2019 LPGA Season Odds and Ends

[Argonne69]

> @ChronicSlicer said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > No trouble for Nelly at the Lacoste, as she ran away with an eight shot victory over Celine, and ten shots over T3.

> >

>

> No trouble indeed lol. This could have been an eye opener to the LET girls in terms of just how tough the LPGA is on a weekly basis.

 

It's no surprise that the entire European Solheim Cup team are LPGA regulars.

 

[ChronicSlicer]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @ChronicSlicer said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > No trouble for Nelly at the Lacoste, as she ran away with an eight shot victory over Celine, and ten shots over T3.

> > >

> >

> > No trouble indeed lol. This could have been an eye opener to the LET girls in terms of just how tough the LPGA is on a weekly basis.

>

> It's no surprise that the entire European Solheim Cup team are LPGA regulars.

>

 

Exactly.

[Argonne69]


 

[18majors]

Nelly Korda earned 14 Rolex points for her LET win; she moved one spot higher to world No. 9.

One step at a time; she’ll get there.

[AWinfortheAges]

Will there be any strokes based system for the CME Group Tour Championship? Or is everyone staring at even?

[18majors]

> @AWinfortheAges said:

> Will there be any strokes based system for the CME Group Tour Championship? Or is everyone staring at even?

 

They’re ladies; they start even.

[fredogolfer]

Charley Hull got married over the weekend. Georgia Hall posted something about being honored to be at the Smith’s wedding and I was like “I wonder who they are?” Lol. I wonder if her husband knows what she does for a living?

[18majors]

She continues to impress

 

Atthaya Thitikul ?? shot an amazing 2nd round 63 (-9) to lead the world junior girl’s championship in Canada. She leads @han_darling and @alessianobilio by 3 shots.

 

[https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976](https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976 "https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976")

 

 

 

[Newinup]

> @18majors said:

> She continues to impress

>

> Atthaya Thitikul ?? shot an amazing 2nd round 63 (-9) to lead the world junior girl’s championship in Canada. She leads @han_darling and @alessianobilio by 3 shots.

>

> [https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976](https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976 "https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976")

>

>

>

 

Jen (Thitikul's nickname) is hard NOT to root for. A great golfer with matching great attitude to boot! :) The future of Thai golf -- and another one to watch in the next few years for sure. She's got the pro game already in my view. Always been a nemesis (in a good way) of Bianca's and a few others in the Asian Amateurs/Southeast Asian Games/Queen Sirikit Cups etc etc

[Golf Dino]

> @Newinup said:

> > @18majors said:

> > She continues to impress

> >

> > Atthaya Thitikul ?? shot an amazing 2nd round 63 (-9) to lead the world junior girl’s championship in Canada. She leads @han_darling and @alessianobilio by 3 shots.

> >

> > [https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976](https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976 "https://twitter.com/Golfistaclub/status/1176933668931198976")

> >

> >

> >

>

> Jen (Thitikul's nickname) is hard NOT to root for. A great golfer with matching great attitude to boot! :) The future of Thai golf -- and another one to watch in the next few years for sure. She's got the pro game already in my view. Always been a nemesis (in a good way) of Bianca's and a few others in the Asian Amateurs/Southeast Asian Games/Queen Sirikit Cups etc etc

 

___________

I'm looking forward to seeing how another Thai player makes out in 2020 ... namely being Patty Tavatanakit. She's been the class of the Symetra Tour this year!

[18majors]

Hana Financial Group had a grand plan when they terminated LPGA's KEB Hana Bank Championship last year.

They aim to create a WGC like women's golf event centered in Korea but aligning with all major women's golf bodies.

This year's Hana Financial Championship October 3-6, scheduled the same time as LPGA's Volunteer of America Classic, will feature six world top-50 invited players including Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee.

Both tournaments will offer about the same purse of $1.3 million.

In my opinion, they need to raise the purse to at least $6.0 million in future years to make a difference.

 


 

[mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029](http://mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029 "mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029")

 

 

 

[Titleist_PT23]

> @18majors said:

> Hana Financial Group had a grand plan when they terminated LPGA's KEB Hana Bank Championship last year.

> They aim to create a WGC like women's golf event centered in Korea but aligning with all major women's golf bodies.

> This year's Hana Financial Championship October 3-6, scheduled the same time as LPGA's Volunteer of America Classic, will feature six world top-50 invited players including Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee.

> Both tournaments will offer about the same purse of $1.3 million.

> In my opinion, they need to raise the purse to at least $6.0 million in future years to make a difference.

I thought the turn-out would be better. The # of players in TX is actually quite high (looks like In Gee is playing there vs. the Japan Women's Open). Money is money and I'm sure people would show up if you crank the purse up a lot. But I also wonder if the fact Hana has cut ties with a lot of these players along the way is impacting things. No one is too eager to do them any favors. I was actually a bit disappointed some of the Koreans didn't play last year's tournament after the UL Int'l Crown. It seems like it would be a good chance for the Korean fans to see as many of their players in action at the same time. Instead, my sense was some didn't want to play in Hana's tournament, even though it was the one LPGA event in their home country. Of course, the players are free to decide as they wish.

[Argonne69]

I think a number of players are on the bubble to get into the Asian swing and the CME.

[18majors]

> @Argonne69 said:

> I think a number of players are on the bubble to get into the Asian swing and the CME.

 

Unfortunately, In Gee is on the outside looking in for CME at this point.

In Gee is too young to be written off; but it's been painful to watch what's transpired in both 2018 and 2019.

[18majors]

> @agolf1 said:

> > @18majors said:

> > Hana Financial Group had a grand plan when they terminated LPGA's KEB Hana Bank Championship last year.

> > They aim to create a WGC like women's golf event centered in Korea but aligning with all major women's golf bodies.

> > This year's Hana Financial Championship October 3-6, scheduled the same time as LPGA's Volunteer of America Classic, will feature six world top-50 invited players including Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee.

> > Both tournaments will offer about the same purse of $1.3 million.

> > In my opinion, they need to raise the purse to at least $6.0 million in future years to make a difference.

> I thought the turn-out would be better. The # of players in TX is actually quite high (looks like In Gee is playing there vs. the Japan Women's Open). Money is money and I'm sure people would show up if you crank the purse up a lot. But I also wonder if the fact Hana has cut ties with a lot of these players along the way is impacting things. No one is too eager to do them any favors. I was actually a bit disappointed some of the Koreans didn't play last year's tournament after the UL Int'l Crown. It seems like it would be a good chance for the Korean fans to see as many of their players in action at the same time. Instead, my sense was some didn't want to play in Hana's tournament, even though it was the one LPGA event in their home country. Of course, the players are free to decide as they wish.

 

So Yeon and In Kyung skipped KEB Hana Bank LPGA Championship stuck out like a sole thumb last year.

WGC aimed to be a world tour, in the end it's PGA and the European Tours. But it helped to elevate the profiles of many a European Tour players.

WGC is incorporated as an official PGA tour event; Hana probably will go that way.

If successful; Hana will help to elevate the status of KLPGA tour players.

 

[Titleist_PT23]

> @18majors said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > I think a number of players are on the bubble to get into the Asian swing and the CME.

>

> Unfortunately, In Gee is on the outside looking in for CME at this point.

> In Gee is too young to be written off; but it's been painful to watch what's transpired in both 2018 and 2019.

What is the exact cutoff point for Asia and CME? They seem to be very close but not exactly the same (CME = 60? Not sure on the other one).

[18majors]

> @agolf1 said:

> > @18majors said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > I think a number of players are on the bubble to get into the Asian swing and the CME.

> >

> > Unfortunately, In Gee is on the outside looking in for CME at this point.

> > In Gee is too young to be written off; but it's been painful to watch what's transpired in both 2018 and 2019.

> What is the exact cutoff point for Asia and CME? They seem to be very close but not exactly the same (CME = 60? Not sure on the other one).

 

The cutoff of Asian swing is based on official money; it varies between top 55 to top 80 or so.

CME is based on Race to CME Globe ranking.

[Titleist_PT23]

> @18majors said:

> > @agolf1 said:

> > > @18majors said:

> > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > I think a number of players are on the bubble to get into the Asian swing and the CME.

> > >

> > > Unfortunately, In Gee is on the outside looking in for CME at this point.

> > > In Gee is too young to be written off; but it's been painful to watch what's transpired in both 2018 and 2019.

> > What is the exact cutoff point for Asia and CME? They seem to be very close but not exactly the same (CME = 60? Not sure on the other one).

>

> The cutoff of Asian swing is based on official money; it varies between top 55 to top 80 or so.

> CME is based on Race to CME Globe ranking.

Sorry, I am failing my "official LPGA fan" certification test. The CME being based on the CME Globe ranking is kind of obvious I guess.

 

Why does the Asian swing cut-off vary so much? It is an absolute dollar threshold vs. just saying Top X on Money List can play?

[18majors]

> @agolf1 said:

> > @18majors said:

> > > @agolf1 said:

> > > > @18majors said:

> > > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > > I think a number of players are on the bubble to get into the Asian swing and the CME.

> > > >

> > > > Unfortunately, In Gee is on the outside looking in for CME at this point.

> > > > In Gee is too young to be written off; but it's been painful to watch what's transpired in both 2018 and 2019.

> > > What is the exact cutoff point for Asia and CME? They seem to be very close but not exactly the same (CME = 60? Not sure on the other one).

> >

> > The cutoff of Asian swing is based on official money; it varies between top 55 to top 80 or so.

> > CME is based on Race to CME Globe ranking.

> Sorry, I am failing my "official LPGA fan" certification test. The CME being based on the CME Globe ranking is kind of obvious I guess.

>

> Why does the Asian swing cut-off vary so much? It is an absolute dollar threshold vs. just saying Top X on Money List can play?

 

There isn’t any absolute dollars.

The Asian swings are no-cut events that have field sizes of around 78. The host countries have quotas reserved for home players; effectively reducing LPGA fields to anywhere from 43 to around 60.

Therefore, the cutoff depends on how many top players have signed up.

 

 

 

[18majors]

Top Ten on Instagram

 

Michelle Wie 561,000

Lexi Thompson 443,000

Muni He 249,000

Natalie Gulbis 189,000

Paula Creamer 181,000

Cheyenne Woods 143,000

Lydia Ko 137,000

Jessica Korda 131,000

Danielle Kang 130,000

Nelly Korda 106,000

 

LPGA has been gaining popularity, three years ago Michelle Wie topped out at 200,000.

Eight out of ten are Americans; Muni and Lydia are lone exceptions.

Of the non-LPGA players, Hinako Shibuno tops at 253,000.

 

By comparison to other sports:

Christiano Ronaldo 185,000,000

Serena Williams 11,700,000

Rafael Nadal 8,000,000

Tiger Woods 2,000,000

 

 

[18majors]

Bo Mee Lee is getting married

 


[golfhankook.hankooki.com/01_news/NewsView.php?category=4&gsno=10233738](http://golfhankook.hankooki.com/01_news/NewsView.php?category=4&gsno=10233738 "golfhankook.hankooki.com/01_news/NewsView.php?category=4&gsno=10233738")

[18majors]

Despite horrible putting; teen age rookie A Yean Cho (19) edged out Hye Jin Choi and A Lim Kim in playoff to earn her 2nd KLPGA tour win. A Yean will jump to No. 35 in world ranking tomorrow.

A Yean, more than Hye Jin, could be a future LPGA star.

 


[https://sports.v.daum.net/v/20190929175811008](https://sports.v.daum.net/v/20190929175811008 "https://sports.v.daum.net/v/20190929175811008")

[ChronicSlicer]

Congrats to Carlota for the win at the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open, she won by 1 over Esther Henseleit ( who just turned pro this year and is leading the LET for the Order of Merit, she has had an impressive year despite not winning.)

 

 

[18majors]

> @18majors said:

> Hana Financial Group had a grand plan when they terminated LPGA's KEB Hana Bank Championship last year.

> They aim to create a WGC like women's golf event centered in Korea but aligning with all major women's golf bodies.

> This year's Hana Financial Championship October 3-6, scheduled the same time as LPGA's Volunteer of America Classic, will feature six world top-50 invited players including Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee.

> Both tournaments will offer about the same purse of $1.3 million.

> In my opinion, they need to raise the purse to at least $6.0 million in future years to make a difference.

>

> 

>

> [mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029](http://mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029 "mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029")

>

>

>

 

True to its WGC intention, the tournament has invited Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, Yuka Saso of Philippines, Ting Hsuan Huang of Taiwan and Xiang Sui of China.

This is the first time a tournament packed with established stars Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee with young guns Atthaya, Yuka and Yealimi.

Having been traveling in Asia, I'll be able to watch it during daytime rather than the wee hours of night in the US.

As an aside; good news for Atthaya and Yuka that they're on Hana's radar for future endorsements.

 

[kebhanabankgolf.com/pageLink/player_info01.do](http://www.kebhanabankgolf.com/pageLink/player_info01.do "kebhanabankgolf.com/pageLink/player_info01.do")

 

 

[18majors]

> @18majors said:

> > @18majors said:

> > Hana Financial Group had a grand plan when they terminated LPGA's KEB Hana Bank Championship last year.

> > They aim to create a WGC like women's golf event centered in Korea but aligning with all major women's golf bodies.

> > This year's Hana Financial Championship October 3-6, scheduled the same time as LPGA's Volunteer of America Classic, will feature six world top-50 invited players including Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee.

> > Both tournaments will offer about the same purse of $1.3 million.

> > In my opinion, they need to raise the purse to at least $6.0 million in future years to make a difference.

> >

> > 

> >

> > [mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029](http://mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029 "mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=3946029")

> >

> >

> >

>

> True to its WGC intention, the tournament has invited Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, Yuka Saso of Philippines, Ting Hsuan Huang of Taiwan and Xiang Sui of China.

> This is the first time a tournament packed with established stars Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee with young guns Atthaya, Yuka and Yealimi.

> Having been traveling in Asia, I'll be able to watch it during daytime rather than the wee hours of night in the US.

> As an aside; good news for Atthaya and Yuka that they're on Hana's radar for future endorsements.

>

> [kebhanabankgolf.com/pageLink/player_info01.do](http://www.kebhanabankgolf.com/pageLink/player_info01.do "kebhanabankgolf.com/pageLink/player_info01.do")

>

>

 

Who'll excel!

 

Hee Jeong Lim, Yealimi Noh, Jin Young Ko, Minjee Lee, Xiang Sui, Yuka Saso


 

[18majors]

The Rolex World Ranking has confirmed the impression; it's Jin Young Ko and everyone else.

Jin Young leads No. 2 Sung Hyun by 2.51 points; more than the difference between Sung Hyun and No. 10 Ariya.

Also, a win in Asia will most likely catapult Nelly over Lexi as No. 1 American.

 

[Stooch]

Weird lucky6 is playing in Texas this week but skipped the Indy event. Long way to travel for a 1.3 million dollar purse.

 

[ChronicSlicer]

> @Stooch said:

> Weird lucky6 is playing in Texas this week but skipped the Indy event. Long way to travel for a 1.3 million dollar purse.

>

 

I doubt she truly needs the $$. Plus who wouldn't want to visit the state where Dr Pepper was invented.

[Titleist_PT23]

> @18majors said:

> The Rolex World Ranking has confirmed the impression; it's Jin Young Ko and everyone else.

> Jin Young leads No. 2 Sung Hyun by 2.51 points; more than the difference between Sung Hyun and No. 10 Ariya.

Do you happen to know what the rankings would look like if a) you only include the past months (15?) that will still be included in the 2020 Olympic Qualifying and b) re-weight the results as they would be on 29 June 2020 (believe the last year counts more)? There's still a lot of golf to be played but wondering how this looks for the Korean team.

 

Also, it's a bit of an odd outcome but as of today a) Rankings #13-#15 don't get to play (Koreans SYK, HJK, SYR), and b) Danielle Kang (#16) and Lizette Salas (#17) would miss out due to the USA holding down two spots in the Top 15.

[Titleist_PT23]

> @Stooch said:

> Weird lucky6 is playing in Texas this week but skipped the Indy event. Long way to travel for a 1.3 million dollar purse.

I saw this too, and thought it was very strange. It's almost like her and Alison Lee's calendars synced to the wrong phone.