LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship Preview & TV Schedule

China’s Shanshan Feng is riding high on her victory at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia last week as the Tour heads for South Korea and the 13th edition of the LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship, but Feng will face a strong and eager field of players ready to challenge any attempt she may make to add a second victory to her resume in as many weeks. Defending champion Amy Yang would like to make it two-in-a row at the Sky 72 Golf Club Ocean Course. Inbee Park, the new bride, and Lydia Ko, both have their eye on the top of the world rankings. Michelle Wie, Mo Martin and Cristie Kerr are all coming back from injuries and looking to put their games to the ultimate test.

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The South Koreans are enthusiastic golf fans and there is no shortage of South Korean players, in addition to Yang and Park, who will tee it up on Thursday with potentially winning games in their bags. In addition to two-time HanaBank Championship winner Na Yeon Choi (2009 & 2010), Evian Championship winner Hyo Joo Kim will be in the field, as will 7th ranked Canadian Pacific Women’s Open winner So Yeon Ryu and Chella Choi, who keeps getting closer to claiming her first pro victory. I have no doubt that every one of them will be playing for the top of the board at an event that’s been won by an Asian-born player for 11 of its 13 playings.

The Rolex Rankings Numbers Game

Inbee Park.

With world ranked number 1 Stacy Lewis taking the week off, the path to the top of the Rolex Rankings is clear for Lewis’s challengers, 2nd ranked Inbee Park and 3rd ranked Lydia Ko.

Inbee Park can re-take the top of the world rankings if: (1) she wins the HanaBank, or (2) she comes in runner-up, so long as Ko doesn’t win, or (3) she finishes in a 3-way tie for third, so long as Ko doesn’t win.

Park’s a superb competitor and will be playing on home ground before enthusiastic South Korean fans. She’s bringing 14 top-10 finishes to the HanaBank that include victories at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic and the Wegman’s LPGA Championship. Although she took a week off for her wedding, Park’s been playing strong since her LPGA Championship win. I’m looking for her to be a very strong contender this week.

Lydia Ko

Alternatively, Ko can take over the top of the world rankings this week if she wins the HanaBank and Park finishes in a three-way tie for 2nd place, or worse. With 11 top-10 finishes this season that include wins at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic and the Marathon Classic, Ko’s had a consistently strong game in her bag all season. In her last 4 events she’s finished inside the top-10 three times. A third victory this season is well within the realm of the possible for this talented teenage rookie, but I don’t think she can outplay Inbee Park on Park’s home ground.

Coming Back From Injuries

RICOH Women’s British Open winner Mo Martin hasn’t played competitively since the Wegman’s LPGA Championship in August. Martin’s been battling cartilage damage to her thumb and will be playing with a thumb splint.

Michelle Wie

Michelle Wie has been nursing a hand injury. Wie withdrew from the Evian Championship in September when she re-injured her hand. She’ll put her rehab efforts, which allowed her to also give some attention to a linger knee problem, to the test at the HanaBank Championship.

Cristie Kerr took a direct hit on her wrist from an errant tee shot during her Birdies for Breast Cancer charity event that left her with a bad bone bruise and took her out of competition for both the Reignwood LPGA Classic in China and the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia last week.

If Wie’s healthy, I’m looking for her to challenge Inbee Park for the top of the board, but she may be coming back to competition too soon.

New Faces on the Tour

Minjee Lee

In addition to Lydia Ko, three other young stars will be in the HanaBank Championship field: Hyo Joo Kim, whose win at the Evian has secured her place at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship; Ha-Na Jang, who has four KLPGA wins this season, leads the money list, and plans on attending final stage of Q School in December with hopes to play on the LPGA next season; and Minjee Lee, who’s played in 6 Tour events this year, made her pro debut at the Evian, and will also be attending the final stage of Q School in December.

Any one of these young stars could outplay the field. I’m keeping them all on my watch list for the HanaBank, and I’m going to underscore Minjee Lee’s name.

Media Coverage

Golf Channel will provide live coverage of all four rounds of the LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship. Keeping in mind that South Korea is 12 hours ahead of the US, first round live coverage will begin Wednesday, October 15, 11pm-3am. Second, third, and fourth round coverage, Thursday, October 16 – Saturday, October 18, will begin at 11:30pm-3am. For US fans, check your local listings for Golf Channel mid-day replays.

My colleagues and I at ProGolfNow will also provide ongoing commentary and updates on the HanaBank Championship and other news in women’s pro golf. Follow me on Twitter @bethbethel and I’ll notify you when I post news and commentary.

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