2023 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G

Round 3

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Fantastic and overdue win for rookie sensation Hae Ran Ryu. I really began to feel like there would be no more wins for the Sisters this year, but from the minute I started watching on Sunday, it felt different. Jenny, Sei Young and Hae Ran all seemed motivated. Even if someone had roared from behind and tried to steal it (you never know on this course), it felt like they were not going to give up without a fight. So fun!



Hae Ran said in the interview that she had been too tentative when she had been in position to win in the past. Not this time. I didn't see a single half-assed or wimpy shot the entire day. Even when she struggled at first, she still stayed focused. Once she birdied 10, it felt like she was ready to go. The highlight, perhaps of the year, was her GREAT play on 14. After annihilating the drive, she hit a 7 iron to a few feet. Oh yeah, this was on a par 5. Eagle, and she didn't look back after that.



Who knew she was considered to have the best long game on tour? I didn't. Top driver/accuracy combo. After watching her today, I believe it. Man is she good.

I got a little misty on 18. Sei Young waiting with the champagne. Paul Fusco (Sei Young's caddie) congratulated Hae Ran. Sei Young walked her out towards the clubhouse. Jenny was there to give her a hug. Then they told the story of earlier, when Hae Ran had seen Seon Hwa Lee's photo in the clubhouse (Stone Buddha had won the first iteration of this event back in 2008) and had texted her about it, and Lee replied, 'now it's your turn'. Sisters have a long, glorious history in this league, and they are still there to support each other and try to keep the legacy going.

As for the others: I kept waiting for Sei Young to hit a bad shot, as she has so often in the last couple of years, but she was aggressive as the old days, and it was not until an ill-timed lip out that the wheels came off. Still, this is another top five, and she has to be feeling better. Her time is coming soon.

Jenny is without a question a character. Not your father's Seoul Sister, that's for sure. But she's overcoming her demons and playing well. I wonder what her accent was this week?

Call out for Six (a final round 64! How great is that?), Five and Hyo Joon Jang with top 20s. In Gee had a decent weekend, too, though not enough for a top 20. All in all, this was probably the best weekend the Koreans have had in months. Congrats to everyone and big congrats to Hae Ran Ryu!!!

I guess it's all been said so Congratulations to Hae Ran Ryu after her slow start and her great back nine to get the win.
Kudos to the rest of the Sisters for their great Tournament.

The ones that missed the cut should be unhappy with themselves.
They would have had a good chance to pick up some needed CME points on this course setup.

Always a shout out to Jeongeun Lee6 when she has a great Final Round.
Which means she has a very good chance to put the great rounds together soon.

That winning feeling:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx4F3F3pwTA

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx4H9lhpnjw