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Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic – Five Groups to Watch

By Elizabeth Bethel

PRATTVILLE, AL - AUGUST 30: Yani Tseng of Taiwan reacts after missing a birdie putt attempt on the 18th green during the final round of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill on August 30, 2015 in Prattville, United States. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
PRATTVILLE, AL - AUGUST 30: Yani Tseng of Taiwan reacts after missing a birdie putt attempt on the 18th green during the final round of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill on August 30, 2015 in Prattville, United States. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) /
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Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic
IRVING, TX – MAY 01: Gaby Lopez of Mexico hits her tee shot on the 14th hole during the final round of the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout at Las Colinas Country Club on May 1, 2016 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

These 5 groups in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic focus on some of the hottest players on the Tour this season.

Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic five players warmed up on Tuesday hitting golf balls through painted tires that looked remarkably like the Olympic Rings. It’s not quite as far-fetched as it initially appears. Twenty-eight players in the Yokohama Tire field representing 20 different countries would be qualified for their nations’ Olympic golf teams if today was the decision point.

Gaby Lopez (Mexico), Brittany Linciciome (USA), Mariajo Uribe (Columbia), Caroline Masson (Germany) and Stephanie Meadow (Ireland) accepted the “Global Tire Challenge” while quite a mob of schoolchildren looked on and probably dreamed about their own Olympic futures.

There’s a general Road to Rio anticipation building among Tour players. Gabby Lopez, who will likely play for Mexico, described her own excitement:

"“Oh my goodness, I can’t wait for the Olympics. I am counting the days.  I am very, very honored and pleased and very fortunate to have the experience and have the potential to be representing Mexico at one of the biggest events of athletes in the world, and I can’t describe the feeling and the excitement that I have to represent and wear the Mexican colors down in Rio.”"

With the fun and games of the Pro-Am finished, the 9th edition of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic can get down to some serious business. The Senator Course at Capitol Hill is in fine condition and the weather is going to be perfect for golf. There’s not a single rain drop in the forecast, the humidity will remain low and the winds light. The balls are going to fly high!

It’s a fine field. Past champions Mi Jung Hur (2014), Stacy Lewis (2012), Katherine Kirk (2010) and Maria McBride (2007) will be joining Kris Tamulis. Every one of them knows how to take control of the par-72 6,599-yard Capitol Hill track. 2016 champions Haru Nomur, Hyo Joo Kim, and Minjee Lee have already shown that they know how to close the deal; and there are a number of players in the Yokohama Tire field who are knocking on the door and eager to hoist a trophy.

These are the groups I’ll be watching through the first and second rounds.

Next: Group 13: Henderson, Nomura & Tamulis

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