of top players have been a little quiet recently after a strong early part of the season, e.g. Minjee. Will they get back on track?

This is the start of of a stretch of four mid-tournaments (purse wise) before a string of two majors; all top 10 players will pick and choose.

Lucky 6 was running on fumes; she deserves a break.

Muni He comes in aspired; she shot -4 to win Monday Qualifier fresh of her two consecutive cuts made.

Kristen Gillman slowed unexpectedly in Minnesota; she's a rookie after all.

I expect In Gee to contend as things are lined up for her. She played well at KPMG saved for a few errant shots. She's been getting longer and her swing more repetitively for a while.

> @18majors said:

> This is the start of of a stretch of four mid-tournaments (purse wise) before a string of two majors; all top 10 players will pick and choose.

> Lucky 6 was running on fumes; she deserves a break.

> Muni He comes in aspired; she shot -4 to win Monday Qualifier fresh of her two consecutive cuts made.

> Kristen Gillman slowed unexpectedly in Minnesota; she's a rookie after all.

> I expect In Gee to contend as things are lined up for her. She played well at KPMG saved for a few errant shots. She's been getting longer and her swing more repetitively for a while.

>

>

>

Anyone know how In Gee's putting has been lately? Sounds like her swing is getting back into it, but those putts need to drop too! Scrambling stats too I guess.

> @WestTex said:

> > @18majors said:

> > This is the start of of a stretch of four mid-tournaments (purse wise) before a string of two majors; all top 10 players will pick and choose.

> > Lucky 6 was running on fumes; she deserves a break.

> > Muni He comes in aspired; she shot -4 to win Monday Qualifier fresh of her two consecutive cuts made.

> > Kristen Gillman slowed unexpectedly in Minnesota; she's a rookie after all.

> > I expect In Gee to contend as things are lined up for her. She played well at KPMG saved for a few errant shots. She's been getting longer and her swing more repetitively for a while.

> >

> >

> >

> Anyone know how In Gee's putting has been lately? Sounds like her swing is getting back into it, but those putts need to drop too! Scrambling stats too I guess.

In Gee's total putts have been good, it means she's been scrambling well. Her bogeys are usually from sand traps and her doubles from penalties.

She's been sub-par on putts per GIR; most likely from sub-par approach shots.

> @18majors said:

> > @WestTex said:

> > > @18majors said:

> > > This is the start of of a stretch of four mid-tournaments (purse wise) before a string of two majors; all top 10 players will pick and choose.

> > > Lucky 6 was running on fumes; she deserves a break.

> > > Muni He comes in aspired; she shot -4 to win Monday Qualifier fresh of her two consecutive cuts made.

> > > Kristen Gillman slowed unexpectedly in Minnesota; she's a rookie after all.

> > > I expect In Gee to contend as things are lined up for her. She played well at KPMG saved for a few errant shots. She's been getting longer and her swing more repetitively for a while.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > Anyone know how In Gee's putting has been lately? Sounds like her swing is getting back into it, but those putts need to drop too! Scrambling stats too I guess.

>

> In Gee's total putts have been good, it means she's been scrambling well. Her bogeys are usually from sand traps and her doubles from penalties.

> She's been sub-par on putts per GIR; most likely from sub-par approach shots.

Many thanks!

So Yeon for the W. I'll really be rooting for D.K and Jin Young but I'm not feeling 100% on either of them. Moriya for my sleeper.

My pick is Danielle Kang. I think she is going to have to beat Nasa though. It's going to be a sprint like last year, I have a feeling. Over/under on Natalie Gulbis making the cut? Nyet. Over/under on the annoying 'woo pig suey'? it will be overdone in first hour of coverage. Hopefully the regular TV crew will be back.

Speaking of regular crew, it was surprising that Judy skipped the KPMG. It's rather apparent that her days in the booth are dwindling.

Judy will be in the booth for this one.

I have to get my head in the right frame of mind for the 'woo pig suey' chant because it most certainly will be overdone. Top 10 finishes for Lewis, Lopez, Fassi and Dylan Kim will make up for it.

I'm picking Yu Liu to win.

Looking at the field the name that jumped out at me is So Yeon Ryu for the win, but with no real TV time and being a 3 day event, they've given me no reason to care, so I won't lol.

> @Argonne69 said:

> Speaking of regular crew, it was surprising that Judy skipped the KPMG. It's rather apparent that her days in the booth are dwindling.

>

It's clear she can't keep up the pace she was on. She's getting on in years and needs more time in between tournaments and probably less stressful events. Maybe even closer to her home in Texas.

My only prediction is a Top 20 for Kaylee Benton.

Kinda suprised that Walmart lets this be a lol54 hole event. I'm going to pick Maria Fassi because why not.

> @Stooch said:

> Looking at the field the name that jumped out at me is So Yeon Ryu for the win, but with no real TV time and being a 3 day event, they've given me no reason to care, so I won't lol.

Stick with her Stooch, we got this one!

> @postfold said:

> Kinda suprised that Walmart lets this be a lol54 hole event. I'm going to pick Maria Fassi because why not.

I'm assuming it's a 2 day Pro Am like the ShopRite.

It would be great to see Dryburgh, Meechai & Dye make a run. I'm worried a Fassi victory might make golf's foremost expert stroke out.

> @fanofseri said:

> It would be great to see Dryburgh, Meechai & Dye make a run. I'm worried a Fassi victory might make golf's foremost expert stroke out.

Meechai could get her fourth top 10. But since Meechai is a honorary Jutanugarn sister I am going with a real Jutanugarn for the win. Moriya loves birdies and this course should suit her. IF Nasa doesn't show up and blow everyone out.

I imagine the players will appreciate this course after the challenge of Hazeltine. How much do you all remember about last season?


The quickest way for Kristen Gillman to qualify for Solheim Cup is through Rolex Ranking.

Basically, the top two (2) players on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings at the end of the Qualifying Period who are not already qualified.

Kristen is No. 20 American on Rolex Ranking; she could easily jump to top 10 with a top 2 showing in the next several events.

To be compared to Tiger Woods; Maria Fassi is unprecedented!

@MariaFassi0 talks about coming "home", her reaction to being compared to @TigerWoods, and @Stacy_Lewis' recent comments as well as what it would be like to have her first win @NWAChampionship.

[https://twitter.com/LPGA/status/1144328676202418176](https://twitter.com/LPGA/status/1144328676202418176 "https://twitter.com/LPGA/status/1144328676202418176")

Maria is definitely an asset to the tour, but the media is getting way ahead of itself. Three starts and a high finish of 12T is just a little less than Tiger.

Lydia Ko has been reading the thread about her being done at the ripe old age of 22. She comes out guns a blazing, torches the field for the win, take the entire first place check of $300,000 to the closest Walmart and drops it all on this:

> @DavePelz4 said:

> Lydia Ko has been reading the thread about her being done at the ripe old age of 22. She comes out guns a blazing, torches the field for the win, take the entire first place check of $300,000 to the closest Walmart and drops it all on this:

>

>

>

But is it USDA Organic?

> @Argonne69 said:

> but the media is getting way ahead of itself.

Isn't that what the media does though? They set the expectations for these players so high by talking them up, and when they fail to meet those expectations they become underachievers and are labeled as disappointments. It's also added pressure for the players having to deal with that stuff, I find it kinda sad really.

yeah the media loves a good hype train just to see it de-rail. I remember when Hyo Joo Kim was the next sure fire hall of famer.

> @Argonne69 said:

> Maria is definitely an asset to the tour, but the media is getting way ahead of itself. Three starts and a high finish of 12T is just a little less than Tiger.

Hopefully Maria is grounded enough with solid family/people in her camp to not let these christene brennen wannabes(pieces of excrement) media types get her off track.

> @Enduro59 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Maria is definitely an asset to the tour, but the media is getting way ahead of itself. Three starts and a high finish of 12T is just a little less than Tiger.

>

> Hopefully Maria is grounded enough with solid family/people in her camp to not let these christene brennen wannabes(pieces of excrement) media types get her off track.

I dunno, her brother is already calling her the GOAT.

From what I've seen Maria is gonna have to improve her short game, if she wants to be a proven winner on the tour.

> @Stooch said:

> From what I've seen Maria is gonna have to improve her short game, if she wants to be a proven winner on the tour.

Yes. A thousand time yes. She'll get better, but if she can't save par, she's going to have a rough ride.