2016 ANA Inspiration

[AKL Kiwi]

Venue: Mission Hills Country Club, Dinah Shore Tournament Course, Rancho Mirage, CA. USA.

Date: Mar 31 – April 03

Course stats: par 72 6,769 yards

Format: 72 holes

Purse: $2,600,000

Defending Champion: Brittany Lincicome (-9)

 

The field for this tournament (112) with a cut at 70 plus ties.

 

Sponsor Invites: Sierra Brooks (a), Karen Chung (a), Bronte Law (a), Leona Maguire (a), Albane Valenzuela (a)

 

Official Website: http://www.anainspiration.com/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/...on/with_replies

[AKL Kiwi]

Looks like we will see the top 19 RR players in action this week making up a very strong field. The course looks great from the photos. I hope we get a few WRX'ers out on course again this week for some outside the ropes coverage. We're also getting a nice amount of extra live coverage from the GC. I guess Lydia deserves to be the favourite here but I'm not putting a lot on her last two starts as this is a quite different course again this week but I expect her to be in the mix come Sunday again.

[Leftagain]

Yep, looking good!

 

 

[Leftagain]

Great field this week, as it should be.

 

The only players missing from the Rolex Top 50 are Teresa Lu, Sun Ju Ahn, Jiyai Shin and Jung Min Lee. So that's 46 of the Top 50 and 74 of the Top 100 will be there.

 

As much as I'd love to see Lydia win I reckon a Top 10 would be a good result for her this year, she just hasn't played well at this event, not sure why exactly. It's a bombers paradise so that doesn't help but that doesn't explain the really mediocre results. Maybe she will feel a lot less internal pressure this year and freewheel a bit more and the scores will come, hope so..

 

I'll run with the bombers theme for the contenders, only twice in the last ten years has this event been won by someone averaging less than 255.

 

#1 Sei Young. She was T4 here last year, her length is a big plus and she's played well (mostly) this year.

#2 Lexi. If her putting is off then forget it, if it's on look out.

#3 Ha Na. Hopefully her and In Gee will sort out their stuff in the car park and the Hanagiser will be back..

 

Possibles..

 

Inbee, she is one of the two that has won hitting it short, not sure one good result this year is enough to back her in here. Particularly when there is quite a number of bombers playing well.

Henderson. This place should suit her well but I'm not convinced she has the head for a win here.

The other Korean Olympic hopefuls, they'll all be looking for results here given the Rolex ranking points are fixed and high.

 

Roughies,

 

Bam Bam, she loves the place but I wouldn't put my hard earned on her..

Sung Hyun Park, played great last week, she bombs it, if she gets on it she could be a threat. Finishing could be the issue though, like last week.

Bo-Mee Lee ?? Maybe? If she has any Olympic aspirations at all she MUST do really well here. She just can't get enough points playing in Korea or Japan to qualify.

In Gee? Hasn't played in a month and isn't long off the tee, I don't think she'll do a lot.

 

Given my recent form I've probably already jinxed all the above so good luck to all!

[Leftagain]

[Boricua Golf]

I will always wish the best to the Pros I have caddied for before, Kim Kaufman, Paula Reto and Mi Hyang Lee, hopefully they all do well this week...

[Argonne69]

I'm going to go with Sung Hyun Park. T4 and T9 in the past two tournaments, she's certainly long enough. Gerina would be my dark horse pick.

[Kaysquare]

My personal preference for a winner would be either Lexi or Stacy.

[Argopo]

Question: Will the LPGA/event organizers pair Ha Na Jang and In Gee Chun together on Thursday in order to get that drama over with quickly?

 

Much in the same way they paired Alison Lee and Suzanne Pettersen together earlier in the year.

[PZero]

I'm liking Lexi or Sei Young this week. Can't wait.

 

Hopefully, the crowds are better this year than last year.

[Leftagain]

I just heard they've let the rough grow this year, that would be kinda interesting.

 

Anyone else heard that?

 

Negates my bomber theory a little if true.

[Lou Loomis]

Stephanie Meadow out of nowhere for the win

[AKL Kiwi]

The pairings are out and I thought if you were world #1 you would at least get to start with another top 10 player... How are these pairings worked out? RR#3 Lexi Thompson gets defending champion RR#18 Brittany Lincicome and RR#3 Stacy Lewis gets RR#6 Ha Na Jang. Lydia Ko gets Gerina Piller...RR#21!

[Hifade]

Lydia and Gerina would be a great group to follow. Top 3 for me in no particular order this week are: Lydia, Lexi and Inbee. Lydia and Inbee are in great form and Lexi, being a bomber, has an advantage at MH's. Will be good TV.

[Golf64]

My eyes, as usual, are on our girl Brooke! ;)

[south_side_lefty]

Hoping to see Leona Maguire make a good showing.

[slowkuruma]

I will be out there for tomorrows first round (I wonder why there is a 3 hour gap between the morning groups and afternoon? TV?)

 

Probably will make Sundays final also

[Kaysquare]

Just read an article on AOL News that Caitlin Jenner (5.3 index) will be playing in the ANA Pro-Am today. I wonder who she's paired with?

Any followers?

[tbowles411]

Just read an article on AOL News that Caitlin Jenner (5.3 index) will be playing in the ANA Pro-Am today. I wonder who she's paired with?

Any followers?

There are so many jokes here....must resist...

[Kaysquare]

Just read an article on AOL News that Caitlin Jenner (5.3 index) will be playing in the ANA Pro-Am today. I wonder who she's paired with?

Any followers?

There are so many jokes here....must resist...

I know.....just thought I'd throw it out there. My hubby's been cracking himself up all morning over this. :taunt:

[Warrick]

will be rooting for

 

Lydia

So Yeon

Brooke

In-Gee

Lexi

 

I will definitely be keeping an eye on Sung Hyun Park after last week.

[legitimategolf]

I'm going to go with Sung Hyun Park. T4 and T9 in the past two tournaments, she's certainly long enough.

 

I will definitely be keeping an eye on Sung Hyun Park after last week.

 

Interesting. I don't think she is ready to win any tournament in the US, let alone the one where you have to jump into a pond on international live TV. Not a question of golf talent but of willingness to be in the spotlight. She is shy and not English-fluent. So I think she will have a hard time outside of KLPGA.

[Warrick]

I'm going to go with Sung Hyun Park. T4 and T9 in the past two tournaments, she's certainly long enough.

 

I will definitely be keeping an eye on Sung Hyun Park after last week.

 

Interesting. I don't think she is ready to win any tournament in the US, let alone the one where you have to jump into a pond on international live TV. Not a question of golf talent but of willingness to be in the spotlight. She is shy and not English-fluent. So I think she will have a hard time outside of KLPGA.

 

Game sure looks to be there, and although maybe not ready for a win, especially one like this, a little confidence from last week can't hurt.

 

I enjoyed watching her play.

[4waymiss]

Just read an article on AOL News that Caitlin Jenner (5.3 index) will be playing in the ANA Pro-Am today. I wonder who she's paired with?

Any followers?

 

She/He apparently had a good time with Jaye Marie Green.

 

[Warrick]

Which set of tees?

[AKL Kiwi]

My personal preference for a winner would be either Lexi or Stacy.

 

I know Lydia has been using a new XR 16 Pro Driver and now a Chrome Soft prototype golf ball (was using a XR3) last tournament. She and Stacy both were using the same Titlest ball before it came off the approved list and at the time both were having great success. Perhaps Stacy now needs to try following her ex apprentice and start using the same one again. If a switch to Callaway gets her winning again surely that is the most important thing not letting pride get in the way. Not saying she hasn't already trialled it though but the ball change to a Bridgestone has not been an easy one for her and as we all know not resulted in a win since using it.

[tbowles411]

My personal preference for a winner would be either Lexi or Stacy.

 

I know Lydia has been using a new XR 16 Pro Driver and now a Chrome Soft prototype golf ball (was using a XR3) last tournament. She and Stacy both were using the same Titlest ball before it came off the approved list and at the time both were having great success. Perhaps Stacy now needs to try following her ex apprentice and start using the same one again. If a switch to Callaway gets her winning again surely that is the most important thing not letting pride get in the way. Not saying she hasn't already trialled it though but the ball change to a Bridgestone has not been an easy one for her and as we all know not resulted in a win since using it.

I thought she (Stacy) was already using a Callaway ball?

[rushfan96]

My personal preference for a winner would be either Lexi or Stacy.

 

I know Lydia has been using a new XR 16 Pro Driver and now a Chrome Soft prototype golf ball (was using a XR3) last tournament. She and Stacy both were using the same Titlest ball before it came off the approved list and at the time both were having great success. Perhaps Stacy now needs to try following her ex apprentice and start using the same one again. If a switch to Callaway gets her winning again surely that is the most important thing not letting pride get in the way. Not saying she hasn't already trialled it though but the ball change to a Bridgestone has not been an easy one for her and as we all know not resulted in a win since using it.

I thought she (Stacy) was already using a Callaway ball?

 

Bridgestone. Last year she used B330RX. On their site she's playing the B330S.

[mnmlistgolfr]

Just read an article on AOL News that Caitlin Jenner (5.3 index) will be playing in the ANA Pro-Am today. I wonder who she's paired with?

Any followers?

 

Holed out for eagle on the 1st hole!

 

Hilarious line from Danielle Kang in this espnW article

"She told me she putts better now because her boobs anchor her," Kang said.

"Yes, I do," Jenner agreed.

[Kaysquare]

Just read an article on AOL News that Caitlin Jenner (5.3 index) will be playing in the ANA Pro-Am today. I wonder who she's paired with?

Any followers?

 

Holed out for eagle on the 1st hole!

 

Hilarious line from Danielle Kang in this espnW article

 

"She told me she putts better now because her boobs anchor her," Kang said.

"Yes, I do," Jenner agreed.

I have to wonder what Ben Wright would think of that. :taunt: