A U.S. Women’s Open unlike any other commenced on a sun-splashed Thursday at Champions Golf Club. From a two-course setup – a first in the history of any USGA Open championship – to zero fans and the unusual December date, this 75th iteration of the oldest major in women’s golf has taken on a decidedly different motif.
When Minjee Lee first announced her presence at a USGA championship a decade ago by winning the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, she was asked by Golf Channel reporter Steve Burkowski if more USGA titles were in the offing. Her two-word answer: “I’m coming.” That might have sounded like bravado, but it turned out to be prophetic.
Fifteen years ago, as a 17-year-old amateur, Mina Harigae made her debut in the U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. While the week ended with a disappointing final-round 80, Harigae would use that experience to help her win the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links title a few weeks later and play on a victorious USA Curtis Cup Team the following year.
When she successfully defended her U.S. Women’s Open title in 2001 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Karrie Webb ran away from a stellar field to produce an eight-stroke victory. Now a fellow Australian with close ties to the World Golf Hall of Famer is threatening to do the same thing on the same Donald Ross layout in the 77th U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica.
Like a perfectly-timed finish by a thoroughbred racehorse, A Lim Kim delivered her challenge to storm to victory at the 75th U.S. Women’s Open. One moment she was two back from the leader and the next before Amy Olson and Jin Young Ko knew what had happened she had gone clear into an almost unassailable lead.
Was I surprised to hear that the BBC were going to assign highlights of the Women's Open to the graveyard slot on BBC 2? Not in the slightest. This so-called public broadcasters run by the liberal elite sitting in their ivory towers and spending almost £4 billion of our licence fee dosh deserted golf years ago.
The AIG Women’s British Open is now set to follow Woburn Golf Club with back to back regal courses with Royal Troon added to the Championship roster for 2020 and Royal Porthcawl confirmed for 2021. It seems therefore, that that we are set for some quality golf on iconic courses now that The R&A has taken over the women's home Championship.
It’s Manic Monday, so here is a very quick round up of all the results and stories from the weekend on the PGA Tour, European Tour, LPGA and Women’s European Tour.
What's floated our golf boat and upset us at day two of the AIG Women’s British Open. The GolfPunk team took to the fairways, well ok the path bits down the sides, to see what was good and bad on the Marquess course at Woburn Golf Club.
South African Ashleigh Buhai shot a seven-under-par opening 65 to lead the AIG Women’s British Open. However, home favourites Charlie Hull, Georgia Hall and Bronte Law gave the crowd something to cheer about on day one at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.
As majors go, the AIG Women’s British Open was a classic. Hinako Shibuno, the 20 year old Japanese rookie, who had never set foot in a tournament outside of her home country holed, in some style we might add, a 20ft putt on the 18th to secure the title. Just moments before Lizette Salas had missed a much shorter chance in front of an amazing crowd.
Maybe this whole “experience” thing is a bit overrated. This week at Champions Golf Club, Hinako Shibuno is doing her part to debunk that major-championship theory.
