2018 Blue Bay LPGA Nov 07-10

Argonne69 · Nov 5, 2018

Race to the CME Globe: 500 Points
Format: 72 holes
Purse: $2,100,000
Location: Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club, Hainan Island, China
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,675
History: This is the 5th year for the event. In 2017, Shanshan Feng captured her third win of the season on home soil at the Blue Bay LPGA. Feng carded a two-under par 70 to win by one-stroke at 9-under par.

Coverage:

Nov 7: Golf Channel 11:00 pm - 3:00 am (EST)
Nov 8: Golf Channel 11:00 pm - 3:00 am (EST)
Nov 9: Golf Channel 11:00 pm - 3:00 am (EST)
Nov 10: Golf Channel: 11:00 pm - 3:00 am (EST)

Argonne69 · Nov 5, 2018

With just enough time for a hotdog at the turn, the women head back to China for the 2nd to last tournament of the season. This tournament starts a day early to allow the players travel time to get to the CME in Naples, FL. The weather forecast looks fantastic with highs in the upper 80's and low 90's, and winds 9 - 18 mph.

We finally get some decent TV coverage with 4 hours each night starting at 11 pm EST.

The field looks a bit diluted, with So Yeon, Lydia, In Kyung, Inbee, Georgia, Lexi, Brooke, Jin Young, Jessica, In Gee, and Nasa sitting this one out.

I'm going to go with Minjee this week. Her final round at the Toto had to be a fluke. She won this event in 2016, and has been playing solid (minus one round). I think Megan and Sung Hyun are going to be in the mix.

Stooch · Nov 5, 2018

I'm kinda surprised that Ariya and Sung Hyun Park are playing this event, there really should be a week break between the last event of the Asian Swing and the Tour Championship IMO. But anyways I think Angel Yin will find a way to get her first tour victory

Argonne69 · Nov 5, 2018

The schedule of events at the CME Tour Championship shows Pro-Ams on Tuesday and Wednesday. That's a heck of a lot of golf for players coming back from the Asian swing, even with the extra travel day and the crossing of the international date line. I agree that the tour championship should be held a week later.

ChronicSlicer · Nov 5, 2018

Amy Yang is way over due for her 4th win on tour. Well, if she doesn`t have that final round blowout. Top 5 for Bronte,Yu Liu.

I feel like either Chella Choi, or Pornanong Phatlum will play well also.

Stooch · Nov 5, 2018

Argonne69 wrote:

With just enough time for a hotdog at the turn, the women head back to China for the 2nd to last tournament of the season. This tournament starts a day early to allow the players travel time to get to the CME in Naples, FL. The weather forecast looks fantastic with highs in the upper 80's and low 90's, and winds 9 - 18 mph.

We finally get some decent TV coverage with 4 hours each night starting at 11 pm EST.

The field looks a bit diluted, with So Yeon, Lydia, In Kyung, Inbee, Georgia, Lexi, Brooke, Jin Young, Jessica, In Gee, and Nasa sitting this one out.

I'm going to go with Minjee this week. Her final round at the Toto had to be a fluke. She won this event in 2016, and has been playing solid (minus one round). I think Megan and Sung Hyun are going to be in the mix.

I was just looking at the Final Field and Minjee isn't in, which would make some sense. She 2nd in the race to the CME and played every event on the Asian swing including the IC, maybe she decided to get a little rest before going for a million.

Seamus_McDuff · Nov 5, 2018

A couple Q-Series participants are in the field.

Stooch · Nov 5, 2018

Even more interesting looking at the field and the Race to the CME Globe, is it effectively is knocking Jin Young Ko out of the Top 5 and taking away her chance to win the whole thing if she wins the CME tournament. Jin Young Ko and Sung Hyun Park are tied for 5th with 2,388 points and if SHP get a single point she is 5th alone going into the CME and Jin Young Ko isn't listed in the field this week.

Argonne69 · Nov 5, 2018

Stooch wrote:

Argonne69 wrote:

With just enough time for a hotdog at the turn, the women head back to China for the 2nd to last tournament of the season. This tournament starts a day early to allow the players travel time to get to the CME in Naples, FL. The weather forecast looks fantastic with highs in the upper 80's and low 90's, and winds 9 - 18 mph.

We finally get some decent TV coverage with 4 hours each night starting at 11 pm EST.

The field looks a bit diluted, with So Yeon, Lydia, In Kyung, Inbee, Georgia, Lexi, Brooke, Jin Young, Jessica, In Gee, and Nasa sitting this one out.

I'm going to go with Minjee this week. Her final round at the Toto had to be a fluke. She won this event in 2016, and has been playing solid (minus one round). I think Megan and Sung Hyun are going to be in the mix.

I was just looking at the Final Field and Minjee isn't in, which would make some sense. She 2nd in the race to the CME and played every event on the Asian swing including the IC, maybe she decided to get a little rest before going for a million.

Lol. OK, I need new glasses. Mirim Lee is not Minjee Lee. Oy.

Argonne69 · Nov 5, 2018

Stooch wrote:

Even more interesting looking at the field and the Race to the CME Globe, is it effectively is knocking Jin Young Ko out of the Top 5 and taking away her chance to win the whole thing if she wins the CME tournament. Jin Young Ko and Sung Hyun Park are tied for 5th with 2,388 points and if SHP get a single point she is 5th alone going into the CME and Jin Young Ko isn't listed in the field this week.

It boils down to rest. Jin Young has played the last 4 weeks, chalking up 3 top 10's. 'Gotta recharge the batteries.

Mellow · Nov 5, 2018

Ah I don't want the season to be over already

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This kind of field has its appeal too. Bunch of players I like very much here, who haven't gotten to see a lot lately. It's exciting for the possibilities for a few really good rounds. So several players I'll be cheering for. Go Hee Young, go MJ!

Seems like the Q-Series players must be feeling exhilarated but exhausted. That was a lot of rounds to be coming off of. I'll be happy if they just make it through ok, and look forward to next season.

Ariya does seem like a dominating presence here. But I'm again going with Shanshan. Maybe I'm just preparing for the last war like a bad general, but it still feels like her time to strike.

Argonne69 · Nov 5, 2018

Mellow wrote:

Seems like the Q-Series players must be feeling exhilarated but exhausted. That was a lot of rounds to be coming off of. I'll be happy if they just make it through ok, and look forward to next season.

Actually, with no pro-am, they played less golf than most members in the two week span. On top of that they didn't have to travel given that both weeks were played at the same facility.

If they're exhausted, they had better rethink their tour plans, as back to back tournaments are the norm, and three in a row is fairly common.

Lottaouts · Nov 6, 2018

Shan Shan is fun to watch but I saw her on TV last weekend and she doesn't look so great. She seems to have gained weight during her recent hiatus. Can't see her winning until she gets in better shape.

Hope to see In Bee Park become a force again but maybe her career is on the decline due to age.

Would also like to see Lydia get back into the winners circle. I previously thought it was Lead poisoning and clubs furnished by Satan. Now I believe it is blonde hair and anorexia. Please go back to normal hair color and eat some protein. Too much talent to be playing mediocre golf.

ChronicSlicer · Nov 6, 2018

Lottaouts wrote:

Shan Shan is fun to watch but I saw her on TV last weekend and she doesn't look so great. She seems to have gained weight during her recent hiatus. Can't see her winning until she gets in better shape.

I was thinking she looked a tad more "filled out" as well. I get the feeling either she doesn`t care, or has an underlying health issue. Either way it can`t be good for her. Good luck to her.

Argonne69 · Nov 6, 2018

I don't believe Inbee's career is in decline because of age. Heck, she's only 30 years old. Cristie Kerr has won 10 times since turning 30. She's still 12th on the money list with nearly half as many events as the players around her. She did manage a top 10 at her last event (The Evian).

I think she's simply trimming back the schedule to focus on life outside of golf. Keep in mind that she has been playing tournament golf since she was 12 years old, winning nine times on the American Junior Golf Association circuit. She turned pro at age 17.

Argonne69 · Nov 7, 2018

Interesting first round leaderboard with five Thai players in the top 10. I don't recall seeing that for some time. You also have a handful of players that don't normally make it to the first page, including Alena, Chella, Gaby, and Jaye Marie. Ariya is T2, and may be finally warming up for her tour championship defense.

This week we'll get to see the young CLPGA players, including Yuting and Xiang. 'Not quite the talent level compared to the JLPGA though.

Argonne69 · Nov 7, 2018

Watched the first round coverage this evening. 'Definitely some tough conditions out there with the wind, pin placements, and green contours. An even par round was a good start, as the median score was +4. In the last three years the winning scores have been -9, -13, and -2, so the course is one of the harder ones on the schedule.

Wenbo reminds me of a young Wiesy with her height and arm extension through the swing.

Lol. When is the broadcast director going to learn to keep an open mic away from Danielle, or at least put it on delay? It seems they're apologizing for the colorful language each week.

Boricua Golf · Nov 7, 2018

Just wishing luck to my usual suspects: Mi Hyang Lee, Lydia Ko, Danielle Kang and Brianna Do.

AWinfortheAges · Nov 7, 2018

ChronicSlicer wrote:

Lottaouts wrote:

[Shan Shan] seems to have gained weight during her recent hiatus.

I was thinking she looked a tad more "filled out" as well.

Not to pile on or pick on her, but i thought the same thing. At a minimum she should to get back to her pre- break shape for competition and health.

Argonne69 · Nov 8, 2018

Wow, only two rounds in the 60's, Ariya's 68 and Weiwei Zhang's 69. I can't recall the last time the top 10 had players at even par.

Ariya definitely seems to be getting into form for the CME.

Stooch · Nov 8, 2018

Argonne69 wrote:

Wow, only two rounds in the 60's, Ariya's 68 and Weiwei Zhang's 69. I can't recall the last time the top 10 had players at even par.

Ariya definitely seems to be getting into form for the CME.

Ariya is definitely in the zone. And yes this one seems tough to play, wind the great enemy of the average LPGA field. lol

fredogolfer · Nov 8, 2018

I agree with the comments about Shanshan. None of these are to body shame, but it's amazing how much being overweight affects our bodies from stress on our joints to the chemicals our brain produces, from how well we digest to our **** drive, how well we sleep to how our body reacts to a cold or the flu. Being overweight makes our body work a lot harder than it needs to. I think this interview with Shanshan is really telling

http://www.lpga.com/...h-shanshan-feng

ChronicSlicer · Nov 8, 2018

fredogolfer wrote:

I agree with the comments about Shanshan. None of these are to body shame, but it's amazing how much being overweight affects our bodies from stress on our joints to the chemicals our brain produces, from how well we digest to our **** drive, how well we sleep to how our body reacts to a cold or the flu. Being overweight makes our body work a lot harder than it needs to. I think this interview with Shanshan is really telling

http://www.lpga.com/...h-shanshan-feng

At least she`s truthful. Props for that.

ChronicSlicer · Nov 8, 2018

Stooch wrote:

Argonne69 wrote:

Wow, only two rounds in the 60's, Ariya's 68 and Weiwei Zhang's 69. I can't recall the last time the top 10 had players at even par.

Ariya definitely seems to be getting into form for the CME.

Ariya is definitely in the zone. And yes this one seems tough to play, wind the great enemy of the average LPGA field. lol

Did you see the 330yd 3w shot? Good lord that thing had some roll out.

Argonne69 · Nov 9, 2018

Much better scoring today, but there were still a lot of big numbers out there, i.e. 78's and 79's.

'Nice round of 66 for Gaby to take the lead by one over Ariya. Sung Hyun fires a solid 67 to jump into the mix along with Sei Young, but at 5 back they might be a little too far off the pace. However, I guess a 3 shot swing by two players is certainly within the realm of possibilities, so hold on to your hats.

ClairefromClare · Nov 9, 2018

Agreed--ladies and gentlemen, we have a real contest on our hands. This will be fun.

ChronicSlicer · Nov 9, 2018

Considering Gabby has never finished higher than 7th place, I wonder if nerves will get the best of her. I bet they do.

North Texas · Nov 9, 2018

Argonne69 wrote:

Much better scoring today, but there were still a lot of big numbers out there, i.e. 78's and 79's.

'Nice round of 66 for Gaby to take the lead by one over Ariya. Sung Hyun fires a solid 67 to jump into the mix along with Sei Young, but at 5 back they might be a little too far off the pace. However, I guess a 3 shot swing by two players is certainly within the realm of possibilities, so hold on to your hats.

Noticed that Gaby played her final six holes in 5 under par including a hole-in-one on 17.

Argonne69 · Nov 9, 2018

Yeah, the spotlight is definitely on Gaby. We've had a bunch of first time winners this season, but we've also had a few players looking to grab their first win falter down the stretch. Which Gaby will show up? Having Ariya and Sung Hyun on her tail won't be easy.

tbowles411 · Nov 9, 2018

Well evidently I missed the fact there was an event on. At least I'll have something to do tonight.

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2018 Blue Bay LPGA Nov 07-10

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