Shin Wins ADT Championship; Ryan Called It

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 24, 2008 12:14 AM EST Comment 17 comments

I love getting things right because it means that I get to use my favorite graphic. (Oh, and golf.com's headline says "South Korean wins ADT." Seriously.)

Ji Yai Shin won the ADT Championship on Sunday by posting -2. She birdied 17 in three of four days, which would have been a feat unto itself given that 17 has been responsible for so many players' demises in the history of this event. (So long, old friend, for now.)

The two other major contenders on the back nine, Karrie Webb and Seon Hwa Lee, could not survive unscathed. For Webb, it was 11 through 13. For Lee, it was 17 that got her most.

The golf, though, was not especially amazing in terms of scoring. But, as always, the format was compelling. It also worked out well for the LPGA Tour that the Shin-Webb pairing turned out to have 1 and 2 in the finale. The dynamic between the two was interesting to observe.

With Shin's 3 LPGA Tour victories this season, she completes a feat never done. For her to have finished top 3 on the Tour's money list as a non-member is incredible. The 2009 LPGA Tour season should prove even more intriguing now.

We have an additional character in Shin that could by vying for the title of best player on the LPGA Tour. Yes, Lorena owns the title by a mile in dollars, wins, and rankings. But we have Creamer and Shin as plausible foils for that ranking. There is also some symbolism there that I promise will not be lost on the golf media. (Especially after they read this.)

0 recs | Comment 17 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

let's not forget Tseng

The ROY was 6-1 against Annika in head-to-head play in ’08. She has to be a front-runner for ’09. For a rookie to be in contention as often as she was this year says a lot about her talent.

But Shin sure knows how to win, eh? Twice in 5 tries in Japan. 3 in 10 on the LPGA. Wow!

by The Constructivist on Nov 24, 2008 6:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

oh, and...

…I saw her miss that last birdie try on 17.

by The Constructivist on Nov 24, 2008 6:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good call on Tseng

She certainly has a chance to be in the group if she isn’t already. Were it not for her being so young, I’d say so for sure.

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 24, 2008 9:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

hey now...

…I predicted the winner would have a Korean accent :-D

Good job RB - and the UM crowd showed a lot of class at the football game Saturday when FSU’s Myron Rolle made it to the stadium after acing his Rhodes Scholarship exam.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 9:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Haha

I wasn’t there. I decided to avoid the cold and stay out at a bar crawl instead. I think I made the right decision.

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 24, 2008 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't there either...

…but the UM crowd gave Rolle a standing O when he got on the field. The ACC has a lot of classy schools and students.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear

I was afraid that you were going to say that we chanted “you suck.”

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 24, 2008 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

nah

it was still in the first half — maybe the student section wasn’t drunk enough for that. :-)

come on – UM fans aren’t Philadelphia Iggles/Phillies fans

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, we are

We are probably one of the worst behaved student fan bases. The adults are better.

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 24, 2008 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hey now #2...

…someone brought up the “south of the border” connection for winners of the ADT…does SOUTH Korea count (just to keep the tradition rolling) :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 10:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I believe not

at least geographically speaking. :(

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 24, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it was worth a try...

…right ? :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shin got the not-even-a-rookie treatment

Just read Beth Ann Baldry’s piece on Shin and the ADT – pretty good.

Here we have a 32 player field – most of them staying at The Donald’s estate there. They have a big party before the tournament, and only 31 players were invited. Shin wasn’t included because she’s not an official LPGA member.

HOW RUDE !!!!!

Geez – if the rules are going to allow her a spot in the tournament, don’t be rude and leave her out of the festivities. That’s just wrong.

What idiot decided that only LPGA members would be let in the doors for the party when you only have 32 players in the field ? Were they afraid she would eat all the caviar ???

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

oh - here's the link

http://www.golfweek.com/story/baldry-112308

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's sad

Especially since Shin is more distinguished in her career than more than half of the invited field.

by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 24, 2008 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

from BA herself

Just got a reply from Beth Ann Baldry on the party invitees…

“To be fair, Shin wasn’t the only player not invited. She was the only WINNER not invited. The only players invited are the POY, ROY and first-time winners. Shin, as you know, won twice prior to the ADT. But they only recognize members who have won. I tend to think they could honor all the winners, but that’s just me.”

I’m with her – geez – there are only 32 in the field – give everybody a burger and a beer and celebrate the right way.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Nov 24, 2008 3:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs