Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Preview & TV Schedule

The Tour is in Malaysia this week, the second stop on the six-event fall Asian Swing, for the 72-hole Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. A field of 75 professionals will compete for a share of a $2 million purse.

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The Venue

The 6,246-yard, par 71 parkland style track is a visual delight that will take players through challenging elevation changes that take full advantage of the natural terrain. Natural grasses an abundant wetlands surround the manicured fairways and greens, maintaining a natural habitat for indigenous wildlife and a tough challenge for players who stray from the short grass.

The Field

Lexi Thompson is the defending champion at the 5th edition of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Thompson, who followed up her 2013 victory with a win at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, has generally enjoyed a good 2014 season, although with the exception of her T10 finish at the Evian Championship in September her top-10 finishes and her win at the Kraft Nabisco Championship came in the first half of the season. Based on her performance over the past two months, I don’t see Thompson as a serious contender at the Sime Darby this year.

Among the top-10 in the world rankings, only Michelle Wie, who’s still recovering from a hand injury, and Inbee Park, who’s in the final stage of her wedding preparations, won’t be in the field. In addition to Thompson, this puts Stacy Lewis, Lydia Ko, Suzann Pettersen, Karrie Webb, So Yeon Ryu, Shanshan Feng and Anna Nordqvist in contention.

Stacy Lewis

World ranked number 1 Stacy Lewis will tee off looking for her 4th win this season and 4th ranked Suzann Pettersen will be playing equally hard for her first 2014 victory, as will Shanshan Feng. Hall of Famer Karrie Webb, with two 2014 victories and an additional 3 top-10 finishes, including runner-up at the Evian Championship, is always a threat when she’s in the field.

So Yeon Ryu and Anna Nordqvist both play a consistently competitive game and I count on them to challenge for the lead.

Mirim Lee

One of the most intriguing tournaments within the tournament will involve five youngsters, Lydia Ko, Mirim Lee, Xi Yu Lin, Ariya Jutanugarn and Charley Hull (Lin, Jutanugarn and Hull are playing on sponsor invitations). Ko and Lee, Tour rookies, are both coming into the Sime Darby with two 2014 victories and Lin put on a splendid display of her talent at the Portland Classic in September. Jutanugarn and Hull are both trying to play their way to 2015 Tour eligibility. All five are very talented young players and I relish the opportunity to see them playing in the same competition. I’m looking for Lee to outplay the other three.

Azahara Munoz. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

I’m putting Azahara Munoz on my radar for the Sime Darby. Munoz in teeing off fresh from her win at the LET Lacoste Ladies Open de France and while she’s still on the hunt for a 2014 LPGA victory, she’s come close several times. Early in the season she was twice runner-up, at the HSBC Women’s Champions and the JTBC Founders Cup, and she’s had two recent top-5 finishes, at the Wegman’s LPGA Championship and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. She’s due a win and the Sime Darby could be hers for the taking.

The Sime Darby field is peppered with strength outside this group, and given the number of first-time winners this season, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a new face hoisting the trophy on Sunday.

Media Coverage

Keeping in mind that Malaysia is 12 hours ahead of the US, Golf Channel will provide live daily coverage of the Sime Darby from Wednesday, October 8 – Saturday, October 11, 11pm-3am. Last week Golf Channel replayed the daily Reignwood LPGA Classic round in the afternoon. That replay option isn’t currently listed by LPGA announced the replays on Twitter @lpga, so follow LPGA or monitor your local broadcast schedule for late additions to the broadcast schedule.

Additionally, my colleagues and I at ProGolfNow will provide ongoing commentary and updates on the Sime Darby and other golf events. Follow me on Twitter @bethbethel and I’ll notify you when I publish commentary and updates for the tournament.

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