2018 HUGEL-JTBC LA Open Apr 19-22

[Argonne69]

• Race to the CME Globe: 500 Points
  
• Format: 72 holes
  
• Purse: $1,500,000
  
• Location: Wilshire CC, Los Angeles, CA
  
• Par: 72
  
• Yardage: 6,450
  
• History: This is the inaugural year for the event.
  

Coverage:

• Apr 19: Golf Channel 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm (EDT)
  
• Apr 20: Golf Channel 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm (EDT)
  
• Apr 21: Golf Channel 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (EDT)
  
• Apr 22: Golf Channel 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (EDT)
  

[Argonne69]

This is the first year for this event, and it has a strong field. In-Kyung is the only player in the Rolex Top 10 sitting out. It appears that In Gee is sitting out, also. 'Not sure if it's related to her illness last week. Sei Young is out as well.

 

The weather forecast looks great. There's a chance for a morning shower on Thursday, but otherwise it'll be sunny and pleasant with light winds.

 

The Golf Channel coverage looks pretty good, with 3 1/2 hours of primetime (U.S.) each night.

 

With no history, it's tough to pick a winner. Based on her recent play I'll go with Inbee. This is the 9th event of the year, so it's time for a number of players to kick it into gear. Lexi, So Yeon, Sung Hyun, Cristie, Danielle, Minjee, Lydia, and Anna are all outside the top 10 in CME points.

[AWinfortheAges]

I expect the USC and UCLA alums to do well. Throw Jenny Shin in the mix as well.

[Stooch]

Well it's been a good ride after next week in San Fran, we'll be heading back into the 2 hours of coverage at times all over the map. Maybe the LPGA should just play strictly on the West Coast lol. I kinda think Imbee is due for another one also, being close and not getting it done the last 2 events will probably have her motivated. I can see Minjee having a good event too, like Brooke she's shown some good early form but had a little dip, if she's motivated and can avoid that 74 round she's been having lately I see her near the top.

[Stooch]

Also fade Allison Lee this week, she'll be leaving some Frat house kegger early in the AM to make her 7:30 tee time :bad:

[ClairefromClare]

Mo Martin's a UCLA alum and has been playing well lately. Would love to see her have a great tournament.

[fanofseri]

Patty Hurst's collapse at Wilshire in 2001 was one for the ages. She should have received a sponsor's exemption for this year for a shot at redemption. Whan has people brainwashed that the LPGA is in great shape, but the HUGEL-JTBC purse is a paltry $1.5 million compared to $1.75 million when the 3-day Office Depot was played at El Caballero in 2004.

[AWinfortheAges]

Also fade Allison Lee this week, she'll be leaving some Frat house kegger early in the AM to make her 7:30 tee time :bad:

 

I've seen an instagram post this week of Allison working with Chris Mayson, who also works with I.K. Kim. Not sure how long he's coached her or if we'll see any improvements this week. But maybe being at home will help her.

[Mellow]

I'm surprised I.K.'s not playing. I think she said she tries to do each tournament every-other-year to keep the variety up, so I would have thought a new one would be appealing.

 

Ah well, I am happy everyone else gets to play competitively on a new course, and the other new ones this season! It's got to be exciting for the girls to get something new to try.

 

I also wish we knew if In Gee just wasn't playing this one, or if she's sick... any news please?

 

Alison's been on a disaster course for a long time now. Must be some story behind it.

 

Currently Inbee does seem the safest bet. Some of the top players from last year are kind of in a meh-zone right now, I hope they break out of.

 

I'm gonna pick Minjee! I think she's still on the up; last week started out well. Also cheering for M.J. to have another good outing!

[Argonne69]

IK is scheduled to play next week in San Francisco, so I have to assume she's trying to avoid back-to-back weeks.

[KBong]

With no history, it's tough to pick a winner.

Agree.....the talkin heads on Golf Central and the guy from LA (can't remember his name) say this is a shot makers course.....whatever that means....lol.....I think one has to execute shots and putt well each week to win.

 

I'll won't try to pick a winner...but will say that Jenny Money will top 10....why?....this is s new course....but she is always confident hitting her driver.

[KBong]

Whan has people brainwashed that the LPGA is in great shape, but the HUGEL-JTBC purse is a paltry $1.5 million compared to $1.75 million when the 3-day Office Depot was played at El Caballero in 2004.

This.

 

Yup...if Whan was capable he would have shilled the sponsors to fork out a $2.75M purse and have conned the members of LA G&CC to host the event.

[KBong]

1) I'm surprised I.K.'s not playing. I think she said she tries to do each tournament every-other-year to keep the variety up, so I would have thought a new one would be appealing.

 

2) I also wish we knew if In Gee just wasn't playing this one, or if she's sick... any news please?

 

3) Alison's been on a disaster course for a long time now. Must be some story behind it.

1) I'm also surprised Inky isn't playing...she'll be FREEZING at Lake Merced next week.

 

2) In Gee was in the field and WD'd....likely still sick....she's kinda becoming like Wiezy...prone to aliments/sickness.

 

3) If Alison is injured, she's not telling any/many people...IMO....Alison has the "it" power if she could only win a lot to become a star.

 

I'm kind of surprised Jin Young Ko is playing....unless she does a last minute WD...due to her grandfather's passing last week...RIP.

[Stooch]

Whan has people brainwashed that the LPGA is in great shape, but the HUGEL-JTBC purse is a paltry $1.5 million compared to $1.75 million when the 3-day Office Depot was played at El Caballero in 2004.

This.

 

Yup...if Whan was capable he would have shilled the sponsors to fork out a $2.75M purse and have conned the members of LA G&CC to host the event.

Let's be real, Whan wanted into the LA market and would do anything to get there, the girls are lucky the prize isn't 5000 travel points from Travelosity and a Garden Gnome as the trophy

[jumpcut]

Whan has people brainwashed that the LPGA is in great shape, but the HUGEL-JTBC purse is a paltry $1.5 million compared to $1.75 million when the 3-day Office Depot was played at El Caballero in 2004.

This.

 

Yup...if Whan was capable he would have shilled the sponsors to fork out a $2.75M purse and have conned the members of LA G&CC to host the event.

Who cares what the purse is? It's not like you or I are going to win it. I'm no Whan fanboy but he did get an LA event at a great venue up and running and its attracted what will probably be the best non-major field of the year.

[fanofseri]

The winner may care about the purse. Of course, she doesn't have to pay $20 to park at the Hollywood Bowl.

[Mellow]

Thanks for answers. Unhappy to hear that about In Gee, really hope she gets better. I kind of think that too, she may be on the delicate side.

 

How cold can Lake Merced be ... over here, it was snowing today!

 

Love the 5000 travel points, don't give them any ideas...

[KBong]

Let's be real, Whan wanted into the LA market and would do anything to get there, the girls are lucky the prize isn't 5000 travel points from Travelosity and a Garden Gnome as the trophy

:cheesy:

 

Did you see those fools on Shotmakers last night rubbing the Gnome for good luck...what a garbage show.

 

Let's face it...it's great that LA gets an event...but let's see if the people of LA come out to watch...we'll see come Thurs to Sun.

There is a huge population to draw from in the NYC area/NJ.....but it was crickets when the newly minted Women's PGA Championship had it's inaugural in 2015 at Westchester CC.

 

If they do get great galleries this year...can they maintain that for years to come?

 

The winner may care about the purse. Of course, she doesn't have to pay $20 to park at the Hollywood Bowl.

Ride your bike.

[KBong]

How cold can Lake Merced be ... over here, it was snowing today!

I've played Harding Park and Presidio in early August starting at 8am....my hands were numb coming off #9.

The Swing Skirt event was hosted at Lake Merced in 2014-2016...the gals all wore sweaters and long pants...especially the morning wave....you'll see for yourself next week.

 

Mark Twain...."The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Fran".

[Stooch]

Let's be real, Whan wanted into the LA market and would do anything to get there, the girls are lucky the prize isn't 5000 travel points from Travelosity and a Garden Gnome as the trophy

:cheesy:

 

Did you see those fools on Shotmakers last night rubbing the Gnome for good luck...what a garbage show.

 

Let's face it...it's great that LA gets an event...but let's see if the people of LA come out to watch...we'll see come Thurs to Sun.

There is a huge population to draw from in the NYC area/NJ.....but it was crickets when the newly minted Women's PGA Championship had it's inaugural in 2015 at Westchester CC.

 

If they do get great galleries this year...can they maintain that for years to come?

 

 

Cosmo cities like LA, New York and Toronto aren't great sports cities, they are A-List event or Red Carpet cities. They support the big time trendy teams and big time events, but they don't show up for the 2nd tier stuff and sadly the LPGA will be viewed as 2nd tier. That said, I doubt attendance will be any worse any year than any of the other event on tour, I just doubt it will be like a PGA event from an optics point of view, the fairways won't be lined with fans. I guess the media market will give some nice exposure.

[Golf Dino]

Whan has people brainwashed that the LPGA is in great shape, but the HUGEL-JTBC purse is a paltry $1.5 million compared to $1.75 million when the 3-day Office Depot was played at El Caballero in 2004.

This.

 

Yup...if Whan was capable he would have shilled the sponsors to fork out a $2.75M purse and have conned the members of LA G&CC to host the event.

Who cares what the purse is? It's not like you or I are going to win it. I'm no Whan fanboy but he did get an LA event at a great venue up and running and its attracted what will probably be the best non-major field of the year.

 

No ...not including the fall Asian swing which is a limited field, typically the best attended event on the LPGA tour is the Canadian Open. Being a former major and with one of the biggest purses of the year, it has traditionally been very well attended both by fans and by the players.

[fanofseri]

Smart move by Whan to pair SHP with J. Song. He wants to give Terminator the best chance possible to win in front of her people.

[quackhead]

I'm going with Natalie Gulbis for the upset of the century :bb:

[Argonne69]

Inbee off to a fast start at -3 through 5 holes.

 

[hebsan]

Inbee off to a fast start at -3 through 5 holes.

 

And on the other side of the coin - NYC +7 after 5 to include a quad at #2.

[fanofseri]

Inbee off to a fast start at -3 through 5 holes.

 

Poor little Wilshire appears defenseless against a master like Inbee. The trend of Hall of Famers winning within the city limits looks to continue.

[KBong]

I'm going with Natalie Gulbis for the upset of the century :bb:

LMAO....your QUACKhead alias is appropriate. :taunt:

 

Inbee off to a fast start at -3 through 5 holes.

 

And on the other side of the coin - NYC +7 after 5 to include a quad at #2.

+10 after 9 holes...a WD now.

[tbowles411]

Inbee off to a fast start at -3 through 5 holes.

 

And on the other side of the coin - NYC +7 after 5 to include a quad at #2.

Sad. What happened to her? Her game is seriously gone.

[tbowles411]

I'm going with Natalie Gulbis for the upset of the century :bb:

LMAO....your QUACKhead alias is appropriate. :taunt:

 

Inbee off to a fast start at -3 through 5 holes.

 

And on the other side of the coin - NYC +7 after 5 to include a quad at #2.

+10 after 9 holes...a WD now.

And just like that. **POOF** The 85 score was virtually a lock.

[Stooch]

Judging by some of the scores, the course has teeth if you are out of position