2018 USWO

[KBong]

Fantastic week for the amateur Patty Tavatanakit. She hung in there with the pros, and out scored 51 of them. Love to see the amateurs do well.

 

Ji Hyun represented the KLPGA well with a solid top 10.

Both Patty and Ji Hyun seems to have the physical attributes to contend well on the LPGA.

 

I think in 5 years time...the gals coming out of Thailand will be a force to be a strong 2nd competitor to S. Korea's dominance on the LPGA.

 

FWIW....I really enjoyed my Thai golf vacation back in 2002....great value and venues back then...our 3 days in Bangkok was really great too.

 

I hope to see Porna win on the LPGA soon.

Where was Dumbo today?..she's always out to congratulating the winners.

[KBong]

FYI....I just looked....there is a pretty good field ready to play the Shoprite next week right after a major.

It doesn't start until Friday due to a very large 2 day pro-am.

[Warrick]

I know one thing, if she happens to get driver figured out here at some point, the rest could be in some trouble. She has a good short game, and can putt.

 

This win may give her even more confidence, knowing she about gave it away, and still had the mental fortitude to grind it out.

[Phreddy]

Ariya should be proud of herself for having the grit to stay in it and win. Giving up a 7 shot lead and then going 1 down in a two hole playoff would have seen many players fold on the spot. I can understand how many of you feel that to have lost it would have been damaging to her psych, but in 1966 Arnold Palmer gave up a 7 shot lead and lost the US Open at Olympic Club and his career didn't suck in the wake of that loss.

 

phred

[hebsan]

Fantastic week for the amateur Patty Tavatanakit. She hung in there with the pros, and out scored 51 of them. Love to see the amateurs do well.

 

Ji Hyun represented the KLPGA well with a solid top 10.

Both Patty and Ji Hyun seems to have the physical attributes to contend well on the LPGA.

 

I think in 5 years time...the gals coming out of Thailand will be a force to be a strong 2nd competitor to S. Korea's dominance on the LPGA.

 

FWIW....I really enjoyed my Thai golf vacation back in 2002....great value and venues back then...our 3 days in Bangkok was really great too.

 

I hope to see Porna win on the LPGA soon.

Where was Dumbo today?..she's always out to congratulating the winners.

 

The Thai junior program is in full force and I expect a major influx (not that there hasn’t been already) of Thai golfers on the LPGA tour very soon.

[hankmoody]

I think the driver issue with Ariya must be psychological. With the technology and forgiveness--not to mention the ability to fine tune the club--the modern driver is one of the easiest clubs in the bag to hit. Certainly more so than a 2 iron (for most golfers) and I would assume for a professional making center contact. Maybe she needs to dial it down a bit. It was silly really for her to essentially neutralize her power advantage.

[DavePelz4]

That Woods guy won a major and rarely hit anything other than a 2 iron during the 4 rounds.

[Argonne69]

That Woods guy won a major and rarely hit anything other than a 2 iron during the 4 rounds.

 

He was also hitting fairways if I recall. Ariya only made one bad swing with the 3 wood, but she smothered several 2 irons.

 

Any pro is going to make a bad swing with any club. Ariya's 8 iron layup on 17 was as bad as I've seen.

[tbowles411]

Ariya put on a freaking clinic this weekend. I was stunned she fell apart only to win in a 4-hole playoff. I was screaming at the TV, "How do you blow a 7-shot lead?!" She looked scared and definitely rattled. I'm glad she pulled it out, but man! She made it interesting! I was like, put HJ Away! She hung tough, but finally she pulled it out.

[hebsan]

Who would’ve thunk a few years ago that the winner and the low amateur for the 2018 US Women’s Open would come from Thailand.

 

[4waymiss]

Who would’ve thunk a few years ago that the winner and the low amateur for the 2018 US Women’s Open would come from Thailand.

 

And with the next wunderkind , Atthaya Thitikul, waiting in the wings.

[4waymiss]

Was it Brad Faxon who said I don't know why you would clap for your opponent? Whoever it was, I don't have a lot of respect for that particular comment. Golf is a game of respect and I think it was quite classy to show appreciation of someone's Talent.

 

Azinger.

 

He is old school. He even stated he didn't really understand today's social media world, kinda chuckled. Paul is Paul.

 

Wow, never a doubt for Ariya huh......

 

I am very glad she held it together, great win for her, total class.

 

My guess is FOX had people monitoring social media during the broadcast. Once people started roasting Azinger, the producer made him aware of it. Prompting the reluctant "it is different world with social media today" comment.

 

Soon later his self-preservation mode kicked in, and made a 180 degree turn, saying it is "good sportsmanship"

 

[4waymiss]

I think the driver issue with Ariya must be psychological. With the technology and forgiveness--not to mention the ability to fine tune the club--the modern driver is one of the easiest clubs in the bag to hit. Certainly more so than a 2 iron (for most golfers) and I would assume for a professional making center contact. Maybe she needs to dial it down a bit. It was silly really for her to essentially neutralize her power advantage.

 

Ariya's mind is in a very dark place with the long clubs. The 72 hole of Kingsmill, again in a prevent defense mode, she couldn't even trust her 3 wood and had to hit 2 iron, even though she was hitting it way better than she was today in the back 9.

 

There's no fix from technology for that.

 

[KBong]

Ariya's mind is in a very dark place with the long clubs. The 72 hole of Kingsmill, again in a prevent defense mode, she couldn't even trust her 3 wood and had to hit 2 iron, even though she was hitting it way better than she was today in the back 9.

 

There's no fix from technology for that.

Yes, Ariya can be a bit of a mental midget.

In her post championship press conference....she was scared to hit a 3W on 10 and then on 11....didn't know what to hit/play.

 

Seems like Vision 54 & Gilchrist haven't been successful in fixing her brain.

[4waymiss]

I know one thing, if she happens to get driver figured out here at some point, the rest could be in some trouble. She has a good short game, and can putt.

 

 

She is currently #1 in total putting (LPGA version of), so it is not just the length. The last player I can think of with such rare combination in his prime, is someone who shares her Thai heritage.

 

 

 

 

[juliette91]

Watching Paul Azinger write her off shot after shot was fine pay back for his all or nothing no moderate toned approach to golf commentating. As for Ariya I can't say enough good things about the way she came back and won after bogeying the final two holes, watching her opponent drain a 30 foot putt to go one up with basically one to go---and then winning! Lesson for us all, don't you think?

[jmvargas]

i was so happy and relieved for Ariya when she won....good stuff!!

[theboypinoy]

Such a good finish to watch; glad to watch her grit out the W :)

[Itsjustagame]

Enjoyed the golf but it appeared there was only about 200 people watching it live. Not a great turnout at Shoal Creek?

[swoll cracker]

Congrats to Ariya for toughing out a playoff win after her game went a little sour on the back nine. To handle the disappointment and the pressure as she did was fantastic. Some absolutely incredible par saves!

 

The FOX broadcast was like nails on a chalkboard. hey have traditionally been pretty mediocre. Sunday was downright awful.

[cinnepa]

great victory being able to steady the ship when needed. FOX should be embarrased with the commentary and really should clean house. while its ok to not be a cheerleader 100% of the time...Zinger and crew crossed the line too many times. the players/viewers deserve better. buck is a clown too...just jumps on to whatever the group is chiming in on...instead of being the voice of reason. it took faxon to be the guy to pull them all in.

[Argonne69]

Buck did mention what many of us here have said numerous times, watching the women play is an excellent teaching tool for us mere mortals. Yes, it's cool to watch DJ pound a drive 300+, but most of us will learn more about tempo, swing mechanics, and course management from watching the women.

[cinnepa]

^^^ absolutely! so smooth.

[tbowles411]

Buck did mention what many of us here have said numerous times, watching the women play is an excellent teaching tool for us mere mortals. Yes, it's cool to watch DJ pound a drive 300+, but most of us will learn more about tempo, swing mechanics, and course management from watching the women.

He's absolutely right. No one wants to believe it though. I try to have similar tempo, but the gorilla keeps coming out. Whenever they take a fairway wood off the deck for example, I pay close attention. I would kill to be able to wield a fairway wood as well as these ladies do.

[juliette91]

Ariya's mind is in a very dark place with the long clubs. The 72 hole of Kingsmill, again in a prevent defense mode, she couldn't even trust her 3 wood and had to hit 2 iron, even though she was hitting it way better than she was today in the back 9.

 

There's no fix from technology for that.

Yes, Ariya can be a bit of a mental midget.

In her post championship press conference....she was scared to hit a 3W on 10 and then on 11....didn't know what to hit/play.

 

Seems like Vision 54 & Gilchrist haven't been successful in fixing her brain.

 

Holy cow, she is just 22 years old, isn't all this criticism of her as a "mental midget" etc. a bit over the top? Personally, I don't know too many "mental midgets" who come back from blowing a 7 stroke lead with 9 holes left, bogey the final two, watch their steely opponent drain a 30 foot putt on the first of two aggregate playoff holes, hit her next tee shot into the second cut----and then win the US Women's Open. Gimme some of that brain.

 

Sure she will grow and get better mentally and then watch out.

[legitimategolf]

Holy cow, she is just 22 years old, isn't all this criticism of her as a "mental midget" etc. a bit over the top? Personally, I don't know too many "mental midgets" who come back from blowing a 7 stroke lead with 9 holes left, bogey the final two, watch their steely opponent drain a 30 foot putt on the first of two aggregate playoff holes, hit her next tee shot into the second cut----and then win the US Women's Open. Gimme some of that brain.

 

Sure she will grow and get better mentally and then watch out.

 

Why are you even bothering replying to those two weak little losers. Like they have a clue.

[ThinkingPlus]

Buck did mention what many of us here have said numerous times, watching the women play is an excellent teaching tool for us mere mortals. Yes, it's cool to watch DJ pound a drive 300+, but most of us will learn more about tempo, swing mechanics, and course management from watching the women.

He's absolutely right. No one wants to believe it though. I try to have similar tempo, but the gorilla keeps coming out. Whenever they take a fairway wood off the deck for example, I pay close attention. I would kill to be able to wield a fairway wood as well as these ladies do.

Second hardest shot in golf IMO is a 3W off the deck (elevated long iron from a tight lie would be #2, but not many such beasts in the modern bags these days) where you have to carry hazards. Especially difficult for those short in stature. You have to be both very smooth and generate significant clubhead speed to be effective and consistent. Agree it is the most impressive shot the lady pros hit regularly.

[JellyPig]

Yes, Ariya can be a bit of a mental midget.

In her post championship press conference....she was scared to hit a 3W on 10 and then on 11....didn't know what to hit/play.

 

Seems like Vision 54 & Gilchrist haven't been successful in fixing her brain.

 

A professional who just won a major is a "mental midget"? Yikes.

[North Texas]

Yes, Ariya can be a bit of a mental midget.

In her post championship press conference....she was scared to hit a 3W on 10 and then on 11....didn't know what to hit/play.

 

Seems like Vision 54 & Gilchrist haven't been successful in fixing her brain.

 

A professional who just won a major is a "mental midget"? Yikes.

 

In fairness to KBong, he did not say that she is a mental midget. Read what he said really close and don't add anything to it.

 

And, yea, KBong is actually right. 22 year olds can be "mental midgets".

[Argonne69]

Carlota had a solid week, but her history has been one of significant underachievement. I never felt she could catch Ariya. She did manage to birdie all four par 5's yesterday, which was an impressive feat.

 

I believe it was Saturday, and I was watching Michelle's swing and thinking, "Gosh. I can't recall seeing her swing this good". A little later the broadcast team presents a video comparison of her current swing vs. last year's swing, and it definitely has changed for the better.

 

Danielle moved up three spots on the Rolex rankings, and is now within 2 spots of Michelle. It'll be interesting to see if she can catch her, and secure the final spot on the US International Crown team.

 

Inbee sure had a very un-Inbee like final round with four bogeys and one birdie. She seemed a bit perplexed by the green speeds.

 

Angela was on a serious charge on the front nine yesterday with 4 birdies in 6 holes. Alas, she gave back the four strokes on the tough back nine.

 

Solid week for Charley, Megan, and Nelly. Each was in the select group of 16 players that shot par or better.

 

I was expecting a little more from Emma Talley, given that she is quite familiar with Shoal Creek.

 

Ariya only averaged 236.6 yards off the tee, slightly more than Hyo Joo for the week.

 

Overall I thought it was an excellent tournament. The course played like an Open course, with punishing rough, and tough greens. Had it been drier, and the greens firmer, I could have seen the scores being 5 to 10 shots worse.