Evian Masters: Creating & Reassigning LPGA Nicknames
by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 26, 2010 9:32 AM EDT
in Pro Golf
10 comments
The Evian Masters - the LPGA's lead-in to the Women's British Open - produced a great finish in which four players had a legitimate chance to win. Lexi Thompson wrapped up first with birdies on the 71st and 72nd holes to post -13 and temporarily hold the lead. Na Yeon Choi was next - coming home in 66 to tie Thompson.
The final pairing on Jiyai Shin and Morgan Pressel were languishing along in the back nine of the final round. Pressel had made nothing but pars since a bogey at ten. With an opportunity for bird at 17, Pressel missed the neighborhood to own the lead. Each came to the par 5 finisher with a chance to win with birdie or better. Both got to the green in three, inside of ten feet. Shin made her birdie putt (cross-handed, so it does work). Pressel clipped the edge to miss, lose by a shot, and turn on the water works.
Shin went out and simply won her first LPGA event in ten months. She earned it with a flawless final round fitting of her moniker "Final Round Queen." But maybe Na Yeon Choi deserves equal billing for the title. Choi - like she did in the final day of the US Women's Open - had a stunning final round to position her near the top of the leaderboard.
Lexi Thompson got into the Evian Masters this past week by virtue of a sponsor invite. Her and Marijo Uribe were named tournament "wild cards" and given entry into the 111 player field. Both players took advantage, making the cut. Thompson, though, is quickly reminiscent of that distinction. She finished very strongly in the US Women's Open and has a runner-up finish to her credit in her short stint as a pro.
Meanwhile, Pressel unraveled yet again after a loss. Earlier in the week, she was rumored to have told a rules official to do something that sounds really unpleasant to a tree. Then she wouldn't speak to reporters after the loss. She even had to wear sunglasses while signing autographs to hold back the tears from the loss. Pressel hasn't won since the one-and-done Kapalua LPGA Classic in October '08. With now a handful of medal stand finishes since then, it seems melodramatic to turn each loss into a Shakespearean death scene.
Shin won, Pressel lost. It's that simple. Winning golf tournaments at any level boils down to forgetting the surroundings and executing your game plan well enough to finish first. And if it doesn't work, then it's time to retool it.
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Pressel
Great player on the LPGA, with a sour grapes attitude after losing. She needs to get a grip. I’m sure there are many players out there that would trade their standings on the Rolex Rankings for hers. Go **** a tree ? Yikes and Ouchy !!!
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
I thought Pressel
might do more this year as she seems to have picked up some extra yardage ….I don’t know if she still works with Mr. Hall….but her ball striking seems to be less now than it was back than…The knock on her has always been length….now, it may be putting….She’s aggressive enough, ..Jump is right….she just needs to get a grip on herself….STUB
Your loyalty to CK is laudable
but her sounding off about what she rumoured Pressel said was the story here. Friendship can corrupt.
I saw what she said, but I didn’t make much of it. Christina’s done some call outs before of a bunch of other players. Just kinda how she operates.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroom, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 27, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps I should...
Start having Boxing Glove Head Covers made up with the LPGA logo and players names embroidered on them, just in case. easy enough to do as my g/f bought me a set for my own clubs.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
what does that mean ?
…no more late night drunk typing for you….“Thompson, though, is quickly reminiscent of that distinction.” waht does that mean ? Or “Pressel hasn’t won since the one-and-done Kapalua LPGA Classic in October ’08.” Are you talking about the win or the tournament ?
pro – you’re definitely right. She needs to find a way to let go of that disappointment in a loss. And it ain’t easy, let me tell you. I’ve had losses upset me for long periods of time in the past. But she’s a professional and needs to teach herself to suck it up just a little…go to the press tent to recite a few cliche’s…and THEN go trash the hotel room. :-) At least she didn’t ignore the fans. Have to give her credit for that. She was in a tough spot, though – losing on a putt like that and being the last group on the course – she didn’t have time to compose herself.
Face it – we redheads have to deal with a temper you blondies and brunettes don’t have to deal with. :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
All Tweets 23/7 from Christina Kim
“I was told that someone v. prominent in the future of the LPGA – a young major winner said to one of our rules officials “go f. word a tree”. That is just inappropriate, rude, unprofessional, and just bc she dropped off the leaderboard doesn’t mean she should say that. I spit on her".
“Just spoke with rules officials and they said that was not exactly what was said, so let us stop assuming.”
“I think players should be barred from the tour for speaking to an official in that manner. That and a big old smack from me across the face”.
“I’m so sick & tired of people making inaccurate assumptions about things I tweet. In fact I am so sick I’m going to start blocking people more & more and I’m going to take a break from Tweeting. Thanks a lot, jerkwards for ruining a great thing”.
She got angrier & angrier about being asked for the name of the player she was talking about. . I won’t bother to repeat her demented Tweets.
If a male player had called someone else out on the Tour, you would have been all over it, RB.
I’m calling you out for lack of professionalism on this story. I repeat – friendship can corrupt.
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