2018 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Jun 22-24

[Argonne69]

• Race to the CME Globe: 500 Points
  
• Format: 54 holes
  
• Purse: $2,000,000
  
• Location: Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, AR
  
• Par: 71
  
• Yardage: 6331
  
• History: This is the 12th year for the event. In 2017, the world’s third ranked player captured her fifth career win on the LPGA Tour at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. With her victory, So Yeon Ryu ascended to No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings for the first time in her career.
  

Coverage:

• Jun 22: Golf Channel 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (EDT)
  
• Jun 23: Golf Channel 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm (EDT)
  
• Jun 24: Golf Channel 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm (EDT)
  

[Argonne69]

Well, at least we have the season's 3rd major next week. This is another 54 hole tournament with limited 2 hour coverage each day. Friday's and Saturday's forecast look very pleasant with temps in the low 80's, but there is a chance for storms on Sunday afternoon, so expect tee times to be moved up.

 

So Yeon played great this past week, but winning back to back is tough, and repeating as winner of a tournament is probably tougher, so while I expect her to finish inthe top 10, I'm going to go with Lydia for the win this week. She won the event in 2016. Minjee, Michelle, and Moriya all do well here, and should also contend. My dark horse picks are Marina and Megan. Both had top 10 finishes last season.

[fredogolfer]

Am I correct when I say Wal-Mart is the biggest LPGA sponsor as far as name recognition, size of company etc? Good they just signed a 2 year extension for this event. The event is about 3 hours away from where I live buuut they are doing all kinds of work on my house. Part of me wants to get away for the day and another part of me feels I need to stay to see the repairs through.

[Argonne69]

Am I correct when I say Wal-Mart is the biggest LPGA sponsor as far as name recognition, size of company etc? Good they just signed a 2 year extension for this event. The event is about 3 hours away from where I live buuut they are doing all kinds of work on my house. Part of me wants to get away for the day and another part of me feels I need to stay to see the repairs through.

 

I assume they're the biggest, and they certainly have the name recognition. Honda, Kia, CME, Kia, HSBC, Buick (GM), and KPMG are fairly large, and/or well known. I didn't know that Walmart is the largest private employer in the U.S. with 2.3 million employees.

 

Will the repairs still be there next week?

[Trugravity]

A few years back, when traveling on business, I checked Pinnacle CC out. It is a very aesthetically pleasing layout and the girls seem to love this event. Lots of Walmart money surrounding the layout in the form magnificent homes. Always enjoy watching but wish the coverage was more extensive. Nelly Korda and Aza have been trending well. I’ll predict a Nelly “top 5” showing.

[fredogolfer]

I was watching Gaby Lopez' press conference earlier, there were a few questions in Spanish. Perhaps the LPGA should start doing what they did for Lorena and Ai Miyazato and start offering or at least preparing to host separate pressers for those media outlets. Truly being a global tour would mean the LPGA doesn't get caught "off-guard" like this. Good to see there is a lot of interest in Gaby.

[Rory4Pres]

The buffalo Wild Wings in Rogers (or Bentonville technically) is nice. I'd put it on par with other buffalo Wild Wings around the country.

 

They also have drive through liquor stores.

 

Now you know everything about Rogers, AR.

[Argonne69]

The buffalo Wild Wings in Rogers (or Bentonville technically) is nice. I'd put it on par with other buffalo Wild Wings around the country.

 

They also have drive through liquor stores.

 

Now you know everything about Rogers, AR.

 

C'mon, Rogers is home to the Daisy Airgun Museum. How awesome is that? You'll shoot your eye out!

 

Also, don't forget the Walmart Museum in Bentonville, 5 miles away.

[Rory4Pres]

The buffalo Wild Wings in Rogers (or Bentonville technically) is nice. I'd put it on par with other buffalo Wild Wings around the country.

 

They also have drive through liquor stores.

 

Now you know everything about Rogers, AR.

 

C'mon, Rogers is home to the Daisy Airgun Museum. How awesome is that? You'll shoot your eye out!

 

Also, don't forget the Walmart Museum in Bentonville, 5 miles away.

 

HAHA, you win!

[Argonne69]

Jessica, Lexi, and So Yeon grouped together at 1:47 pm tomorrow. 'Should be a fun group to watch.

[KBong]

Jessica, Lexi, and So Yeon grouped together at 1:47 pm tomorrow. 'Should be a fun group to watch.

I'm thinking there will be a lot of laugh, giggles and hugging in the Lydia, Wie and Bam Bam group....they all really like each other.

Michelle and Brittany will be eating a lot of Lydia's fruit....so Tina better wake up 30 minutes earlier to cut up more fruit.

 

But Tina better start packing a bucket of KFC into Lydia's golf bag ASAP before she disappears from starvation.....I can't imagine what she looks like in real life...pictures and TV puts on 10-15 lbs.

[KBong]

There will be a lot of Pig Sooey cheers for Gaby and Stacy at one of the par 3 holes.....I wonder if both will be handing out any pig/Razorback hats.

[Mellow]

Hmm. On this one I'm just hoping for some players that could use the stats boost to have good, successful outings. And for it not to be super hot, so no one gets wiped out and set up bad next week. Isn't this one of the ones where they walk around with icebags on their heads?

 

Sure would be neat for So Yeon to carry that much momentum though into here. About that grouping, any ideas how she and Lexi are getting along, ok I hope?

 

I'm all in for more snacks for Lydia! That pic did kind of jolt me too. Hope she has another great outing here.

[KBong]

1) Isn't this one of the ones where they walk around with icebags on their heads?

 

2) Sure would be neat for So Yeon to carry that much momentum though into here. About that grouping, any ideas how she and Lexi are getting along, ok I hope?

1) The forecast doesn't look that hot this week...but yes...some past years it's been an oven.

 

2) That pairing completely went over my head...thanks for catching it.

I think the only one that Lexi is mad about...is the Korean guy who purposefully waited a day to send in that email to the LPGA office. :taunt:

 

I was at the 2016 KMPG when In Gee and Ha Na Jang were paired together after #LUGGAGEGATE.

 

You know I had to be there on the 10th tee on Thursday for the drama with a big bag of popcorn. In Gee waited 15 yards away from the tee block until it was necessary to enter.....it was a very 'ICY" exchange of hand shakes.....both sets of parents were there following their daughters...Ha Na dad's was pretty nice guy...but I did keep an eye out for any flying objects.

 

The below song kept on entering my mind as I was walking down the 10th fairway.

 

[wmblake2000]

 

C'mon, Rogers is home to the Daisy Airgun Museum. How awesome is that? You'll shoot your eye out!

 

 

That right there is some fine knowledge. Daisy is hdq in Rogers Ar. And for the record, I never shot my eye or anyone's eyes out. Although we tried, Lord knows we tried.

[Argonne69]

Not unexpectedly, the scoring looks good this morning. Aditi has the lead at -5, with 7 players at -4. Only 19 players are over par.

 

Alison at -2. Whoa. Could weekend play be in her future?

[Seamus_McDuff]

I’m assuming today’s coverage will be tape-delayed.

[Argonne69]

I’m assuming today’s coverage will be tape-delayed.

 

I think that's a safe assumption. Unless there's a weather delay, the majority of of players should be off the course when the coverage starts.

 

Tomorrow's coverage will likely be live by the picking up the final groups on their back nine.

 

[KBong]

Not unexpectedly, the scoring looks good this morning. Aditi has the lead at -5, with 7 players at -4. Only 19 players are over par.

 

Alison at -2. Whoa. Could weekend play be in her future?

You know the LPGA has setup another pitch & putt with a few windmills and clown mouths scattered around when Alison Lee is -4 and Gulbis -2.

[KBong]

I'm assuming today's coverage will be tape-delayed.

 

I think that's a safe assumption.

Yes, GC needs to be able to edit out if Lexi and SYR should start to brawl and if the ANA trophy ends up over someone's head.

[Stooch]

I've spent the afternoon getting my affairs in order, I'm pretty sure we've witnessed a sign of the imminent apocalypse with Allison Lee shooting a -4 opening round :taunt:

[North Texas]

I've spent the afternoon getting my affairs in order, I'm pretty sure we've witnessed a sign of the imminent apocalypse with Allison Lee shooting a -4 opening round :taunt:

 

Her 24th round of the year.

Her lowest round of the year.

Her 4 best rounds of the year are E, -1, -3, and now -4.

Only her 7th round under 75.

[Argonne69]

I guess hanging around on the range last Saturday after missing the cut paid off for Alison.

[Argonne69]

Yeah, it's a pitch and putt. We're looking at the possibility of a -20 or better winning score in a 54 hole event. C'mon.

[PZero]

What is the beef between Lexi and So Yeon?

[Stooch]

Yeah, it's a pitch and putt. We're looking at the possibility of a -20 or better winning score in a 54 hole event. C'mon.

Being a fan of the LPGA for many years now, I think they go for the easy set up week in and week out most times and in my honest opinion it's cause maybe 50 of the players can handle it and about 100 would get their lunches handed to them. Look at when there's wind at an event 2/3 of the field get there lunches handed to them. IMO the depth of competition has never been better on the LPGA but having to hard of a set up to often would still embarrass to many players.

[Stooch]

What is the beef between Lexi and So Yeon?

 

I can't see there being one IMO, So Yeon did nothing wrong. I guess Lexi could have a gripe that So Yeon should have let her win in the playoff cause she feels she deserved it I guess lol

[Mellow]

Correct, there absolutely should not be one.

[Argonne69]

What is the beef between Lexi and So Yeon?

 

I can't see there being one IMO, So Yeon did nothing wrong. I guess Lexi could have a gripe that So Yeon should have let her win in the playoff cause she feels she deserved it I guess lol

 

No beef that I can see. Their embrace after the round looked genuine.

[Argonne69]

Yeah, it's a pitch and putt. We're looking at the possibility of a -20 or better winning score in a 54 hole event. C'mon.

Being a fan of the LPGA for many years now, I think they go for the easy set up week in and week out most times and in my honest opinion it's cause maybe 50 of the players can handle it and about 100 would get their lunches handed to them. Look at when there's wind at an event 2/3 of the field get there lunches handed to them. IMO the depth of competition has never been better on the LPGA but having to hard of a set up to often would still embarrass to many players.

 

I don't think it has to be a hard setup, but a little teeth wouldn't hurt. Twenty-nine players shot 66 or better. Yikes.

 

Frankly, I think the par 5's have too little risk. They were hitting irons into the greens on one of them, and there appeared to be little danger. Moriya birdied all four today.