2020 Marathon Classic Aug 06 - 09

[Titleist_PT23]

Good round by Lydia. Would be curious on exactly how it went. Seems like she missed a lot of fairways (1 foot off the fairway?) but she must have been able to still get at the pins (25 putts).

She does seem to be swinging a bit faster/harder and will be interesting to see how she does off the tee over an extended period. I feel like the she's gained distance story has been like Phil Mickelson talking about how he's driving it better than ever in the mid-2010s. Starts off OK and by season end he's close to 200th in accuracy off the tee...

Hope she can play well though. Definitely good for the tour/game.

Muni still struggling. It's early on the restart but how she does at this level is still TBD...

[18majors]

 

One highlight was Lydia hit the pin from the rough on Hole #5, she had a tap-in birdie. The ball was 2 yards inside the rough.

There're many reasons Lydia will have better outcome than Phil Mickelson.

To start, she's less than half of Phil's age.

 

[Titleist_PT23]

It's definitely possible for her. She was ~250 off the tee 4-6 years ago. There are many players that added ~10 yards over that time period (SYR for example, she was never a big hitter).

If I recall correctly, this course also has a lot of fairly large, relatively flat and relatively perfect circle shaped greens? I.e. coming in from the light rough probably isn't that big of an impediment vs. what it can be some weeks? Still need to hit good shots and make putts so she played well.

[18majors]

 

Yes, the rough isn't that penal; unlike last week at Inverness Club.

I watched Lydia, her swing is better and I believe it'll hold together.

It would be fun if Lydia and Minjee fight over titles often; they're two of the best human being.

[PepsiDuck]

It looks like Christina Kim lost a TON of weight...

[Argonne69]

She's lost 60 lbs so far.

 

[Tailgater]

Danielle Kang is playing out of her mind right now. She does everything very well.

Strong round by Lydia. I didn’t see that coming.

Lexi needs to put together a couple of below par rounds.

Are Stacy Lewis, Gerina Piller, and Kristie Kerr about done?

[MagicClassic407]

Was walking scorer for Y. Noh's group yesterday. She def has a few things to iron out, wears it on her sleeve. Longest drive was 265 for her. Had the pleasure of playing local pickelball last night w/Amy Olson as my partner! Great time w/her and her family. Her Mom Twila is an awesome player. Ally McDonald playing, also. Looking forward to Gerina's group this afternoon. Hubby scoring for Lincicome's group. Beautiful here in Toledo!

[18majors]

It's only fitting that during the US Women's Amateur week, that Kristin Gillman and Danielle Kang are tied for the lead.

Both are the only active LPGA players who've won US Women's Amateur twice.

LPGA @LPGA

5 players are currently tied for the lead in Ohio @minjeegolf -7@kristengillman -7@megan_khang1023 -7@daniellekang -7

Lydia Ko -7

 

[Newinup]

:) back to back eagles on holes 17 and 18th!!! (hoping the scoreboard isn't wrong!)

EDIT: unfortunately, didn't quite capitalize today -- too many bogeys :( (i guess she needs to learn when to be less aggressive -- oh well all in due time)

[8602081]

Didn't know Natalie Gulbis is still playing in LPGA..

 

[Argonne69]

Lol. Did I go back in time to 2015? Lydia is playing like Lydia of old. New coach. New (old) caddie. Same distance off the tee.

 

[MagicClassic407]

Well, I didn't end up with Gerina's group today due to back-ups, etc., upon arriving at the course. Both husband and I got reassigned, me with Natalie Gulbis. Husband started to pout since he's a big Nats fan (what guy isn't?). I was happy to trade for the group that included Matilda Castren as she is my countrywoman from Finland and a rookie on tour. She carded a -5 round (could have been 2-3 strokes better easily) and is now T12 heading into the weekend. SISU, Matilda! It's my day off tomorrow, more score keeping duties come Sunday, hopefully w/o thunderstorms. Looks like an awesome leaderboard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Titleist_PT23]

@Argonne69 Hope you put the life saving on whatever odds Lydia had Wednesday night. Still a long ways to go, and a bad round will take you out of this tournament but I think it is looking good.
I'm not as big of a fan as others but hope she can close this one out.

[18majors]

@Newinup Bianca better start packing to fly to Scotland!As of today, she’s qualified to play AIG Women’s Open under category #17:The leading five (not otherwise exempt) in the 2020 Marathon Classic.

[Newinup]

Thanks for the heads-up/confidence... Let's take it one hole at a time and wait for 36 more... Tons of things will still happen. Fingers crossed. (In the meantime, also in the UK, let's see if Alex Albon qualifies with a better time first, he's "teeing off" in 2 hours time as I type this lol).

[18majors]

 

Can't wait!

LPGA's charter flight is leaving on Monday, August 10; there're many things Bianca needs to prepare.

[Newinup]

Holy implosions... What did she and Megan have for dinner last night? Plane is leaving without her... On to the next tournament, whenever that'll be...

[Argonne69]

Not a lot of movement at the top of the leaderboard. Scores look higher than yesterday. Definitely some bogies waiting out there.

[18majors]

 

LPGA is the school of hard-knock; almost every player takes a beating from time to time.

Bianca's upside is there for the whole world to see; she just needs to have more staring opportunities.

Maria Fassi had more than her share of horrendous beatings; she's also taking it on the chin today after two sensational rounds.

[8602081]

Not really liking that Danielle Kang is wearing gym shorts..

 

[18majors]

Great attitude!

 

[Newinup]

Take an earlier flight and root for your mate Alex - he's starting 9th from the grid tomorrow at Silverstone!

[18majors]

 

People from the US are still not allowed to enter the UK; unless they're from inside a bubble like LPGA players.

Muni will need to take the charter flight and follow the bubble protocols in order to be eligible to play Ladies Scottish Open.

[18majors]

Welcome back Lydia, it's been a while!

Like Lydia, Minjee will show Danielle Kang who's the boss tomorrow.

[Tailgater]

They did look like running shorts.

[Argonne69]

I'd like to think that Lydia has a lock on this one, but the course can take a bite out of a player if they're errant off the tee. Lydia got a bit lucky on her misses on the front nine. A few dropped shots, and a few birdies by Danielle or Minjee and it's a race again. That said, her game looks great. Three under today with only 12 GIRs. Her short game certainly never left. 'Definitely looks like she's back to her old swing, and the distance she picked up is certainly helping. She averaged 283 yds yesterday, and 267 yds today. Nice.

Danielle is such a great interview. Her comments after the round were spot on. 'Just a frustrating day, but yet she's still in it.

Will Minjee's putter heat up? She's definitely capable of a 64 or 65 if she starts sinking putts.

 

 

[Tailgater]

I think Lydia Ko holds on for the win. She is rarely getting in trouble and when she has to scramble her short game is crazy good.

[Argonne69]

Unfortunately we didn't get to see the coverage of her opening nine holes where she missed practically every fairway. I did like her comments after the round, stating that when she's tight she doesn't finish her swing, and to correct it she basically swings harder, knowing that's she's likely going to miss either way, and it's not going to be any worse. Lol. I sense the days of holding back on the driver for most players are long gone. With so many long hitters out there, and the uber-forgiving drivers, players may as well swing out of their shoes.

 

[8602081]

Rooting for Ko..

She is so due for a win. maybe this will return her back to her greatness..