New Zealand Open

[jmvargas]

i'm getting a delayed telecast now at Fox Sports 2HD for day 4 but am not sure if this will continue till the end of play on day 5..

 

..coverage was only up to end of play on day 4 so in fact only a replay of yesterday...

 

in any case lydia ko played the last 2 holes 5 over with an 8 on the last...bummer!

[Argonne69]

'Not quite sure what Belen was complaining about. The top 5 players still managed rounds under par.

 

It's nice to see The Rocket near the top of the standings. 'Might be enough to keep her card for 2018.

 

Best finish of the year for Jennifer Song. Same for Jing Yan, who's previous best this season was 21st. She basically doubled her earnings for the year in one week.

[Mellow]

Congratulations to Brooke. That's a great reward for making the trip and bringing her name and excitement to the event. Her grueling schedule worked out all around.

 

Solo 2 for Jing, how cool! I've liked her since reading a bit about her a while ago, she sounded really great. Super happy for Su. And Jennifer Song. And it's neat to see Spanish flags in top 5 after so long.

 

Lydia got T22, and was doing really good the first three days. That's one thing better about this event taking place now instead of earlier this year; Lydia probably wouldn't have done as well back then as now. So hopefully this was a good experience for her overall, and for the New Zealand scene.

 

The big splash to me is solo 3 for Hee Young! Wooooooooooooo She had an opportunity here and she really launched! I hope and hope that really is enough to save her. Any way to know? I'll be giddy about this for who know's how long.

 

So lot of wins and big boosts to go around. There's got to be some really happy players down there!

[Tailgater]

Congratulations to Brooke. That's a great reward for making the trip and bringing her name and excitement to the event. Her grueling schedule worked out all around.

 

Solo 2 for Jing, how cool! I've liked her since reading a bit about her a while ago, she sounded really great. Super happy for Su. And Jennifer Song. And it's neat to see Spanish flags in top 5 after so long.

 

Lydia got T22, and was doing really good the first three days. That's one thing better about this event taking place now instead of earlier this year; Lydia probably wouldn't have done as well back then as now. So hopefully this was a good experience for her overall, and for the New Zealand scene.

 

The big splash to me is solo 3 for Hee Young! Wooooooooooooo She had an opportunity here and she really launched! I hope and hope that really is enough to save her. Any way to know? I'll be giddy about this for who know's how long.

 

So lot of wins and big boosts to go around. There's got to be some really happy players down there!

Also a T8 for Cheyenne Woods as she battles to keep her card.

[Mick Douglas]

Huge congratulations to Brooke, it's only fair after how well Lydia plays in Canada for Brooke to com to NZ and do the same.

 

Looked to be amazing crowds and considering Auckland only has a population of 1.4 million LPGA officials said Thursday and Friday crowds were equal to normal Sunday crowds in the US.

 

If they move the event to February or keep it at this time slot they deserve a stronger field, having read numerous articles and lots of the girls twitter accounts they love the course and the country but also many of them said they tried to get other players to come but especially the US players were reluctant to travel so far. I mean in this day and age with first class travel and the ability to sleep distance to an event shouldn't hold top players back as surely winning titles is the main goal of a top athlete.

Between Pillar, Lee, Lewis, Kerr, Korda sisters, Jutanugarn sisters, Feng, Yin, Salas, Green, Earnst, Gal, and Thompson surely at least half of them could have committed to play and make a holiday out of the trip. All of them are playing in Korea in 2 weeks

[4waymiss]

 

The big splash to me is solo 3 for Hee Young! Wooooooooooooo She had an opportunity here and she really launched! I hope and hope that really is enough to save her. Any way to know? I'll be giddy about this for who know's how long.

 

 

 

The Rocket did it. She pulled off a 4 TD comeback in the 4th quarter to retain her full card. In fact I believe she is the only one who saved her card in this last opportunity.

 

Belen failed by 1 shot. Had she shot 77 instead of 78, she would have gotten a full card. She will still have partial status and should be able to get in at least 15 events next year.

[pmcuk]

 

Belen failed by 1 shot. Had she shot 77 instead of 78, she would have gotten a full card. She will still have partial status and should be able to get in at least 15 events next year.

 

She must be disappointed. But if you can't shoot a decent under par last round you're not going to cut it in these tournaments. Winners win because they can hold it together under pressure.

[Raving Shanker]

The big splash to me is solo 3 for Hee Young! Wooooooooooooo She had an opportunity here and she really launched! I hope and hope that really is enough to save her. Any way to know? I'll be giddy about this for who know's how long.

 

 

 

The Rocket did it. She pulled off a 4 TD comeback in the 4th quarter to retain her full card. In fact I believe she is the only one who saved her card in this last opportunity.

 

Belen failed by 1 shot. Had she shot 77 instead of 78, she would have gotten a full card. She will still have partial status and should be able to get in at least 15 events next year.

 

Is this the official end of the season? What about the remaining tournaments?

[Warrick]

I knew Belen was in big trouble today, way too much of a grind with all the short putts and fist pumps on Saturday. She needs some mental toughness, folded like a house of cards yesterday.

 

Way to go Brooke! I think that puts my 4 favorite golfers in the top 5 of the CME Race.

[duffer987]

Huge congratulations to Brooke, it's only fair after how well Lydia plays in Canada for Brooke to com to NZ and do the same.

 

Looked to be amazing crowds and considering Auckland only has a population of 1.4 million LPGA officials said Thursday and Friday crowds were equal to normal Sunday crowds in the US.

 

If they move the event to February or keep it at this time slot they deserve a stronger field, having read numerous articles and lots of the girls twitter accounts they love the course and the country but also many of them said they tried to get other players to come but especially the US players were reluctant to travel so far. I mean in this day and age with first class travel and the ability to sleep distance to an event shouldn't hold top players back as surely winning titles is the main goal of a top athlete.

Between Pillar, Lee, Lewis, Kerr, Korda sisters, Jutanugarn sisters, Feng, Yin, Salas, Green, Earnst, Gal, and Thompson surely at least half of them could have committed to play and make a holiday out of the trip. All of them are playing in Korea in 2 weeks

 

Maybe they don't want to live out of a suitcase 1/2 way around the world from their homes for 4+ weeks or spend a lot of time back and forthing at airports?

It was a fun tourney to watch (yeah Brooke!) on a course set up well for the ladies and I'm sure a US-based event would bite your hand off to guarantee that final threeball on a Sunday.

 

As William Munny said - Deserve's got nothing to do with it.

[Argonne69]

It's always unfortunate when bad weather plays a major factor in a tournament, especially when some players bear the worst of it. I'd like to see the tournament moved earlier in the year so it can piggyback on the Women's Australian Open. However, Spring or Fall, weather is going to be an issue at times. I'm glad they were able to finish the tournament.

 

I do agree, though, that play should have been suspended earlier when the heavy winds arrived. Blowing debris is not to be taken lightly.

[ClairefromClare]

 

Is this the official end of the season? What about the remaining tournaments?

 

The remaining tournaments aren't full field events. Difficult for players on the bubble to get into them.

[Hifade]

Asian swing for the next 4 or 5 weeks as they wind down and approach the year ending race for the CME.

[4waymiss]

The big splash to me is solo 3 for Hee Young! Wooooooooooooo She had an opportunity here and she really launched! I hope and hope that really is enough to save her. Any way to know? I'll be giddy about this for who know's how long.

 

 

 

The Rocket did it. She pulled off a 4 TD comeback in the 4th quarter to retain her full card. In fact I believe she is the only one who saved her card in this last opportunity.

 

Belen failed by 1 shot. Had she shot 77 instead of 78, she would have gotten a full card. She will still have partial status and should be able to get in at least 15 events next year.

 

Is this the official end of the season? What about the remaining tournaments?

 

The remaining tournaments are limited field , no cut event. The low ranking player can only get in by invites. But money earned in no cut events on invites doesn't count towards official money.

 

Unless the invitee WINS the event outright, then she will get her tour card via tour winner status.

[jmvargas]

i'm getting a delayed telecast now at Fox Sports 2HD for day 4 but am not sure if this will continue till the end of play on day 5..

 

..coverage was only up to end of play on day 4 so in fact only a replay of yesterday...

 

in any case lydia ko played the last 2 holes 5 over with an 8 on the last...bummer!

 

 

they finally showed the delayed telecast of day 5 later tonight so am good.

[Mellow]

The Rocket did it. She pulled off a 4 TD comeback in the 4th quarter to retain her full card. In fact I believe she is the only one who saved her card in this last opportunity.

 

Belen failed by 1 shot. Had she shot 77 instead of 78, she would have gotten a full card. She will still have partial status and should be able to get in at least 15 events next year.

 

Thank you for knowing and answering.

 

So happy for HYP. Been scared for her for what feels like all season. Wanna throw a party! Next to-do item for her: not getting in bad trouble like this again!

 

Gack, that's awful for Belen (and anyone else). One shot exactly, that could not feel more gutting :(

[Seamus_McDuff]

Belen’s last three years on the money list: 101, 104, 104.

 

She still got in 19 tournaments this year so she’ll be fine.

[Climb&Golf]

I was out on course yesterday for the conclusion of round 4, and followed Brooke, Belen and Brittany from 7 to the end. I play a lot in high winds on a links course, and it was very difficult conditions out there at Windross. As strong as it gets and still playable.. Some of the gusts were almost pushing you off your feet.

 

On the par 3 17th (Dead into the wind) Brooke was going with hybrid and changed at the last second to 3W. She put it to 10ft, just past pin high. I lasered the pin at 155yds! So that was a solid 6 club wind..

 

Downwind on 15 (Par 4), she also used 3W and finished just off the front edge. Around 297yds from the back tee to there..

 

She was very composed and focused all day, even when she made a mistake she didn't let it get to her, very impressive play. Lincicome and Mozo were visibly losing it.

 

Brooke's approach shot into 18 (right into the teeth of the wind) was sensational. Here's some stills from the vids I took.

 

 

Insane.

 

 

17th Hole.

 

 

11th Green

 

 

Brooke and Brittany

 

 

8th Hole

 

 

 

12th Hole.

 

 

Approach on 16

 

 

Fantastic finish on 18.

[unpc]

I don't think the commentators quite understood the wind eg referring to 40km/h as at least that yesterday. The forecasts are for mean wind not including gusts.Although a specific figure they are +-5. Actually yesterday at 10am the gusts were 70kmh that is 43.mph or 37.8 knots. Average not including gusts is about 2/3 of that. The conditions were very cold and unpleasant so I went home.

On Sunday the figures were about 10-20% higher.

As to when the conditions became dangerous. The video showed holes where conditions were unpleasant but then switched immediately to another hole where some signage came loose and umbrellas blew out. That was excessive and play immediately stopped. The point is wind and gusts vary over relatively small distances as any sailor or person standing downwind from a smoking fire knows.Whether the players should have been kept hanging around and then sent out for half an hour when it was impossible to finish is less easy to understand. Very frustrating for them and tiring.

Some obviously handled the wind very well. Others found hitting the sedge not fescue meant difficulty even though it had been trimmed and often flattened. Lydia took 2 shots to get out twice costing her three shots. Most members know that situation very well. At least the flattened tussocks usually but not always made the ball easy to find.Many hit excellent chips out.

The other side of the story is that on the first few days the conditions were benign with light winds and the hazards and tussocks more out of play, which was reflected in the scores.

[Warrick]

watching Brooke hit driver is one of my favorite things to watch in golf. That turn and wrist set are f'in amazing. Look where that club head is in the 3rd pic from bottom. The first picture is nuts too.

 

I was kinda hoping to see In Gee win the CME, which would give Brooke, SH Park, So Yeon, and In Gee great seasons, but I am not sure I can pull for anyone over Brooke.

[Raving Shanker]

Is this the official end of the season? What about the remaining tournaments?

 

The remaining tournaments aren't full field events. Difficult for players on the bubble to get into them.

Sure, but it's not over. That sounded like a wrap up.

[duffer987]

@Climb&Golf - Thanks for the pics :)

Those stills are like some of the classic John Daly pics!

[Climb&Golf]

No problem @duffer987. She's so impressive to watch. 5.4" and just murders the ball. That's a 48" driver as well! Seems to always choke down.

 

It's crazy how she drops from the apex of her swing and flattens back into the slot so fast. Here's the full downswing sequence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stooch]

I guess I see another reason why Belen Mozo was lees than impressed having to play on Monday in NZ, she's playing the LET event in France this week...........that's gotta be a long flight with a nasty time zone shift lol. I was wondering why we didn't see many of the top LET players at the NZ event. They probably didn't wanna take an exemption and deal with the travel. I'm kinda surprised that Goergia Hall didn't go to NZ, travel would have sucked and hindsight with Brooke's score would have been tough to beat but with the weak field it could have been a great opportunity to steal a LPGA tour card

[jmvargas]

No problem @duffer987. She's so impressive to watch. 5.4" and just murders the ball. That's a 48" driver as well! Seems to always choke down.

 

It's crazy how she drops from the apex of her swing and flattens back into the slot so fast. Here's the full downswing sequence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i am a great admirer of Brooke but her swing is bound to give her problems in the future..

 

luckily she is still very young but this is a swing that places a lot of strain on her back and wrists..

 

she needs to make sure she does the right maintenance exercises required to make her as effective as she is now for as long as possible..

 

i do like that her backswing is so long that even if it shortens as she ages it will still be pretty long by normal standards..

 

i can only wish her the best in the future..

[Warrick]

@Climb&Golf - seriously, thanks for adding more, that is so awesome.

 

A lot of guys on here play a driver shorter than 44.5, and that is her 3W length? Damn! I know she chokes down, but that is some cool stuff from a small woman.

 

I hope she maintains that top 5 in the CME for the Tour Championship, would like to see her take it all.

 

It looks like she drops it down like Sergio kinda, not sure if there is quite the lag though.