Post by bangkokbobby on May 22, 2016 19:59:01 GMT -5
more pics and video on my blog: Ariya Jutanugarn Wins 2016 Kingsmill Championship For Back To Back LPGA Victories
Ariya Jutanugarn
Well, that was quick. It took a long time for the first official LPGA winner representing Thailand to be crowned. It only took until the following tournament for the next coronation. Second verse, same as the first. Ariya Jutanugarn made it back to back titles with a 14-under 1 shot victory at the 2016 Kingsmill Championship. This is right on the heels of her win at the last scheduled LPGA event, the 2016 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. After May won Yokohama, I wasn’t expecting a flood of wins to follow. In fact, after going back to Thailand in the LPGA’s off week prior to Kingsmill, I thought all the celebrations and honors might take a little something out of her. I wouldn’t have been shocked to see her miss the cut in Williamsburg. Both of Jutanugarn’s wins were impressive, particularly overcoming a few squirrely shots down the stretch. There were fewer of them this week than two weeks ago, but she did spray an approach shot on 18 to the far right front fringe of the green that had me sweating a bit. May got it up and down (with a lofted wedge on the first shot) to seal the deal. That was certainly a lot better than a missed cut!
Ariya Jutanugarn
The question is what are the expectations now for Ariya Jutanugarn. After Yokohama, I was conservative in what I envisioned for May, a top 10 Race to the CME Globe finish being satisfactory to me. That’s out the window now. Back to back wins turns up the pressure. But as sports pioneer Billie Jean King would say, pressure is a privilege. If nobody expects anything from you, it’s probably because you haven’t given them a reason. May turning her potential into titles is why much will be looked for from her going forward. That said, keep in mind the competition out there. Lydia Ko is the best in the world and has back to back wins this year. There are two other players, Haru Nomura and Ha-Na Jang, who have also notched their first two career LPGA wins this year. Don’t expect the field to genuflect before Ariya. They’re coming for their own glory.
In-Gee Chun
Speaking of the field, top 10s were good for a couple of my favorites, Seoul Sisters In-Gee Chun and So-Yeon Ryu. However, it should have been better. Ryu is so talented, but is getting a reputation for faltering late in tournaments. In the same way that I worried about Jutanugarn getting over her mental block, I am concerned that the longer Ryu goes the greater the obstacle becomes. But also like May, I think if she can break through for her fourth LPGA win, more wins could quickly follow. I am less worried about In-Gee. It’s just a matter of time before Dumbo wins again. And again. And again. It was a fantastic showing for Australia’s Su Oh. In the past, Jutanugarn probably falters down the stretch and hands the 19-year old Oh the victory. Not this time. Su Oh will have her day in the winner’s circle…it will just be another day.
1 ARIYA JUTANUGARN (-14)
2 SU OH (-13)
T3 SEI-YOUNG KIM (-12)
T3 GERINA PILLER (-12)
Ariya Jutanugarn
Well, that was quick. It took a long time for the first official LPGA winner representing Thailand to be crowned. It only took until the following tournament for the next coronation. Second verse, same as the first. Ariya Jutanugarn made it back to back titles with a 14-under 1 shot victory at the 2016 Kingsmill Championship. This is right on the heels of her win at the last scheduled LPGA event, the 2016 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. After May won Yokohama, I wasn’t expecting a flood of wins to follow. In fact, after going back to Thailand in the LPGA’s off week prior to Kingsmill, I thought all the celebrations and honors might take a little something out of her. I wouldn’t have been shocked to see her miss the cut in Williamsburg. Both of Jutanugarn’s wins were impressive, particularly overcoming a few squirrely shots down the stretch. There were fewer of them this week than two weeks ago, but she did spray an approach shot on 18 to the far right front fringe of the green that had me sweating a bit. May got it up and down (with a lofted wedge on the first shot) to seal the deal. That was certainly a lot better than a missed cut!
Ariya Jutanugarn
The question is what are the expectations now for Ariya Jutanugarn. After Yokohama, I was conservative in what I envisioned for May, a top 10 Race to the CME Globe finish being satisfactory to me. That’s out the window now. Back to back wins turns up the pressure. But as sports pioneer Billie Jean King would say, pressure is a privilege. If nobody expects anything from you, it’s probably because you haven’t given them a reason. May turning her potential into titles is why much will be looked for from her going forward. That said, keep in mind the competition out there. Lydia Ko is the best in the world and has back to back wins this year. There are two other players, Haru Nomura and Ha-Na Jang, who have also notched their first two career LPGA wins this year. Don’t expect the field to genuflect before Ariya. They’re coming for their own glory.
In-Gee Chun
Speaking of the field, top 10s were good for a couple of my favorites, Seoul Sisters In-Gee Chun and So-Yeon Ryu. However, it should have been better. Ryu is so talented, but is getting a reputation for faltering late in tournaments. In the same way that I worried about Jutanugarn getting over her mental block, I am concerned that the longer Ryu goes the greater the obstacle becomes. But also like May, I think if she can break through for her fourth LPGA win, more wins could quickly follow. I am less worried about In-Gee. It’s just a matter of time before Dumbo wins again. And again. And again. It was a fantastic showing for Australia’s Su Oh. In the past, Jutanugarn probably falters down the stretch and hands the 19-year old Oh the victory. Not this time. Su Oh will have her day in the winner’s circle…it will just be another day.
1 ARIYA JUTANUGARN (-14)
2 SU OH (-13)
T3 SEI-YOUNG KIM (-12)
T3 GERINA PILLER (-12)