LPGA: Will an American Ever Be World #1?
by Adam Fonseca on Jun 22, 2010 11:27 AM EDT
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PrintFollowing her win at the LPGA's Shoprite Classic over the weekend, the LPGA crowns Ai Miyazato as its third number one ranked player this season.
Congratulations to Ai on her fourth victory of the season, and for becoming the best-ranked women golfer in the world. With that being said, I could not help but wonder when the last time an American-born golfer was ranked #1 in the world.
The LPGA has used the Rolex Ranking system since the '06 season to determine the world golf rankings for the sport, which includes both amateurs and professionals. Since that time, there has really never been a question as to who the best women's golfer in the world was at any given time. Annika Sorenstam was the first, followed by Lorena Ochoa, then Jiyai Shin upon Ochoa's surprising retirement, and now Miyazato.
All four women have held substantial leads in the rankings over their nearest American competitors during the same stretch. Right now, Cristie Kerr is the highest-ranked American female golfer, at fifth, with Michelle Wie and Angela Stanford also in the top ten. Though the USA has the most players ranked in the top ten of any nation, the time away from the top spot is nearly some four years now.
Who could be the American woman to usurp the number one spot back?
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Michelle Wie, if she'd just ditch that
white skirt and thus be able to professionally maintain her balance.
I realize the point of this post, Ryan, is about
number one, yet America’s having 3 top-ten players is pretty damn healthy.
American no 1 ?
these things go in cycles…but one thing is certain..American ladies will have to work harder at their games…the world is passing them.
TX, can't do it....It's like El Tigar on
Sundays….the red shirt and the white skirt shield them from the Kriptonite so they remain strong…..Right now, and do I ever hate to admit this especially in light of my bet with Jumpin…..The way the women have been playing, I think Amanda Bloominhurst has the best overall game of the American ladies….sorry gang, jist callin um like I sees um….STUB
HAHAHAHA STUBBO
I’ll invite you to the “all you can eat” shimpin made easy BBQ
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Jumpn
I know you’re not talking to me, but let me put this out there. In Boxing i’ve always believed the best fighters come from the worse conditions. “They’re fighting for their lives”. I feel it’s the same in women’s golf right now. ladies from depressed backgrounds are finding hope in professional golf. They have legitimate heroes, and they can see themselves “making it” if they learn and practice at their games. I agree with court, in that, the diversions for american women are much more invasive, than in other countries. This has to be a factor in the current rush of Asian players, and players from even South America. I bet Lorena has inspired many young women in Mexico.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Jun 25, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
The LPGA isn’t about where the players are from. They are about having the best players hammering it out from tournament to tournament.
There have been a number of Americans in the #1 spot – it’s just been a while since we’ve seen one.
Golf is an individual sport – and right now, American golfer-ettes don’t have what it takes to be #1. We can’t have our girls being focused on being the best, can we ? It might take away from shopping, or modelling, or parties.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Whoa! You sure don't mind sticking that neck out, Court.
Don’t pull a muscle.
Court, we'uns got a sayin
down here in the gud ol USA a TEXAS….about that limb "if’n your gonna crawl out on a limb, jist to thins….make sure it’s strong enough ta hold ya, and don’t go to sawin if off behind ya…..jist sayin…..STUB.
so who’s holdin’ the saw ? if you’re going to say things like that, shouldn’t you have a reason ? prove me wrong ?
TX pointed out that there are 3 Americans in the top 10. The question was about #1. Last time I checked, one win and a bunch of 20-50 finishes don’t get you to the top.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Naw, I was jist thinkin
about your reference to the shoppin, modeling and parties….STUB
There are a bunch of very young American women with the game to get to the top spot. The best female athletes in the US don’t necessarily gravitate to golf as they do in, oh, lets say… South Korea. Please don’t look for instant gratification because this will take a little time.
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
you know as well as the rest of us that pure talent doesn’t get the job done. it takes a lot of hard work and a dependable scoop of grey matter to make a champion…and at least a double scoop to be the top dog.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Your point above that obviously refers to Kerr, Creamer, Gulbis and Pressel is pretty much on target. They’ve allowed themselves to be objectified and seem more interested in living up to the image than winning tournaments.
I’m thinking more along the lines of Lexi Thompson and Jennifer Song. Thompson comes from a family that seems to know about the work ethic required for success in golf. Song turned pro last week, then won her maiden event on the FUTURES Tour, just like Lorena did.
The post that started this asked if an American will ever be number 1. Ever is a long time, so the answer has to be yes. The question should have been, will it happen in any of our lifetimes?
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
Well said, as usual, Diane. I might add that "ever" is an
incredibly long time. Way beyond a fortnight.
You’re right – I was talking about present players who have the ability to climb the ladder. Probably not Kerr – she’s pushing towards the end of her prime. I’d love to see Creamer stay healthy long enough to see if she wants to be at the top or not. Gulbis wasn’t one I was thinking about except that she’s the poster child for chasing the dollars away from the course because she doesn’t have the game to climb the ranks. She keeps her name in the public eye on Tour and merchandises herself very well. Huge Pressel fan – the girl has a lot of heart – I hope her game can match it.
I sure hop you’re about Thompson and Song – at least Thompson. I just don’t know enough about Song. Neither one has LPGA status – Thompson won’t have it for at least 2 more years. She’s one who has the potential AND the drive. She’s not the “famous for being famous” type.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
just heard Frank DeFord on NPR...
…pointing out that Americans haven’t been competing at the elite level in tennis for a decade (since Sampras and besides Roddick and the Williams sisters). 7 American men ranked in the top 100 and 4 American women. There are a LOT more American women in the top 100 and any of them can take off. Don’t forget that a couple of years ago world #1 Ai Miyazato was in danger of dropping out of the top 100 herself (it all started with a nagging leg injury and got so bad at one point she had to stop using her driver). Of them, Cristie Kerr could become #1 with just a few good tournaments. Paula Creamer’s going to move back up the rankings again, even tho’ she’s just coming off surgery (she’s that good and that tough). Morgan Pressel is playing well, won a major in Japan, and could take advantage of any of the courses coming up this week and the next few after it. Angela Stanford is starting to play well again and has the game to be #1. I’m still waiting for Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lang and Christina Kim and Jane Park and Stacy Prammanasudh to get it going this year and for Brittany Lincicome to get more consistent.
We could see an American #1 at some point this season. No need to wait on Jennifer Song or Alexis Thompson or Stacy Lewis or Amanda Blumenherst to make a quantum leap (or get to the LPGA in the 1st place)….
by The Constructivist on Jun 23, 2010 9:49 AM EDT reply actions
Maybe I’m just not thinking as positively as you, but what part of Cristie Kerr’s career has shown you that she can play consistently high level golf to put a string of top tens with several wins mixed in to get her to that top spot ?
Morgan Pressel’s problems are between the ears – she’s too hard on herself. Not sure winning a “major” in Japan is all that big, but win is a win, right ? I’m a big Pressel fan – love to see her start posting a lot of wins and top 10’s.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
with Annika and Lorena gone, why not?
Unless Ai keeps winning at this pace, you won’t need more than a few wins a year and the kind of consistency Cristie’s shown to take over the #1 spot for at least a week or 2. Cristie’s got the added incentive of making a run for the Hall of Fame. So while Paula and Ji-Yai are recovering from injuries, Suzann is dealing with nagging ones of her own, and Ai is adjusting to life as #1, why couldn’t Cristie take a serious run at her?
by The Constructivist on Jun 23, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
point taken
Some of the players you mentioned, TC, have the talent to get there, but I wonder if they have the dedication necessary to achieve the number one spot. On the other hand, I personally believe in golf without borders. I don’t care where they’re from, I just want to watch good golf.
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
ah, dedication!
In my book, Lincicome just doesn’t have it. I’d say Kerr, Creamer, Pressel do. It’s really too bad that Angela Stanford has a bum shoulder, Natalie Gulbis and Jane Park have recurring back problems, Stacy Lewis has to be careful with her back, too, and that Kristy McPherson has arthritis (right?). I don’t think any of them have dedication problems. There are just limits to how and how much they can practice. That’s why right now I think Kerr and Pressel have the best shots at #1. Watch out for Lewis, though. She’s starting to play well!
by The Constructivist on Jun 23, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
All you mention are good, they’re fun to watch and when not injured, should finish top 10 regularly and get the occasional win. None of them, even before injury, have shown they could win consistently enough to get to number one then hold it. Maybe that was due to the presence of thoroughly dominating players (Sorenstam and Ochoa). Then again, if any had what it takes to achieve and hold number one, the dominant players would have had more competition, don’t you think?
TC, you’re way more statistically minded on this stuff than I am. If you, or HD, have a spreadsheet that proves me wrong I’ll gladly accept the new reality, but I don’t think you do. 8-)
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
stats only tell you what happened (sorta)
Looking ahead, who knows? All I know is that Pettersen and Kerr have had their chances to win already this season but hadn’t closed the deal, until Kerr did at the State Farm. Ai has closed like mad. She was like 2 for 13 by my count last year—2 worldwide wins when she was playing/scoring well enough to win in 13 of her ‘09 starts. She’s like 4 for 4 this year (she was never really playing well enough to win in any of her JLPGA starts thus far). That’s a pretty decent rate of putting herself in contention and in making the most of her chances, but it’s not out-of-this-world like Annika and Lorena were at their peaks. I don’t think Ai is close to peaking yet, so we’ll have to see. But I don’t see why Kerr or Pressel or any of a couple dozen other players couldn’t find the same gear Ai has in the past year.
by The Constructivist on Jun 24, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
wouldn't it be fun
I’d love to see three or four players (regardless of nationality) playing at such a high level that the number one spot flops among them for a year or two. I don’t think having a single, long-term dominating player is particularly good for the game.
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
In the last 41 majors
only 10 have been won by Americans. That stat alone makes it hard to see an American No 1 in the next few years.
sorry, Easing
Here are Major championship winners by the nationality at birth going back to the 2000 Kraft Nabisco (41 events).
Taiwan: 2 (Yani Tseng)
US: 9 (Juli Inkster (2), Meg Mallon (2), Hilary Lunke, Sherri Steinhauer, Cristie Kerr, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome)
Mexico: 2 (Lorena Ochoa)
Australia: 6 (Karrie Webb)
Sweden: 9 (Annika Sorenstam (8), Anna Nordqvist)
S. Korea: 9 (Se Ri Pak (3), Grace Park, Birdie Kim, Jeong Jang, Ji-Yai Shin, Inbee Park, Eun-Hee Ji)
France: 1 (Patricia Meunier-Lebouc)
Norway: 1 (Suzann Pettersen)
Scotland: 1 (Catriona Matthew)
England: 1 (Karen Stupples)
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
Thanks Diane..
I counted up the list into ’99 on one of the lists and caught another USA win..9 wins for Americans in the last 41 majors, cheers :)
but the statistic is misleading. “ONLY” 9 for America. Why not ONLY 9 for Korea ? And how about one woman with nearly that number by herself ? That’s more than 70% between two countries and one player.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Because America has been the most domanant country until recently..
due to it’s wealth and opportunity..now the world is catching up, and in the LPGA’s case, passed Americans.
yeah yeah yeah – but we never called ourselves the United States Empire. (ducking) :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
No need to duck, Court. You can trust Easing's
inaccuracy.
never went looking for one – but we’re not on a small island with warm beer and no ice cubes. :-) Have to admit, hundreds of years ago, controlling that much of the world from a smallish island, or Italy is pretty impressive.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Yeah, but with all that cumbersome armor they
wore, must’ve been tough to squeeze in a quick nine.
But you just said you're only 52.
Make up your mind, Easing.
Easing...as usual, you make a vary
interesting point….that of OPPORTUNITY…..I think Diane has a grasp on the stats, so maybe she can tell us just how many of these ladies honed their skills here in the USA at some University or other….How many came to the USA just to compete in the Jr. Golf programs….This , I positively believe will give us better insight on where this no.1 thing is going…..STUB
sorry, Stub
You’ll need to do your own research this time. 8-)
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
Well, OK, I suppose if I gotta, I gotta
Just more curiosity tho….I wonder how many girls attend college on a golf scholarship, get the education, than never turn Professional….Also, how many that do turn Professional never graduate….How many foreign born players come to compete on the Durameds….I think this is starting to give me a headache….But there are just tons of information really needed to provide a good honest assessment of the no.1 thread….jist sayin….STUB
More than men. Men have fewer scholarships to give because of football (which pays the freight for most of the rest of the school’s athletic scholarships…but that’s another discussion). There are a lot of smaller colleges practically begging for girls to take scholarships so they don’t have to cancel other sports. Men’s golf programs generally have 5 or 6 scholarshps for a 12 man team, and those get split up among the guys.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Still mad about the burger joint thing
heh?….STUB
Huh. And i figured you for a biped.
Things are really different across the pond, I gather.
Is Cristie Kerr reading Waggle Room ?
Something got her pissed off. She lapped the field with her six under 66 today. Maybe it’s just a wager with Justin Rose.
Oh – The Queen seems to be on an equal rights trip to support squares on the scorecard. A her 74 featured six holes with squares.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
if Kerr wins and Ai doesn't snag second,
we’ll have a new #1!
by The Constructivist on Jun 26, 2010 11:34 PM EDT reply actions
Oh no, CD !!
You might have accidentally qualified yourself for a paying job in the print media. You wrote your post with the worst in mind (well done), then had it all go wrong inside of a week.
Just be sure not to write a mea culpa – that could really hurt your chances for a paycheck. :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
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