2022 Lotte Championship (Apr 13 - 16)

[grm24]

1 hour ago, Stooch said:

"I'll make a 2nd shot golf course in which you have to land the approach to specific parts of the green to get close, and gale force wind in which you'll have to do it"

And if the wind doesn't blow and the 3rd round leader is -16 to -20 as in other LPGA events there would be complaints here that the course and the setup is too easy. You can't have it both ways.

[Rapidcat]

Well I'm enjoying this, I like seeing players tested in tough conditions and IMO often LPGA courses are set-up too short and easy.

 

The scoring is fine, you've got a top quality player in HJ leading at -10 and there are 21 players under par - what's the issue? If you are not on top of your ball striking then you are toast and shouldn't that be the case more often?

 

Much better than standard fare of drives, short irons into large, flattish greens and a resulting putting contest.

 

Also like the Melbourne sandbelt style bunkers as mentioned by Ernie Els, they seem a real test.

 

I would like to understand the real reasons for the WD's, I hope it's not to take the easy way out because conditions are 'too tough'.

[Raving Shanker]

Go Hyo!

 

This is a fabulous and absorbing contest. Despite the big stars missing, and the WD's, it is still a star-studded field - just that so many players have failed to conquer the wind.

 

I'm a fan of Hyo Joo Kim and will get a kick out of her getting a much-deserved win. She is so under-rated. Consider that in the first two rounds the broadcasters covered one shot - a two foot putt on 18 of Round 2 (unless I kipped through something else).

 

Shibuno's game is coming on! But the commentators say she has lost distance. It feels like that, looking at her, but I can't quite pinpoint where the loss is. A better swing analyst might explain.

 

I love A Lim Kim's athletic, powerful swing. It was some feat to shoot 76 with that quality of ball-striking.

 

[Argonne69]

I like a good story, so Brianna winning as a Monday qualifier would be huge. 

 

Curious is Somi would take membership if she won.

 

[Stooch]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

I like a good story, so Brianna winning as a Monday qualifier would be huge. 

 

Curious is Somi would take membership if she won.

 

 

I'm pulling for Megan to get her 1st win, 5 shots is normally too much to over come but probably not in the final round here lol

[Rapidcat]

I'm happy to see Steph Meadow in contention. Quality player whilst currently a touch short of the elite on tour.

 

Growing up in Northern Ireland and playing her pre-college golf there, she is used to windy conditions, so don't be surprised if she is in the mix coming down R4 back nine.

 

If HJ doesn't get it done (she should), I'd be happy for Steph to do it - another first time winner and another Irish winner.

 

Re winners this season, this is shaping up to have lots of variety.

[MagicClassic407]

Brianna breathing rarified albeit gusty air right now. Wish her well! I was her scorekeeper at the Marathon Classic a couple years back and she came out wearing a Nike dress that I had worn the day before (old lady version). Phew! that was a close one. 🤣

[Stooch]

Today, can be life changing for Brianna as  long as she holds it together, regardless of win or lose.

[8602081]

Enjoyable to watch, lot of TV coverage..

They are showing round 3 again this morning..

 

I like lot of newcomers on the leaderboard, but rooting for Ariya..

 

I heard that as long as Brianna finishes top 10, she can be in the next tournament..

 

[Stooch]

14 minutes ago, 8602081 said:

Enjoyable to watch, lot of TV coverage..

They are showing round 3 again this morning..

 

I like lot of newcomers on the leaderboard, but rooting for Ariya..

 

I heard that as long as Brianna finishes top 10, she can be in the next tournament..

 

 

The reshuffle is in a couple of events also, so a good finish should really improve her status.

[Lobby]

I find it easy to root for Hinako. There’s something about her that makes her so likable 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, Lobby said:

I find it easy to root for Hinako. There’s something about her that makes her so likable 

 

The smiling is a big plus. 😁

 

[HMHS]

11 hours ago, Raving Shanker said:

Go Hyo!

 

This is a fabulous and absorbing contest. Despite the big stars missing, and the WD's, it is still a star-studded field - just that so many players have failed to conquer the wind.

 

I'm a fan of Hyo Joo Kim and will get a kick out of her getting a much-deserved win. She is so under-rated. Consider that in the first two rounds the broadcasters covered one shot - a two foot putt on 18 of Round 2 (unless I kipped through something else).

 

Shibuno's game is coming on! But the commentators say she has lost distance. It feels like that, looking at her, but I can't quite pinpoint where the loss is. A better swing analyst might explain.

 

I love A Lim Kim's athletic, powerful swing. It was some feat to shoot 76 with that quality of ball-striking.

 

I call BS on this... (And, I trust the player's statements more than these commentators LOL) 

 

on the JLPGA thread there's quite a few posts focusing precisely on her revised swing (plus Hinako's own statements about how she needed to gain length to be able to compete better in the LPGA, hence why she did not take the "Easy Card" after she won the Open)...   So no, you are right, you can't pinpoint bec there's no loss...  😎

 

 

[HMHS]

4 hours ago, Lobby said:

I find it easy to root for Hinako. There’s something about her that makes her so likable 

- She plays fast

- She's good buddies with my fav players (biased opinion, of course haha)

- She knows she's not just an athlete but also an "entertainer"

 

The other person that makes it easy (for me) to root for is Ingee.   I'm biased on that one too but I think other posters here know a tidbit or two in her (which I confirm) ☺︎

 

 

[ChronicSlicer]

Nice round by Su today, ten shots better than yesterday.

[8602081]

I see some low scores today..

 

Anything can happen..

[Argonne69]

Winds are blowing again. Might be a rough day for many of the players. 

 

[HMHS]

Tough to chase today, leader ain’t going to make any mistakes and Hinako can’t buy a good break so far… good chip shots and birdie chances/par saves though… 

Edited April 17, 2022 by HMHS

[HMHS]

Game over pretty much… 2nd place for 🎌👏👏👏

 

edit: whoa! Had a chance but got a Bad bounce on the 18th… oh well… good tournament for Hinako 🎌⛩

Edited April 17, 2022 by HMHS

[iBanesto]

What is happening down the 18th?

[HMHS]

17 minutes ago, iBanesto said:

What is happening down the 18th?

Hinako barely misssd the green in 2 for an Eagle chance and that pretty much sealed it… bad bounce from the rough into the bunker rather than onto the green😢

[ChronicSlicer]

Congrats to Hyo Joo! Hopefully she sticks with golf and stays clear of dancing 😬

Tough go for Brianna, but not a surprise.

[iBanesto]

7 minutes ago, Supermilo said:

Hinako barely misssd the green in 2 for an Eagle chance and that pretty much sealed it… bad bounce from the rough into the bunker rather than onto the green😢

 

Thanks!

 

3rd top 10 finish for Shibuno this season as well.

 

 

 

[18majors]

 

Andrea Lee is back to her good golf-self this year;  she won Epson Tour two weeks ago and finished a 6-way T12 at LPGA this week.

 

She'll receive 56.83 CME points this week and is #84 on current year CME list.  Hopefully she can Monday qualify one of the next three tournaments and get herself back into LPGA via the "Current Year Top-80" category at the first reshuffling.

[18majors]

 

Hinako picked up her pace on "Rookie of the Year" race; she has 366 points.

 

She remains at 2nd place, behind Atthaya Thitikul (525).  Hye Jin Choi is third with 336.

[HMHS]

40 minutes ago, iBanesto said:

 

Thanks!

 

3rd top 10 finish for Shibuno this season as well.

 

 

 

Best finish for her with an LPGA card… plus finally four rounds under par… finally getting there with no over par rounds - the bane of her winning in lpga events in the past 

[Argonne69]

Tough course. Winner shoots -1 on the weekend and wins by two. 'Not your typical LPGA setup. I know I kvetch about the easy setups, but this one looked a little unfair. Balls landing on the front part of the green and bounding over the back is no fun. The green complexes are fine. Solid test of the short game, but they have to soften the greens.

 

Congrats to Hyo Joo. She did what she had to do, make pars and force the chasers to chase. That chip on the 18th was superb. I'm still surprised that she hasn't won more on tour. Great ballstriking. Excellent short game. Solid putter. 

 

The rookie class really shined this week. Four in the top 6. 

 

So Mi had a great week. Not sure if we'll see her in LA on Thursday, though.

 

Tough day for Brianna. 'Just one more putt to drop is all she needed.

 

Best finish by Gerina in nearly 3 years. 

 

[18majors]

Hinako's jubilation is contagious!

Edited April 17, 2022 by 18majors

[iBanesto]

Shibuno was constantly applauding Hyo Joo Kim's good shots.

 

Great sportsmanship.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2022 by iBanesto

[8602081]

Congrats to Hyo Joo..  That was a good tournament..

Felt bad for Brianna.. I think everyone wanted to see her make the top 10..

 

Nice finish for SoMi, first time in LPGA tournament?