2019 AIG Women's British Open Aug 1 - 4

[Argonne69]

> @agolf1 said:

> > @Stooch said:

> > Lucky had to be kicking hersrlf after the 11th and 12th, she had a great chance up til then.

> I was kind of pulling for Lucky6 when the board was 4 people at -13 and she was at -12. Mainly, I thought it would be cool to have her and Jin Young Ko taking two each (with Hanah Green stuck in between at the KPMG PGA). I don't really have a preference between these two, so it was more just keeping things balanced (and the next Korean stars having arrived if there was any doubt) vs. just the Jin Young Ko show taking off. In the end, Lucky6 would have needed to shoot a 30 or 31 coming in to have a chance so it probably wasn't going to happen either way.

 

The wind was knocked out of 6ix's sails when she put her drive into the PA on the par 4 12th. One can't do that with an iron in hand.

[Argonne69]

Hinako played the back nine for the week at 18 under, and didn't have a bogey on the 36 holes all week. Crazy.

 

Ashleigh's 5th was her first top 10 this season, and only the 5th in her 12 seasons on tour. It was her best finish by far in a major. She finished 11T at the Pure Silk in May.

[the bishop]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @agolf1 said:

> > > @Stooch said:

> > > Lucky had to be kicking hersrlf after the 11th and 12th, she had a great chance up til then.

> > I was kind of pulling for Lucky6 when the board was 4 people at -13 and she was at -12. Mainly, I thought it would be cool to have her and Jin Young Ko taking two each (with Hanah Green stuck in between at the KPMG PGA). I don't really have a preference between these two, so it was more just keeping things balanced (and the next Korean stars having arrived if there was any doubt) vs. just the Jin Young Ko show taking off. In the end, Lucky6 would have needed to shoot a 30 or 31 coming in to have a chance so it probably wasn't going to happen either way.

>

> The wind was knocked out of 6ix's sails when she put her drive into the PA on the par 4 12th. **One can't do that with an iron in hand**.

 

Well you _can_ do that, but I hear it knocks the wind out of your sails.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

> @tbowles411 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Heartbreaker for Lizette. For a player who is so prone to fading on Sunday, she play superbly. I was very impressed with her driving. Jin Young is not a short knocker, but Lizette was past her most of the day. 'Can't ask for much more than seven under, but oh that missed birdie on 18 was costly. 'Glad to see her have a fine week.

> >

> You could tell, she wanted it BAD. I've never seen her play as well as she did yesterday.

>

 

Salas's iron play in particular was fantastic, leading to plenty of birdie chances which she almost always converted. It was just that one at the last, which was actually one of her shorter birdie chances, that eluded her.

I was glad to see Shibuno win, but I was really impressed by Salas's play. I don't have much (any) chance to watch the LPGA Tour here, so I don't know much about her normal game, but that was a heck of a charge.

[Argonne69]

Sadly, the English players really stunk it up on Sunday. I think there was little chance of them grabbing the trophy, but a good showing would have been nice for the home crowd. Georgia was the best of the bunch at +1. Charley (+4) and Bronte (+6) have had better days. 'A little too much pressure to play well.

[18majors]

Hinako Shibuno; the darling of Japan and women's golf will turn 21 on November 15.

What'd Lydia Ko done by 21; 14 LPGA wins including 2 majors and 4 LET wins.

[OldTomMorris]

> @No_Catchy_Nickname said:

> > @tbowles411 said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Heartbreaker for Lizette. For a player who is so prone to fading on Sunday, she play superbly. I was very impressed with her driving. Jin Young is not a short knocker, but Lizette was past her most of the day. 'Can't ask for much more than seven under, but oh that missed birdie on 18 was costly. 'Glad to see her have a fine week.

> > >

> > You could tell, she wanted it BAD. I've never seen her play as well as she did yesterday.

> >

>

> Salas's iron play in particular was fantastic, leading to plenty of birdie chances which she almost always converted. **It was just that one at the last, which was actually one of her shorter birdie chances, that eluded her.**

> I was glad to see Shibuno win, but I was really impressed by Salas's play. I don't have much (any) chance to watch the LPGA Tour here, so I don't know much about her normal game, but that was a heck of a charge.

 

I agree she played great and I was impressed. That putt on 18 was the most important of the day and she didn't make it, looked inside 5 feet to me.

[Argonne69]

> @OldTomMorris said:

> > @No_Catchy_Nickname said:

> > > @tbowles411 said:

> > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > Heartbreaker for Lizette. For a player who is so prone to fading on Sunday, she play superbly. I was very impressed with her driving. Jin Young is not a short knocker, but Lizette was past her most of the day. 'Can't ask for much more than seven under, but oh that missed birdie on 18 was costly. 'Glad to see her have a fine week.

> > > >

> > > You could tell, she wanted it BAD. I've never seen her play as well as she did yesterday.

> > >

> >

> > Salas's iron play in particular was fantastic, leading to plenty of birdie chances which she almost always converted. **It was just that one at the last, which was actually one of her shorter birdie chances, that eluded her.**

> > I was glad to see Shibuno win, but I was really impressed by Salas's play. I don't have much (any) chance to watch the LPGA Tour here, so I don't know much about her normal game, but that was a heck of a charge.

>

> I agree she played great and I was impressed. That putt on 18 was the most important of the day and she didn't make it, looked inside 5 feet to me.

 

She blocked it right. As Johnny Miller pointed out hundreds of times, under pressure a player will generally miss right.

 

[18majors]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @OldTomMorris said:

> > > @No_Catchy_Nickname said:

> > > > @tbowles411 said:

> > > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > > Heartbreaker for Lizette. For a player who is so prone to fading on Sunday, she play superbly. I was very impressed with her driving. Jin Young is not a short knocker, but Lizette was past her most of the day. 'Can't ask for much more than seven under, but oh that missed birdie on 18 was costly. 'Glad to see her have a fine week.

> > > > >

> > > > You could tell, she wanted it BAD. I've never seen her play as well as she did yesterday.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Salas's iron play in particular was fantastic, leading to plenty of birdie chances which she almost always converted. **It was just that one at the last, which was actually one of her shorter birdie chances, that eluded her.**

> > > I was glad to see Shibuno win, but I was really impressed by Salas's play. I don't have much (any) chance to watch the LPGA Tour here, so I don't know much about her normal game, but that was a heck of a charge.

> >

> > I agree she played great and I was impressed. That putt on 18 was the most important of the day and she didn't make it, looked inside 5 feet to me.

>

> She blocked it right. As Johnny Miller pointed out hundreds of times, under pressure a player will generally miss right.

>

 

There's no way she missed that putt had Jin Young made hers.

Instead of pressure; may be she's a bit cavalier.

[18majors]

Nelly Korda!! 4 birdies in a row, what a front 9! #AIGWBO

 

[https://twitter.com/AIGWBO/status/1158005118198902784](https://twitter.com/AIGWBO/status/1158005118198902784 "https://twitter.com/AIGWBO/status/1158005118198902784")

[Argonne69]

> @Stooch said:

> Ariya had another solid event but I think she needs a new transmission, cause she has no 5th gear anymore.

 

'Can't figure her out this season. She's currently ranked 17th in birdie average at 3.87. That's 0.5 birdies fewer than JYK. In 18 events, she's only shot 10 final rounds under par. She's simply not getting it done on Sundays.

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

> @18majors said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > > @OldTomMorris said:

> > > > @No_Catchy_Nickname said:

> > > > > @tbowles411 said:

> > > > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > > > Heartbreaker for Lizette. For a player who is so prone to fading on Sunday, she play superbly. I was very impressed with her driving. Jin Young is not a short knocker, but Lizette was past her most of the day. 'Can't ask for much more than seven under, but oh that missed birdie on 18 was costly. 'Glad to see her have a fine week.

> > > > > >

> > > > > You could tell, she wanted it BAD. I've never seen her play as well as she did yesterday.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > Salas's iron play in particular was fantastic, leading to plenty of birdie chances which she almost always converted. **It was just that one at the last, which was actually one of her shorter birdie chances, that eluded her.**

> > > > I was glad to see Shibuno win, but I was really impressed by Salas's play. I don't have much (any) chance to watch the LPGA Tour here, so I don't know much about her normal game, but that was a heck of a charge.

> > >

> > > I agree she played great and I was impressed. That putt on 18 was the most important of the day and she didn't make it, looked inside 5 feet to me.

> >

> > She blocked it right. As Johnny Miller pointed out hundreds of times, under pressure a player will generally miss right.

> >

>

> There's no way she missed that putt had Jin Young made hers.

> Instead of pressure; may be she's a bit cavalier.

 

She had to have known that she was tied with Hinako, and that a birdie would likely win it.

[handicap122003]

The winner is an awesome combination of distance and fun. Love it.

[Rob McHugh]

This event typified why I watch the womens' golf as much as the mens and probably enjoy it more. They hit comparable distances to me (my Sunday best I hasten to add - old guy here) and their short game and putting in general is superior to the men IMHO and I can learn a lot.

This was just a great event for the entire four days and I was so pleased that Shibuno came out on top, what a delightful young woman she is. Felt sad for Salas and in fact, any of the top 5 deserved the win with the quality of play in general, but it was destined to be a Cinderella story. :-)

 

Rob

 

[ChronicSlicer]

I'm very open about disliking a player to win a major as their first LPGA tour win, but after watching Shibuno's laid back happy go lucky attitude I let out a big woo hoo after that rocket of a putt dropped. As I said yesterday, she has the attitude we could all learn something from, she has fun out there. Congrats again to her.

[Awsi Dooger]

It seemed destined all day that Salas would narrowly fall short. I resigned myself to that and just watched how it would unfold that way.

 

I know these things aren't technically linked but it sure seems that way. Tuition karma or whatever reason nothing is going to fall correctly for a USC team or athlete right now. Examples all over the place, including the water polo loss to Stanford in the final as #1 seed.

 

That will be Salas' only opportunity. That's what made it sting. Rankin was a tad harsh in labeling a Solheim Cup member as a journeyman player, but in terms of winning a major it was accurate. Players from that tier virtually never win those events.

 

All day I was thinking this is Lizette's opportunity to pull a Mo Martin. But when that approach shot on 18 was just outside Martin's eagle range from 2014, I knew darn well it was missable. I fully expected a miss.

 

I have to say that was the longest gap I have ever seen between a culminating shot on 18, and the other player becoming aware of it on the putting green or practice range. Normally it is instant. This time the lag was several minutes. Somehow Salas either didn't hear that roar, or didn't associate it with the winning birdie. You could tell she was checking her phone for a scoring update when the caddie put his arm around her and provided the devastating news. The words from Salas' lips were clear: "She did?"

 

Then a mumble in disgust, no doubt partially at herself.

 

Shibuno is much taller than the typical Japanese female. That made her eligible for this type of breakthrough. She is 5 foot 5, in contrast to most of the Japanese players who have been out there previously, like pop gun Miyazato at 5-1. I've mentioned many times that South Korean females are unusually tall by Asian standards, which allows so many of their golfers to fall into the ideal framework of wiry power but not too far from your work.

 

BTW, it was good to see that Charlie Hull has lost considerable weight recently and now is easily distinguished from Laura Davies...other than wardrobe.

[Awsi Dooger]

> @ChronicSlicer said:

> I'm very open about disliking a player to win a major as their first LPGA tour win, but after watching Shibuno's laid back happy go lucky attitude I let out a big woo hoo after that rocket of a putt dropped. As I said yesterday, she has the attitude we could all learn something from, she has fun out there. Congrats again to her.

 

Rocket of a putt is a great description. I think that is the most authoritative putt I have ever seen to win a major

[Divot License]

> @"Awsi Dooger" said:

> That will be Salas' only opportunity. That's what made it sting. Rankin was a tad harsh in labeling a Solheim Cup member as a journeyman player, but in terms of winning a major it was accurate. Players from that tier virtually never win those events.

 

I think it's harsh to say it will be Salas' only opportunity, she's been there or there abouts almost all season. Yes she needs to close out the deal on Sunday but maybe that last round 65 will give her the confidence to know she's got the low Sunday round in her.

 

 

[Fredd]

> @"Awsi Dooger" said:

> > @ChronicSlicer said:

 

> Rocket of a putt is a great description. I think that is the most authoritative putt I have ever seen to win a major

 

Rocket fired without a countdown. Took literaly no time over that putt. Really fun to watch.

[Argonne69]


 

[poulters_barber]

I was rooting for Hinako when I saw her applaud her playing partner on the first tee.

[hebsan]

> @Argonne69 said:

> 

>

 

This picture epitomizes her entire weekend. What a fantastic win!

[Argonne69]

Hinako jumped 32 spots in the World rankings to 14th.

 

[duffer987]

Great pic! Team Hinako are awesome!

Surely should be everyone's "second team" from now on :-)

[Enduro59]

> @Jedaigeki said:

> > @"Awsi Dooger" said:

> > That will be Salas' only opportunity. That's what made it sting. Rankin was a tad harsh in labeling a Solheim Cup member as a journeyman player, but in terms of winning a major it was accurate. Players from that tier virtually never win those events.

>

> I think it's harsh to say it will be Salas' only opportunity, she's been there or there abouts almost all season. Yes she needs to close out the deal on Sunday but maybe that last round 65 will give her the confidence to know she's got the low Sunday round in her.

>

>

 

Certainly in golf and especially women's golf you just never say never and all predictions/projections are taken with an (except in rare instances). However in this case I don't think Awsi is being harsh and I agree with him. She will probably never be in serious contention again for a regular tournament let alone a major. She has been there or thereabouts this season only when comparing her to other journeyman as Judy said, not the elites.

[Argonne69]

I wouldn't rule her out in a regular event. There are plenty of stops where over half of the top players sit out. If a lower ranked player can have a special week, I think she's capable of the same.

 

[18majors]

A Morning Drive video about 2019 major season:

 

[https://golfchannelvod-amd.akamaized.net/NBCU_Sports_Group_-_GolfChannel/830/223/080619_MD_LPGA1565098674895_2200k.mp4](https://golfchannelvod-amd.akamaized.net/NBCU_Sports_Group_-_GolfChannel/830/223/080619_MD_LPGA1565098674895_2200k.mp4 "https://golfchannelvod-amd.akamaized.net/NBCU_Sports_Group_-_GolfChannel/830/223/080619_MD_LPGA1565098674895_2200k.mp4")

[18majors]

Good news for women's golf:

 

[https://golfweek.com/2019/08/06/golf-womens-british-open-ratings-up-hinako-shibuno/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-latest-news](https://golfweek.com/2019/08/06/golf-womens-british-open-ratings-up-hinako-shibuno/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-latest-news "https://golfweek.com/2019/08/06/golf-womens-british-open-ratings-up-hinako-shibuno/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=home-latest-news")

"Great news for the thrilling AIG Women’s British Open Sunday broadcast on NBC: a 1.0 rating despite the midday slot on the East coast (11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET).

The 1.67 million average audience was the highest rated LPGA telecast since the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open won by Michelle Wie at Pinehurst, according to Golf Channel PR."

[Raving Shanker]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Yeah, Hinako's decision to go for the green on the driveable par 4 12th was borderline insane. She was a few inches away from throwing it all away.

>

> Gotta ask, why did Jin Young hit 3 wood on the 18th? I know there's a bunker on the left that comes into play, but she knows she needs birdie. Lizette hit first, and piped one down the middle. She's going to make par at worst. Jin Young wound up hitting a 5 iron, and came up short of the top tier.

I agree, but being in a divot was just plain unlucky.

[ted230]

I was rooting for Shibuno but Salas’ putt on 18 was tough to watch. In her only win she shot 71 in final round and won by 4. Tough way to win, may never happen again but she’ll be back.