2021 LPGA Year in Review

[Argonne69]

Another season in the books. 29 events played. 21 different winners from 12 countries. Thoughts? 

 

[Argonne69]

A very enjoyable year. Bummer that 5 tournaments were canceled, but it was a big improvement over 2020. If you would have asked me at the start of the season if two players would win a combined 9 events (and 10 including the Olympics), I would have said, "No way." There's just too much talent out there to be that dominant. Having two players separate themselves from the rest was crazy.

 

In general the tour seems to be in fine shape. There will be more events, and more money next year. Hopefully they can get on a few more iconic (read: tougher) courses in the future.

 

13 players finished the year with a sub-70 scoring average. Nelly and Jin Young were both sub-69. At first glance that smacks of easy setups. In many ways it is. However, looking back over the last decade the tour has had a couple of similar seasons, so it's not like a lot has changed. In 2017 twelve players finished with sub-70 averages. Playing a few too many resort courses with shortened holes is always good for the scoring average. 

 

The majors were interesting in that four of the five had first time major winners, and two of them were first time winners. In 2020 Sophia and A Lim were both first time winners. 2019 had 3 first time winners in the majors. I guess there's a trend developing.

 

[Argonne69]

Don't think I can add a lot more to the Jin Young Ko Show discussion. Four straight seasons with a sub-70 scoring average? Not a bad start to an LPGA career. She got off to a "slow" start by not winning until July, but oh what a 2nd half. Winning 3 of the last 4, and 4 of the last 7 is just crazy. A+.

 

Nelly may have ended the year on a slight downnote, but it was also a heck of a year. Four wins and a gold medal earns her an easy A+. The PoY award came down to the final round of the final tournament, so no need to hang her head. Kudos.

 

Lydia showed signs of returning to her old self last season, but I think she completed the return this year. One win, 11 top 10s, and 3rd in CME points. She still has work to do on her driving accuracy, but the rest of the game is in fine shape. Still has a few too many mediocre Saturday rounds that leave those Sunday charges coming up short. Grade: A.

 

I'm sitting here scratching my head over Patty's season. Yes, she dominated the ANA. She also "quietly" finished in the top 10 ten times. So why does it seem that she was invisible for most of the year? A combination of lackluster final rounds when she was in contention, and solid final rounds when she was just outside of contention seems to have led to solid results with little fanfare. Grade: A-.

 

Inbee also had a somewhat quiet year. She won her first event of the season, and had 7 additional top 10s, but didn't quite generate a buzz. Two top 10s in the majors was very un-Inbee like. Grade: B+.

 

Ariya had a real up and down season. Two wins that included the team event, and 5 other top 10s. However, she missed 3 cuts, and didn't have a top 10 since mid-August. 'Just seems to be missing a gear. Grade: A-.

 

Lexi finished her 2nd consecutive season without a win. She did have 7 top 10s. No surprise it's her short putting that's letting her down at crucial moments. She'll bounce back as she alsways has. Grade: B-. 

 

Speaking of putting woes. Brooke had a decent year, but her putter also kept her out of the mix on too many occasions. She's too good a ballstriker to not be in the mix more often. One win and six additional top 10s. I agree it's time for a putting coach. Grade: B+.

 

I should give Minjee an A+ for getting the major monkey off of her back. Lol. She had 6 additional top 10s. Her putter needs to warm up. So many birdie opportunities go by the wayside. Grade: A-.

 

Nasa finished 10th in the CME race, but with two wins it points to an up and down season. She missed 5 cuts, and didn't have a top 10 until May at the match play event. Of course she came close to winning the USWO, but lost in the playoff. Needs a little work on her iron play, as she's 49th in greens in regulation. Grade: A-.

 

[8602081]

I would like to think that LPGA survived Covid era.. Hopefully it's over and optimistic of LPGA's future..

 

Would love to see Lydia comeback to the top and compete with the top players consistantly.

Big fan of Ariya, maybe she will bring the Driver this year and show who can really drive the ball..

Given up on Lexi, her putting woes have been pretty consistant throughout her career.

Nasa is the black horse, she can bring down any big players.

Nelly and JYK will stay at the top spot for a while..

[Rapidcat]

Enjoyed this year, decent job done to complete a season with all the covid issues.

 

Ideally I'd like to see both tougher courses and course set-ups - I prefer to see less drive and short iron holes and please, no manufactured gimme birdie style holes, it's not fooling anyone and hurts the credibility of the players.

 

Not wishing for week after week of penal course slogs, just a half notch up in challenge.

[makaveli]

Would have been nice to see Nelly and JYK battle it out on Sunday. After Saturday’s round with both tied for the lead it seemed like it was meant to be. In a winner take all format that’s rare to have both favorites in the final group on Sunday. Watch out for Atthaya Thitikul next year!

[makaveli]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'm sitting here scratching my head over Patty's season. Yes, she dominated the ANA.

Maybe next year, she’s incredible. 

[ChronicSlicer]

Congrats to Mina Harigae for having a career year at the ripe old age of 32, maybe the win will come next year.

Looking forward to see what Matilda, Leona, Pajaree and Esther and Yuka can muster up next year.

Not a Stacy Lewis fan but whatever she said to Maria Fassi, I'm all ears..

Fassi was a complete disaster until that magical chat session and partnership at the Dow. Great turn around so far, let's see if it continues into 22.

 

Su Oh..well, good thing we're a patient bunch of "fanboys" around here lol. Maybe next year.

 

 

 

[KBong]

2 hours ago, ChronicSlicer said:

Su Oh..well, good thing we're a patient bunch of "fanboys" around here lol. Maybe next year.

 

🤣🤣

 

Like the Flying Dumbo's and Attack Girls...maybe if we start a Su Oh fan club....it will spark Su to win.

 

But we need a really good name for the fan club....any suggestions?....and who is the biggest Su Oh fanboy?...he should be the obvious choice as fan club Prez.

 

I wonder if Su knows she has fanboys?

 

I think there are more Su fanboys than Minjee fanboys.

I don't even think there's a Minjee fanboy on this site...or maybe there is a Minjee fanboy who is too shy to come out of the closet.

[HMHS]

1 minute ago, KBong said:

🤣🤣

 

Like the Flying Dumbo's and Attack Girls...maybe if we start a Su Oh fan club....it will spark Su to win.

 

But we need a really good name for the fan club....any suggestions?....and who is the biggest Su Oh fanboy?...he should be the obvious choice as fan club Prez.

 

I wonder if Su knows she has fanboys?

 

I think there are more Su fanboys than Minjee fanboys.

I don't even think there's a Minjee fanboy on this site...or maybe there is a Minjee fanboy who is too shy to come out of the closet.

I like Minjee and Su... Minjee is from Perth and some friends do know her personally. OTOH I had to choose Su for our LPGA 2021 contest based on the criteria we had. Overall, Minjee > Su for me, assuming no forced selection for contests.  

[KBong]

I'm going to add to @Argonne69 Year in Review list because he missed the OBVIOUS.

 

I'm still shaking my head and I was gonna give the LPGA BoD's a D- for hiring Mollie as the LPGA commish.

But the D- NEEDS to be downgraded....why?....because the BoD's used a head hunting firm to seek out candidates for a short list and this firm likely was paid approximately $250,000+....executive recruiting firms typically charge 25-33% of the successful placement's 1st year salary...I recall reading that Smiley Mike's base salary was approx. $800,000....so who knows what the Commish's base salary for 2021 is?

I assume Mollie was a candidate from the recruiting firm.

So the final grade for the LPGA BoD: Grade F-

 

The LPGA has failed twice in it's last three Commish hires....yes you guessed the other one....Bivens.

A 33% success rate in a business/organization is ABYSMAL. 

[KBong]

17 minutes ago, Supermilo said:

I like Minjee and Su... Minjee is from Perth and some friends do know her personally. OTOH I had to choose Su for our LPGA 2021 contest based on the criteria we had. Overall, Minjee > Su for me, assuming no forced selection for contests.  

How do your friends know Minjee?

I assume you spent time in Perth?...how many years.

 

On our 2011 China bus tour vacation....there were quite a few Ozzie's on our bus....all nice folks.

From Perth...a really nice Chinese lady & white guy couple...GF & BF....the guy was so funny....chain smoker and heavy drinker...so on our 6am flight from Beijing to Nanjing.....at the airport, we are all told to drink up or empty any water bottles before going through security....Perth guy takes out this huge bottle from his knapsack and drinks and finishes off the bottle...I find out later it wasn't a bottle of water but a bottle of vodka...LOL...crazy nut ball.

 

They were also two hilarious older Ozzie guys...in their 60's...I would sit down with them at breakfast and listen to their nightly escapades with their Chinese "hired help"🤣

These two gents gave me two GORGEOUS Ozzie beach towels at the end of the trip. When I asked why they gave me the towels...they said I was the most fun in our group and one who would enjoy & listen to their frolics.

We went out one night to check things out...we went to a karaoke bar....we didn't get past the hostess and 2 doormen quickly escorted out any tourists...obviously there was more than just singing at this karaoke bar.🤣

[KBong]

2021 Year in Review....Disappointment.

 

This one is for @Supermilo and @Golf Dino....yup you guessed it....POSER Bianca P.🤣

[HMHS]

8 hours ago, KBong said:

How do your friends know Minjee?

I assume you spent time in Perth?...how many years.

 

On our 2011 China bus tour vacation....there were quite a few Ozzie's on our bus....all nice folks.

From Perth...a really nice Chinese lady & white guy couple...GF & BF....the guy was so funny....chain smoker and heavy drinker...so on our 6am flight from Beijing to Nanjing.....at the airport, we are all told to drink up or empty any water bottles before going through security....Perth guy takes out this huge bottle from his knapsack and drinks and finishes off the bottle...I find out later it wasn't a bottle of water but a bottle of vodka...LOL...crazy nut ball.

 

They were also two hilarious older Ozzie guys...in their 60's...I would sit down with them at breakfast and listen to their nightly escapades with their Chinese "hired help"🤣

These two gents gave me two GORGEOUS Ozzie beach towels at the end of the trip. When I asked why they gave me the towels...they said I was the most fun in our group and one who would enjoy & listen to their frolics.

We went out one night to check things out...we went to a karaoke bar....we didn't get past the hostess and 2 doormen quickly escorted out any tourists...obviously there was more than just singing at this karaoke bar.🤣

Yes my friends, some of them are more avid golfers (than me) in Perth so they know her. I didn't ask how, presumably through the golf course setting or, maybe same/similar neighborhood - Perth is a relatively " small" and "boring/isolated" area they say... Moved there not to business since they said it's more for a "lifestyle" thing, whatever that means lol... Closer to Indonesia than Queensland in fact... BUT they have longer time for golf!!! And obviously root for her.

 

They've lived there on and off since pre-2000 - were my elementary and High school classmates and kept in touch with them ever since...

 

 

[Argonne69]

Sei Young had an off season. No wins and only 4 top 10s? 'First winless season on tour after winning five times in the past two. Seems that when she was in the hunt on Sunday she went in the wrong direction. She ranked 39th in putting average, which pretty much sums it up. Grade: B.

 

Similar season for Danielle. No wins and 9 top 10s after winning three times in the previous two years. In her case I believe it's a balky driver as she tries to pick up yardage. 36th in driving accuracy leading to a 43rd ranking in greens hit. Similar to Lydia, her putter bails her out on a regular basis. Grade: B.

 

Jessica got off to a hot start with a win and three additional top 10s in the first 7 tournaments, but cooled after that. She only had one top 10 the remainder of the year. Still, it was a big improvement over 2020. Grade: B-.

 

Odd year for Moriya with 6 missed cuts. She did pick up a win in the team event with Ariya, but otherwise there weren't many highlights. Grade: B-.

 

Jeong Eun managed 8 top 10s, and came close to picking up her 2nd major at the Evian, but otherwise it was a forgettable season. Grade: B-.

 

Even though Yuka played in two events prior to the USWO, her season really started after that win. She picked up 4 additional top 10s, which was pretty good for a "real" rookie. It'll be interesting to see how she does in her first full season next year. Grade: A-.

 

Amazing what adding a little driver distance can do. Leona had a rough year last season, but followed it up with 5 top 10s this year, including a 2nd and a 2T. Grade: B-.

 

Celine picked up her 2nd win, and had 5 additional top 10s. Still a bit of an up and down season, though. Grade: B.

 

[HMHS]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Sei Young had an off season. No wins and only 4 top 10s? 'First winless season on tour after winning five times in the past two. Seems that when she was in the hunt on Sunday she went in the wrong direction. She ranked 39th in putting average, which pretty much sums it up. Grade: B.

 

Similar season for Danielle. No wins and 9 top 10s after winning three times in the previous two years. In her case I believe it's a balky driver as she tries to pick up yardage. 36th in driving accuracy leading to a 43rd ranking in greens hit. Similar to Lydia, her putter bails her out on a regular basis. Grade: B.

 

Jessica got off to a hot start with a win and three additional top 10s in the first 7 tournaments, but cooled after that. She only had one top 10 the remainder of the year. Still, it was a big improvement over 2020. Grade: B-.

 

Odd year for Moriya with 6 missed cuts. She did pick up a win in the team event with Ariya, but otherwise there weren't many highlights. Grade: B-.

 

Jeong Eun managed 8 top 10s, and came close to picking up her 2nd major at the Evian, but otherwise it was a forgettable season. Grade: B-.

 

Even though Yuka played in two events prior to the USWO, her season really started after that win. She picked up 4 additional top 10s, which was pretty good for a "real" rookie. It'll be interesting to see how she does in her first full season next year. Grade: A-.

 

Amazing what adding a little driver distance can do. Leona had a rough year last season, but followed it up with 5 top 10s this year, including a 2nd and a 2T. Grade: B-.

 

Celine picked up her 2nd win, and had 5 additional top 10s. Still a bit of an up and down season, though. Grade: B.

 

Expect more of the same from Yuka -- definitely in the top 10-15 at least 2 handful times... In the hunt and even maybe atop the leaderboard at the end of a few rounds... Hard to say whether it's she'll win in 2022 what with the JYK show ongoing but also tough to say that she won't win any tournament now that she'll be full time at the LPGA (i/o splitting time with JLPGA).  So, barring any win - I can predict already a B+/B... B+/A- if she wins one tournament next year, A if she gets another major for 2022... 

Edited November 24, 2021 by HMHS

[KBong]

LMAO

@Argonne69 is still p*ssed at the LOVELY In Gee Chun for throwing away his homemade Dumbo headcover he made for her.🤣

He omitted giving In Gee a review grade, so I'll do it.

 

In Gee had a good year statistically and 8 top 10's

BUT

She failed to win....it been 3 years since her last LPGA trophy.

Grade: B

BUT

Dumbo looks SMOKIN HAWT in her new Fair Liar apparel and wears knee highs more often.

Final Grade: A+...why not!

 

LUV Dumbo!

 

[18majors]

11 minutes ago, KBong said:

Dumbo looks SMOKIN HAWT in her new Fair Liar apparel.

Final Grade: A+...why not!

 

LUV Dumbo!

 

I don't usually agree with @KBong; but it's so true that her presence alone is worth everything!

[Naptime]

I think Nelly's great success was a bit of a surprise.  Lexi seems bedeviled, we will see what 2022 holds.

[18majors]

 

Nelly's result is insanely good!  Tiger Woods holds PGA Tour's all time record of 3.443 in 2006.

 

 

[iBanesto]

Thitikul's performances at Honda LPGA Thailand, Evian Championship and Scottish Open showed that this girl has so much potential for the LPGA Tour.

 

 

[Argonne69]

17 hours ago, KBong said:

LMAO

@Argonne69 is still p*ssed at the LOVELY In Gee Chun for throwing away his homemade Dumbo headcover he made for her.🤣

He omitted giving In Gee a review grade, so I'll do it.

 

In Gee had a good year statistically and 8 top 10's

BUT

She failed to win....it been 3 years since her last LPGA trophy.

Grade: B

BUT

Dumbo looks SMOKIN HAWT in her new Fair Liar apparel and wears knee highs more often.

Final Grade: A+...why not!

 

LUV Dumbo!

 

 

It was great to see In Gee regain some old form. Not quite sure how a player finishes 7th in scoring average, with 8 top 10s, and yet finishes 25th in CME points. I guess it just shows how consistent she is. On the pitch and putt layouts where other players are shooting 63's she posts her usual 69. The biggest improvement this season was in her driving average. It went up to 255 yds (85th), up from 245 yds last year, and as low as 243 in 2018. Her coach attributes it to an equipment change, as her previous driver produced too much spin.

 

Same can be said for So Yeon. She finished 14th in scoring average, but 22nd in CME points. In her case it's likely performance in majors where she gained few of the bigger point pool.

 

Edited November 25, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

A bit surprised by Matilda's 2nd half of the season. She had a good 3 week streak mid-season where she had a 1st and 2nd, but finished no better than 15T after that. 

 

Wei-Ling, Ryann, and Pajaree get passing grades after picking up their first wins. Pajaree was the most successful of the three with six top 10s.

 

[18majors]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Not quite sure how a player finishes 7th in scoring average, with 8 top 10s, and yet finishes 25th in CME points. I guess it just shows how consistent she is.

 

 

CME Ranking models after Rolex Ranking; it rewards win, place or show.  A win is worth 500 points, while a T7 100 points.; a win is worth five T7.  By the same token, a T2 is worth more than three T7.

 

In Gee had only one T3 all season and So Yeon two.  You're right, her CME ranking would be completely different if she managed to win one or two of those chip and putt tournaments.

 

 

[Rapidcat]

23 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Sei Young had an off season. No wins and only 4 top 10s? 'First winless season on tour after winning five times in the past two. Seems that when she was in the hunt on Sunday she went in the wrong direction. She ranked 39th in putting average, which pretty much sums it up. Grade: B.

 

Similar season for Danielle. No wins and 9 top 10s after winning three times in the previous two years. In her case I believe it's a balky driver as she tries to pick up yardage. 36th in driving accuracy leading to a 43rd ranking in greens hit. Similar to Lydia, her putter bails her out on a regular basis. Grade: B.

 

Jessica got off to a hot start with a win and three additional top 10s in the first 7 tournaments, but cooled after that. She only had one top 10 the remainder of the year. Still, it was a big improvement over 2020. Grade: B-.

 

Odd year for Moriya with 6 missed cuts. She did pick up a win in the team event with Ariya, but otherwise there weren't many highlights. Grade: B-.

 

Jeong Eun managed 8 top 10s, and came close to picking up her 2nd major at the Evian, but otherwise it was a forgettable season. Grade: B-.

 

Even though Yuka played in two events prior to the USWO, her season really started after that win. She picked up 4 additional top 10s, which was pretty good for a "real" rookie. It'll be interesting to see how she does in her first full season next year. Grade: A-.

 

Amazing what adding a little driver distance can do. Leona had a rough year last season, but followed it up with 5 top 10s this year, including a 2nd and a 2T. Grade: B-.

 

Celine picked up her 2nd win, and had 5 additional top 10s. Still a bit of an up and down season, though. Grade: B.

 

You're a tough marker, Prof.

 

Do you have a criteria?

[Argonne69]

6 hours ago, Rapidcat said:

You're a tough marker, Prof.

 

Do you have a criteria?

 

Lol. Grade on the curve. If Nelly and Jin Young get A+'s, it's all shifted from there. Probably a little tougher than I should be by a half grade. 

 

 

[Rapidcat]

6 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. Grade on the curve. If Nelly and Jin Young get A+'s, it's all shifted from there. Probably a little tougher than I should be by a half grade. 

 

 

Ok, I'll give you a C+, then, no more🙂

[Zitlow]

The LPGA gets better and better. Hope it continues to get better under the new Commissioner. 

[18majors]

26 minutes ago, Zitlow said:

Hope it continues to get better under the new Commissioner. 

 

 

The new commissioner is focusing on increasing not only the purse but also the number of tournaments.  In 2-3 years, there will be three categories of tournaments:

 

1.    $5.0 - $10.0 million                                Most Top-40 players will play
2.    $2.5 - $4.9 million                                  2/3 of the Top-40 players will play
3.    $1.5 -  $2.4 million                                 1/3 of the Top-40 players will play

 

Category 2 and 3 are especially important for middle and lower tier players to reach Top-10 and earn substantial prize money.

 

LPGA is lucky to have Nelly Korda as the #1 player, she's only 23 and most likely will continue to get better.  Also, in addition to American players, more and more top players from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Europe, Australia, Mexico and Canada are coming to LPGA.  It ensures the tour will remain the most competitive and presents a good product to the public.

 

In short, the tour is in good hands with the new commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan; I can't wait for 2022 season to start.

 

 

Edited November 25, 2021 by 18majors

[KBong]

2 hours ago, 18majors said:

LPGA is lucky to have Nelly Korda as the #1 player,

LOL

You mean the same Nelly with the bland personality...as per @Rapidcat 🤣

And the REALLY POPULAR Nelly that no American company was willing to pay the rent for the front of her visor and staff bag...that Chris M had to cross the Pacific to shill and beg the Koreans for a sponsorship.

 

Ah ok.🤣