[rodney_c]

Originally Posted by wazmankg

Why do you think Mirayato will draw a big crowd? I know she won the Q school, but do you really think that's going to translate into greater fan interest ?

She is the biggest golf star in Japan, far bigger than any of the men.
Allegedly there is a massive media frenzy that follows her whereever she plays.

[drstroud]

Originally Posted by rodney_c

NEWS UPDATE

They are teeing off in just groups of 2.

Michelle Wie is paired with Ai Mirayato. These two players should have the biggest galleries by far, and so you would wonder why they are paired together.
Would it not have been better to have at 2 larger sized galleries as opposed to bringing the two sets of fans together?

You mean Ai Miyazato.

[rodney_c]

Originally Posted by drstroud

You mean Ai Miyazato.

yes.

[rodney_c]

An early leaderboard:

1 Lorena Ochoa -5 9# -5
2 Michelle Wie -4 11 -4
T3 Brittany Lang -3 15# -3
T3 *Angela Park -3 15 -3
T3 Seon Hwa Lee -3 14 -3

It should be noted that Annika, Paula and many others were yet to start when this at that point.
I'm glad Wie appears to have started well for a 2nd tournament in a row.

[bogiedreamer]

Rodney,

Do you have driving distance and other stats for Michelle? The LPGA doesn't post her stats for this tournament.

I didn't know that Michelle Wie's odd to win the tournament is 20/1. I think it is a good bet. Too bad, I have an account at Bodog and they don't have LPGA betting.

[rodney_c]

Originally Posted by bogiedreamer

Rodney,

Do you have driving distance and other stats for Michelle? The LPGA doesn't post her stats for this tournament.

I didn't know that Michelle Wie's odd to win the tournament is 20/1. I think it is a good bet. Too bad, I have an account at Bodog and they don't have LPGA betting.

Funnily enough, the bookmaker I have an account with doesn't have odds on this either. The odds are from Ladbrokes bookmakers.

As regards the stats, I am only able to get them for non-lpga players after the tournament. So I won't be able to post them until after the tournament.
I can give you one stat for Michelle Wie in this tournament for Round 1.

Greens in Regulation = 100%.
Yes, she hit all 18 greens in regulation.

[Fileygolfer]

Wow! what an opening day.

Ochoa 62 (-10) at least 4 shots clear.
Wie 66
Creamer looks like 69
Anika and Morgan level.

Here in the UK it is said that The Golf Channel is the home of the LPGA but they are not showing this Tournament.

[ErikGalindo]

Originally Posted by rodney_c

Greens in Regulation = 100%.
Yes, she hit all 18 greens in regulation.

Good job on the bag League!

[jcbrowns]

I may get thrashed for saying this but I enjoy watching the women on t.v. more than the men. I never have been to a womens tourney in person so I can't compare them to that. First, the women (some of them are something to look at, and they play like the most of us. Meaning, they are not hitting bombs for drives, and I don't think they are the best putters around. So I can identify their games to our games. I'm not saying they stink it up like the most of us, but it's nice to see some golf that is not perfect. The LPGA needs these young up and comers Wie, Creamer, Pressel. Because some of these women aren't super models or anything. It's a shame but for people to take notice of womens sports you need some sex appeal. I know these girls are a bit young but as they get older you need attractive AND gifted women for people to take notice. It's a shame, but that's the way it is. I may have went off the topic of this thread but I couldn't stop. Annika's gonna win! By the way, to make my point more clearly, do you think the big break shows that have women in them would be as big if the women weren't very attractive at all? Making calendars in their bikinis etc. I didn't think so. It's a shame but it is what it is.

[rodney_c]

TOURNAMENT UPDATE

After round 1, Ochoa, world ranked number 6, leads at -10.
In 2nd position, at -6 is some unranked player called Michelle Wie.
Creamer is aquiting herself well in a tie for 5th with Pressel at -3.
Sorrenstam, the world number 1, is only at -1, but if Ochoa can shoot a 62, maybe Annika can do it as well. Somehow though, I don't think this is Annika's tournament.

Wie has an excellent chance and is playing well. If Ochoa keeps going though, we should all applaud her for it.

By the way, the world number 3, Yuri Fudoh, is at +3 in a tie for 60th place. Perhaps people who complain about Wie's ranking should take note of some other players ranking positions.

[wazmankg]

Originally Posted by rodney_c

TOURNAMENT UPDATE

After round 1, Ochoa, world ranked number 6, leads at -10.
In 2nd position, at -6 is some unranked player called Michelle Wie.
Creamer is aquiting herself well in a tie for 5th with Pressel at -3.
Sorrenstam, the world number 1, is only at -1, but if Ochoa can shoot a 62, maybe Annika can do it as well. Somehow though, I don't think this is Annika's tournament.

Wie has an excellent chance and is playing well. If Ochoa keeps going though, we should all applaud her for it.

By the way, the world number 3, Yuri Fudoh, is at +3 in a tie for 60th place. Perhaps people who complain about Wie's ranking should take note of some other players ranking positions.

I'm rooting for Michelle too rodney, but perhaps we should wait a couple of days before we start up with the "I told you so's".

[billybogey5 1/2]

Originally Posted by wazmankg

I'm rooting for Michelle too rodney, but perhaps we should wait a couple of days before we start up with the "I told you so's".

Agreed.. I like reading all the fresh data that rodney is coming up with... but golf is not an in-your-face game.

That's all.. carry on..

[rodney_c]

Originally Posted by wazmankg

I'm rooting for Michelle too rodney, but perhaps we should wait a couple of days before we start up with the "I told you so's".

couple = 2.
Maybe we should go the whole hog and wait 3 days.

[davehowe]

Must be playing really tough today. Lot's of high numbers and only a handful of players able to shoot under par. If Wie can shoot 2 under or better, she'll be solidly in 2nd place or better, based on how things are shaping up right now. Is it windy today or something?

[wazmankg]

Even par for Annika today. Unless some of these gals start backing up in a hurry, she can forget it this week.