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LPGA’s Fall Asian Swing – A Five-Event Snapshop

By Elizabeth Bethel

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Apr 4, 2015; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; Mi Hyang Lee tees off on the sixth hole during the third round of the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills CC – Dinah Shore Tournament Course. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, Mi Hyang Lee stuffed her approach shot on the fifth playoff hole for a tap-in birdie and victory at the Toto Japanese Classic and became the seventh 1st time winner of season, outlasting past LPGA winner Ilhee Lee and Kotono Kozuma of the JLPGA to claim the victory.

You couldn’t have asked for a more exciting wrap-up to the Tour’s fall Asian Swing. Mi Hyang Lee, Ilhee Lee and Kotono Kozuma went into the playoff tied at 11-under, 205, a stroke clear of a group of nine players who finished at 10-under, including Karrie Webb, Dame Laura Davies, Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda.

There’s every reason to expect that we’ll be treated to some similar competition again this year at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club, a beautiful track that winds around the Yokoyama Ise-Shima National Park and takes full advantage of the coastline and elevation changes to create some challenging opportunities for the players.

Players to Watch

All five of the Asian events carry 500 Race to the CME Globe points– 2500 points in all — and with Lydia Ko and Inbee Park going into the fall Asian tournaments separated by only 61 points in the year-long race, I’m looking for some intense competition between these two top players.

Stacy Lewis is trailing Ko, the leader in the Race, by 1160 points, a gap she could easily close with a pair of wins and 3 additional high finishes.  That’s not outside the realm of the possible for Lewis and she certainly knows how to play for the victory.

Coming in right behind Lewis, standout rookie Sie Young Kim and Lewis’s Solheim Cup teammate Lexi Thompson are also within striking distance, but they would both need to notch 3 wins before the end of the season to get there.

Media Coverage

Golf Channel will provide coverage of the Tour’s Fall Asian Swing although the broadcast hours could result in some sleep deprivation for US fans who don’t know how to set their DVDs to automatic record.  ProGolfNow will also provide ongoing updates and commentary on the events.  Follow us on Twitter @ProGolfNow and like our Facebook page to get notifications and updates.

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