It’s been quite a life. From turning down Donald Trump to almost single-handedly saving the LPGA Tour, to major wins and a stint in an insane asylum. Finally, she is being inducted to the World Golf Hall Of Fame, amid strong rumours that Margot Robbie has agreed to play Jan in the movie story of her life.
Delay was the word of the day on Friday at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, but six-time LPGA Tour winner Danielle Kang wasn’t fazed a bit. The 30-year-old blitzed the field, carding a bogey-free, nine-under 63 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend.
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.
American Jessica Korda drained a 25-foot birdie on the first sudden-death playoff hole to defeat Danielle Kang and win the 2021 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
No one can ignore the terrible fires ravaging Australia and to help in the relief efforts of those affected by the fires, a number of LPGA players including the Korda sisters, Marina Alex, Australian Sarah Kemp and England’s Charlotte Thomas, have publicised that they will be making a donation.
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.
In Gee Chun is chasing her fourth major title after claiming a narrow lead after the second day of the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield. In blustery conditions over the East Lothian links, the Korean signed for a five-under-par 66 and a 36-hole total of eight-under-par 134.
Birthday girl, Ally McDonald grabbed her first LPGA Tour victory at the LPGA Drive On Championship at Reynolds Lake Oconee. The 28-year-old shot a final round three-under 69 to finish on sixteen-under-par and win by a single shot from world number five Danielle Kang. Mina Harigae of America and Spain's Carlota Ciganda shared the fourth spot after rounds of 67 and 69 respectively.
Little did she know it but Georgia Hall was leading the Cambia Portland Classic in Oregon by one shot as she headed down the final hole. Whether it would have made any difference had she known, we will never know but in the end, it was a happy ending for Hall. Commenting on the lack of leaderboards Hall said
For the second day running, Philippine teenager Yuka Saso produced a fantastic eight-under round of 64 to hold a two-shot halfway lead at the LPGA Tour's Lotte Championship. Saso held off a charging Lydia Ko, who shot a second-round nine under 63.
Twenty-year-old Ruoning Yin earned her first LPGA Tour victory at the DIO Implant LA Open after posting a one-under 70 round that was full of ups and downs.
