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Post by tonyj500 on Jan 17, 2023 6:13:04 GMT
My field rating for this event is just 34%, down from 37.5% last year.
My breakdown is 37% from the LPGA Priority List and 31% from the Rolex Rankings.
This tournament is never going to have a high field rating because of its a very small field, but it should be higher than this if all the winners from the previously 2 years actually showed up.
The field will be missing Rolex ranked #1, Lydia Ko, #3 Mingee Lee, #4, Atthaya Thitikul, and #5 Jin Young Ko, among many others.
Why are top players missing the event? My guess is that it doesn't make much sense for players not living in the USA, flying to Florida when there is not another tournament in a month,and not another tournament in the USA for 2 months.
That said, there is still some top players teeing it up including world top ten players Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson, and Nasa Hataoka.
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Post by philknj on Jan 17, 2023 14:52:40 GMT
So, the LPGA is going to dust off its 1-every-4 rule and dish out punishment payments to Major League Minjee and The New Ko  .... chump change for them. This event is a dog when you stick it in January in Florida, while the next event is in Thailand over a month away. Does Hilton have a hotel in Arizona?! This event would have been better one week before Drive On in AZ. None of the top LPGAers want to play big tourneys in January, especially the Asians. There's no need for the LPGA to play in January. |
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 17, 2023 18:23:09 GMT
Jin Young doesn't get an injury exemption here? I mean, she can afford the 50K, but she has not been fully healthy for a while and apparently is having back problems now, too.
Sure, Mardy Fish and the Larry the Cable Guy will be disappointed, but her health is more important, right?
(Looking forward to seeing Lexi get a penalty when she skips Korea again this year).
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Post by philknj on Jan 17, 2023 20:41:41 GMT
The new player priority list is out ... ugh, just getting to Week Two of Q-Series didn't do MHL much good ... she's #189.  Of course, that's a little misleading as I count at least 20 players ahead of her on a Medical, Maternity or Family Leave exemption, so a lot of those people won't even be around. She's #125 in a field of 144 at Drive On/AZ ... I don't see her name anywhere else, yet.
Big Ryu (136), Katsu (140) and J. Song (152) shouldn't have any difficulty getting into every non-major full-field event. Yuna Nishimura (161) should be able to glide into the "lesser" events. Honda/Thailand in February has 12 invitee spots ... wouldn't be surprised if they get Yuna into this one, unless she's sponsored by a rival auto company.
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Post by jumpcut on Jan 18, 2023 1:57:28 GMT
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Post by jumpcut on Jan 18, 2023 2:32:37 GMT
After breaking the CME story, Beth Ann continues to have it in for Mollie. Sounds like she's been getting an earful from the players. Full story at the link below. LPGA season off to a rocky start — no locker room access, practice facilities restricted at TOC
golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/01/17/lpga-hilton-grand-vacation-tournament-of-champions-no-locker-room-access-practice-facility-restrictions/ORLANDO, Florida – There’s no locker room for players here at the LPGA’s season-opener, an event designed to celebrate those who have hoisted trophies over the past two years. Don’t be surprised to see players at the Hilton Grand Vacation Tournament of Champions changing their shoes in the parking lot.
<snip>
LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan has talked often out placing an emphasis on performance excellence. She’s focused on putting together a strong schedule with big purses, but also on the small, important things that are needed to help players perform.
That would, of course, include the basics of a proper locker room setup and practice facilities, as well as strong, clear communication.
An LPGA official confirmed that Marcoux Samaan was unaware of either situation this week.
The year is off to a rocky start.
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 18, 2023 13:58:29 GMT
Wow, MMS must have really gotten on Beth's bad side given Golfweek's latest coverage of the LPGA. The fact that she directly calls her out in the article by name is not accidental I'm sure. I wonder if the celebs are also shut out from lockers, practice facilities, etc.? Somehow I doubt it.
Meanwhile, that has to be the weirdest 'red carpet' portfolio I've ever seen. It looks like they asked them to pose for some pix on the way to the buffet. It has such a low rent feel it's almost embarrassing.
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Post by fanofseri on Jan 18, 2023 17:18:42 GMT
Wow, MMS must have really gotten on Beth's bad side given Golfweek's latest coverage of the LPGA. The fact that she directly calls her out in the article by name is not accidental I'm sure. I wonder if the celebs are also shut out from lockers, practice facilities, etc.? Somehow I doubt it. Meanwhile, that has to be the weirdest 'red carpet' portfolio I've ever seen. It looks like they asked them to pose for some pix on the way to the buffet. It has such a low rent feel it's almost embarrassing. Beth Ann is not a corporate shill. She must have a world class beef with the Commissioner. At least Stark and Norqvist can shower at Annika's place. |
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Post by philknj on Jan 18, 2023 17:57:04 GMT
DK has Beecher on her bag this week ... probably a permanent move for him with Winbee starting a family and phasing herself off the tour.
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Post by philknj on Jan 19, 2023 16:13:44 GMT
Wei Ling Hsu collected five birdies on the front nine to get the early lead.
**********
Ayaka Furue started the season with a new Fujikura Speeder NX Green shaft in the her driver.
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Post by don on Jan 19, 2023 19:53:23 GMT
They all know most "golf fans" will follow the story if it involves an LPGA failure.
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Post by legitimategolf on Jan 20, 2023 18:16:59 GMT
They all know most "golf fans" will follow the story if it involves an LPGA failure. About time to spark up another 'what the LPGA needs' conversation anyway. |
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Post by philknj on Jan 21, 2023 4:18:23 GMT
I could have watched some of this today, but went with 'Rawhide' and 'Wagon Train' instead. 
I don't care who wins ... we know Saso won't from here: |
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Post by fanofseri on Jan 23, 2023 2:04:52 GMT
Impossible for Brooke to lose to this motley crew. Congratulations to the best player in the world.
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Post by tonyj500 on Jan 23, 2023 17:44:39 GMT
Since there is no new LPGA tournament coming up this week, I will post this here.
Not much movement in the Rolex Rankings this week:
Brooke Henderson Moves from No. 7 to No. 6
Charley Hull Jumps up from No. 17 to No. 13
Maja Stark makes the biggest leap from No. 45 to No. 36
Brooke Henderson passes both Ariya Jutanugarn and Sei young kim this week as she won for the 13th time. She is now in a tie with Stacy Lewis & Jin Young Ko for 14th place alltime.
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.... chump change for them. This event is a dog when you stick it in January in Florida, while the next event is in Thailand over a month away. Does Hilton have a hotel in Arizona?! This event would have been better one week before Drive On in AZ. None of the top LPGAers want to play big tourneys in January, especially the Asians. There's no need for the LPGA to play in January.
Of course, that's a little misleading as I count at least 20 players ahead of her on a Medical, Maternity or Family Leave exemption, so a lot of those people won't even be around. She's #125 in a field of 144 at Drive On/AZ ... I don't see her name anywhere else, yet.
