Na Yeon Choi Claims 1st Win of LPGA Season
The final holes of the Coates Golf Championship 4th round left me breathless! What an absolutely splendid way to open the LPGA’s 2015 season. These are some of the images I’ll savor for the next week: Ha Na Jang’s endearing smile that paired so perfectly with a very durable golf game; Inbee Park’s textbook perfect eagle that while too little, too late was nevertheless a reminder of her utter mastery of the game of golf; Jessica Korda’s heroic eagle attempt on the 18th hole that would have sent the tourney into a playoff; and Na Yeon Choi’s controlled and dignified playing of the 72nd hole, to claim her first victory since her 2012 wins at the US Women’s Open and the CME Group Titleholders.
More from Golf News
- Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
- Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
- Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
- 2023 Hero World Challenge Predictions: The Return Of Tiger Woods?
- RSM Classic Brings the controversial 2023 PGA Tour Season to a close
A South Korean Resurgence?
In the flush of Lydia Ko’s historic ascent to the top of the Rolex Rankings, certainly no small individual accomplishment and, to be sure, proper recognition of Ko’s superb athletic talents, it’s tempting to downplay Na Yeaon Choi’s stunning victory at the Coates Golf Championship, and to neglect the significance of Ha Na Jang’s play over the past four days, or Amy Yang’s extraordinary performance.
Choi delivered a simply superb game of golf at the Coates Golf Championship, four steady sub-par rounds delivered with steely focus and, when Lydia Ko stumbled on the 17th and left her the opening she needed, Choi calmly and deliberately played her way to a one shot victory.
I see both Jang and Yang as players who are standing alongside Na Yeon Choi and Inbee Park in terms of talent and likely will be demanding their own recognition in the coming months.
Ha Na Jang started her rookie year on the Tour with a big bang! World ranked at 21st, the six-time KLPGA winner earned her spot at the Coates Championship at the qualifier, and ended her first Tour event with a check for $100K, more than enough money in the bank to take a pleasant run through Abercrombie. I saw a golfer who’s confident, skilled, and more than ready to take her place on golf’s big stage.
Amy Yang, who’s ranked just below Jang, at 23rd, is starting her 8th year of the Tour. She’s been a steady player who hasn’t gotten onto the front page of the leaderboard very often — her only Tour win came at the 2013 LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship — but she has a consistently solid game. If she’s found her groove, and that would appear to have been the case on the Golden Ocala track, I’ll look for Yang to move into contention for the top of the board this season.
Strong Starts by US Players
Four US players finished the Coates Golf Championship on the front page of the leaderboard.
I feel like I’m playing a major. It’s incredible. First tournament of the season. Stands are full, fairways are full. – Jessica Korda
Jessica Korda, who tends to start her season with a punch, didn’t disappoint. She made a fine showing this week at the season-opener with a 72nd hole blast that almost sent the tournament into a playoff, and while she’s likely not as satisfied with a tied runner-up finish as she would have been with a win, I’m looking for Korda to be in contention again next week when she defends her title at the
.
Allison Walshe is probably euphoric with her 6th place finish. Walshe, who’s ranked 179th and starting her fifth year on the Tour still looking for that first win, got off to a slow start but then delivered three sub-par rounds. I’d like to see some more of that game.
Brittany Lang, who finished right below Walshe in 7th place, is likely to be feeling pleased with her performance at the Coates Championship as well. The 66th ranked Lang hasn’t seen a win since the 2012 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. Lang’s played on three USA Solheim Cup teams and if she wants Juli Inkster to take a look at her for 2015 she’s going to need to get on the first page of the leaderboard and stay there.
Stacy Lewis, who started the final round at the Coates Championship with a clear view of the top of the board, struggled through the round. Lewis never got her putter dialed in, carded a final round of 75, and finished the tournament T10th, alongside Ariya Jutanugarn. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that a bad day for Stacy Lewis is a good day for Ariya Jutanugarn!