LPGA
Evian Masters - Swing the World
To celebrate the opening of the Evian Masters’ official YouTube channel, they are launching a special event: Swing the World!
They want to see people from all around the world swinging in front of a monument, a symbol or characteristic landscape of the place where you are from. On your next walk, your next hike, with or without your golf club… swing!
You can film your swing with a camera or your cell phone. The video should last 15 to 30 seconds, and the place where you are should be recognizable at first glance. Once you're done send it to Michael Sayarath. msayarath@evianmasters.com
On Other Tours: Hedwall wins on LET
Untitled Document
Hedwall wins Allianz Ladies Slovak Open
Article courtesy of Ladies European Tour
29th May 2011 - Swedish rookie Caroline Hedwall secured her first Ladies European Tour title at the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open.
The 22-year-old from Barsebäck totalled 11 under par 205 in the event, which was shortened to 54 holes after storms.
Hedwall, who had played eight holes of her third round on Saturday, completed a round of 67 in sunshine at Gray Bear Golf Club in Tále on Sunday. She started out with three straight birdies from the ninth and added another at the par-four 15th hole.
The former NCAA champion finished two strokes ahead of Christel Boeljon from the Netherlands, who shot a career-low eight under par 64. English rookie Rachel Jennings finished in third on seven under par.
Hedwall, who won her first professional tournament at the Women's NSW Open in Australia in January, said that she felt confident, but was surprised to win on the LET so early in the season, in only her eighth start as a member.
"I kind of knew that if I played really well I could have a shot but this early I couldn't dream of. It's a dream come true. I'm a rookie on tour and it feels amazing to have won already. It's a great feeling," said Hedwall, who won the LET's Final Qualifying School at La Manga Club in Spain in December. She was one of the top three 'Henderson Rookies' to earn sponsorship from Henderson Global Investors.
"I got off to a really good start, I made three birdies in a row and I kind of felt that it was my day. I just kept on playing my game and it felt good.
"I thought yesterday that I had a good shot at winning but when I hit my drive on the fairway on number 18 I felt pretty confident that I could just hit it up there in two shots and four-putt and still win. That's when I thought I had actually won the tournament.
"I'm excited because this win will give me a spot in the Evian and the British so I'm excited to play those events."
Hedwall thanked her mother, Yvonne, who acted as her caddie, her swing coach, Johan Andersson, her mental coach Susanne Pettersson and her strength trainer, Dan Salemonsson, for their parts in helping her to earn the €52,500 first prize.
Boeljon, who was also a 'Henderson Rookie' two years ago, continued her fine run of form with four birdies completing her round of eight under par on the last day.
"I was on the 11th fairway and birdied the 11th straight away. I was off to a good start and I played really solid," she said.
"I finished with three birdies so that was a great finish to my round and I'm very happy with second. To shoot eight under in your final round, I would have taken that any day. I didn't think I would get that close."
Jennings, who shot a final round of 74, said: "I've had a few good finishes and that's my first top five. I've learned that I can compete. I was in the final group and I held my own.
"I suppose I am disappointed and happy. I've got Vienna off b
ShopRite LPGA Classic Tournament Preview
The LPGA Tour begins a significant stretch of summer tournaments this week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. The Bay Course at the Seaview Dolce Resort once again plays host to the $1.5 million event and a star-studded field of past champions and global stars. Japan’s Ai Miyazato returns to the site of her fifth career LPGA victory hoping to be the first player in 2011 to successfully defend a title. Miyazato’s two-shot victory over M.J. Hur in 2010 propelled her to Rolex Rankings No. 1, a position she held for 11 weeks throughout last season. Currently No. 7, she joins a cast of characters chasing current No. 1 Yani Tseng this week.
Tseng’s biggest challenger comes in the form of Sybase Match Play Championship winner Suzann Pettersen, currently No. 2 in the Rolex Rankings. Pettersen sits 1.33 average points behind Tseng in the race to be the world’s best and hopes to build off the momentum she created by defeating Cristie Kerr in the final round of Sybase, played two hours north on the Garden State Parkway. Both Kerr and Pettersen teed it up last week at the unofficial money HSBC Brasil Cup, won by Mariajo Uribe. The Columbian will be in the field this week looking to earn her first official LPGA victory.
This week’s field includes past ShopRite LPGA Classic champions Seon Hwa Lee (2006), Kerr (2004), Angela Stanford (2003), Se Ri Pak (1999), and Juli Inkster (1986, 1988), as well as all 2011 LPGA Tour winners.
HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup - Final-Round Notes and Interviews
Untitled Document
HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2011
Itanhanga Golf Club
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Final-round notes and interviews
May 29, 2011
Mariajo Uribe (-9, Rolex Rankings No. 160)
Uribe comes from behind to win third-annual HSBC Brasil Cup 2011. Mariajo Uribe entered Sunday's final round at Itanhanga Golf Club two-strokes behind first round leader, Heather Bowie-Young. Uribe quickly gained the lead with a birdie on the par-four fifth and held on to claim the $108,000 first-place check and take home her first-ever unofficial money win on the LPGA Tour. The Colombian recorded rounds of 69-66 to finish one-stroke ahead of Lindsey Wright.
In just her second year on the LPGA Tour, Uribe finished runner-up at last year's HSBC Brasil Cup after coming up short in a six-hole playoff with Meaghan Francella. She becomes the third champion of the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup following Meaghan Francella's win in 2010 and Catriona Matthew in 2009.
Board the birdie train! Mariajo Uribe's final-round six-under par was the best round of the day. Uribe recorded an impressive six birdies and zero bogeys to record her lowest round on the LPGA Tour.
Low Brazilian. Porto Alegre native Luciana Bemvenuti fired a final-round 7-over par 79 to finish ahead of fellow Brazilians Maria Iida and Victory Lovelady. Bemventui was the first Brazilian to compete on the LPGA Tour and recorded a career-best tie for fourth at the 1998 Longs Drugs Challenge. Bemvenuti finished this week's unofficial tied for 26th.
Tuning up for next week. While the LPGA Tour will be in Atlantic City, New Jersey for the Shoprite LPGA Classic, the LPGA Futures Tour will be in Marion, Iowa for the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge. Paz Echevarria fired rounds of 70-72 to finish in a tie for 11th while Victoria Lovelady finished 29th and Sofi Toccafondi finished 30th. Both Echevarria and Tocafondi are scheduled to compete in next week's Ladies Titan Tire Challenge.
Of note… Defending champion Meaghan Francella tied for 19th at 2-over-par…Due to an increased amount of rain, 18th was moved from a par-4 to a par-three for the second consecutive day.
Mariajo Uribe, Rolex Rankings No. 160
Moderator: I'd like to welcome HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2011 champion Mariajo Uribe. Mariajo, great playing, you played extremely well today. Can you tell me a little bit about how you felt out there today?
Mariajo Uribe: I knew I had to go out there today and take advantage of the par-fives. I just went out and had a good start birding five of the seven holes. I was really excited, I just tried to keep my mind in the present and tried to keep playing how I was playing.
Itanhanga Golf Club
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Final-round notes and interviews
May 29, 2011
Mariajo Uribe (-9, Rolex Rankings No. 160)
Uribe comes from behind to win third-annual HSBC Brasil Cup 2011. Mariajo Uribe entered Sunday's final round at Itanhanga Golf Club two-strokes behind first round leader, Heather Bowie-Young. Uribe quickly gained the lead with a birdie on the par-four fifth and held on to claim the $108,000 first-place check and take home her first-ever unofficial money win on the LPGA Tour. The Colombian recorded rounds of 69-66 to finish one-stroke ahead of Lindsey Wright.
In just her second year on the LPGA Tour, Uribe finished runner-up at last year's HSBC Brasil Cup after coming up short in a six-hole playoff with Meaghan Francella. She becomes the third champion of the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup following Meaghan Francella's win in 2010 and Catriona Matthew in 2009.
Board the birdie train! Mariajo Uribe's final-round six-under par was the best round of the day. Uribe recorded an impressive six birdies and zero bogeys to record her lowest round on the LPGA Tour.
Low Brazilian. Porto Alegre native Luciana Bemvenuti fired a final-round 7-over par 79 to finish ahead of fellow Brazilians Maria Iida and Victory Lovelady. Bemventui was the first Brazilian to compete on the LPGA Tour and recorded a career-best tie for fourth at the 1998 Longs Drugs Challenge. Bemvenuti finished this week's unofficial tied for 26th.
Tuning up for next week. While the LPGA Tour will be in Atlantic City, New Jersey for the Shoprite LPGA Classic, the LPGA Futures Tour will be in Marion, Iowa for the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge. Paz Echevarria fired rounds of 70-72 to finish in a tie for 11th while Victoria Lovelady finished 29th and Sofi Toccafondi finished 30th. Both Echevarria and Tocafondi are scheduled to compete in next week's Ladies Titan Tire Challenge.
Of note… Defending champion Meaghan Francella tied for 19th at 2-over-par…Due to an increased amount of rain, 18th was moved from a par-4 to a par-three for the second consecutive day.
Mariajo Uribe, Rolex Rankings No. 160
Moderator: I'd like to welcome HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2011 champion Mariajo Uribe. Mariajo, great playing, you played extremely well today. Can you tell me a little bit about how you felt out there today?
Mariajo Uribe: I knew I had to go out there today and take advantage of the par-fives. I just went out and had a good start birding five of the seven holes. I was really excited, I just tried to keep my mind in the present and tried to keep playing how I was playing.
HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup - First-Round Notes and Interviews
Shooting a six-under par 66, Heather Bowie-Young leads by two shots after the first round of the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2011. The LPGA veteran recorded eight birdies and two bogies en route to a first-round six-under par 66.
HSBC Brasil Cup Pre-tournament Notes and Interviews
Untitled Document
HSBC Brasil Cup 2011
Itanhanga Golf Club
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Pre-tournament Notes and Interviews
May 27, 2011
LPGA returns to Rio de Janeiro. The LPGA returns to Itanhanga Golf Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the third annual HSBC Brasil Cup. An international field of 30 players will compete across 36 holes for a $720,000, unofficial money purse and a first-place prize of $108,000.
Headlining the field this week are defending champion Meaghan Francella, Rolex Rankings No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Cristie Kerr. Last year, Francella defeated Maria Jose Uribe in a six-hole playoff to secure her second LPGA victory. Also playing this week is 2009 HSBC Brazil Cup Champion, Catriona Matthew.
They're coming home! Brazilians Luciana Bemvenuti, Maria Iida and Victoria Lovelady head into the week as the hometown favorites. Bemvenuti, the first Brazilian to compete on the LPGA Tour, is from Porto Alegre located 697 miles from Rio de Janiero. Her career-best finish on the LPGA came when she finished tied for fourth at the 1998 Longs Drug Challenge. Lovelady and Iida are both natives of Sao Paulo, Brazil, located about 250 miles from Rio de Janeiro. Iida finished 25th at the 2010 HSBC Brasil Cup while Alimonda will play in her first LPGA event.
LPGA Futures Tour represented in Rio. The LPGA Futures Tour will be represented this week by Alimonda of Brazil, Paz Echevarria of Chile and Sofi Toccafondi of Argentina. Both Echevarria and Toccafondi are rookies this year while Echevarria is in her second season on the Futures Tour.
The trio will compete alongside 19 LPGA Futures Tour alumnae including defending champion, Meaghan Francella.
Fun in the Sun. Coming off impressive finishes last week, Rolex Rankings No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and No. 4 Cristie Kerr traded in the short grass for the sand of Rio de Janeiro's Botafogo Beach located at the foot of the infamous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Pettersen and Kerr spent Thursday morning sipping fruit juice, lounging in beach chairs and exchanging bunker tips before they tee it up at this week's 36-hole unofficial LPGA event.
Rolex Rankings No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Cristie Kerr
Q. What's your first impression of the course? Have you practiced on the course?
Suzann Pettersen: I played the back 9 yesterday and I thought the course was great. It is challenging, you have to shape the ball off the tee and there are good, long par fours and par fives that you can potentially reach in two. It's in great shape, hopefully the rain wont make it too wet. I'm looking forward to play.
Cristie Kerr: I played the front nine yesterday and I liked the course very much. Like Suzann said there are some challenging tee shots. I told my caddy Jason it reminds me of a course I grew up playing in Miami. It just felt very familiar to me so I'm hoping to have a good tournament.
Q. What would you like to improve or change in your swing?
Suzann Pettersen: I feel like my swing is very good at the moment. I've been working hard the last three years to make improvements. Right now I think I'm in a place I'm starting to own my own feels which ideally is where you want it to go.
Q. How do you feel in Brazil? What's your expectation for 2016?
Cristie Kerr: I definitely want to come back
Get to know Sandra Gal
Learn more about Sandra Gal who won the 2011 Kia Classic back in March. Gal shares her first golf memory and who would play in her dream foursome.
The Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund receives $200,000
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Marilynn Smith
Scholarship doubles in size from 2010
Daytona Beach, Fla., May 27, 2011 - When LPGA legend Marilynn Smith, Founding Member of the LPGA in 1950 and Hall of Famer, met Vivian Bucknam, she couldn't imagine the profound impact that Bucknam would have on her life and the game of golf. Bucknam recently passed away at the age of 92 leaving behind $200,000 to go to the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund.
"We couldn't imagine a better time than Memorial Day Weekend to recognize Vivian Bucknam and her generous donation," said Carol Corcoran, LPGA Foundation President. "Vivian clearly was inspired by Marilynn Smith, who is an incredible role model for all of us. Her commitment to the game continues to be an inspiration."
An avid golf fan, Bucknam frequently traveled to several LPGA tournaments to catch a first-hand glimpse of Smith and Sandra Post. It wasn't until one morning while having breakfast at the host hotel of an LPGA tournament that she would form a lifelong friendship with Smith.
Learn how Theresa Apoznanski of NYU put Marilynn Smith's Scholarship to good use. More >> "She was always supportive of me and making money for the golf scholarship fund," said Smith of Bucknam. "She wanted to make sure that girls were able to go to college."
Known on tour as Ms. Personality, Smith's engaging and charismatic personality has allowed her to continue impacting the game of golf through her scholarship and the Marilynn Smith LPGA Charity Golf Classic. The $200,000 given to the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund will allow a significant increase in the amount of scholarships and money awarded to high school seniors who will be playing golf at the collegiate level.
This year, Smith will put Bucknam's money to good use by doubling the amount from previous years to award 10 scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each. This will allow more high school seniors the opportunity to get a college education while playing golf at the collegiate level.
Last year, the five recipients of the $5,000 scholarships were Emily Frosaker (Concordia College), Chelsea Hardsall (Millikin University), Michelle Hartenstein (Wake Forest University), Mallory Kirkland (Maryville College) and Georgiana Salant (Williams College).
Daytona Beach, Fla., May 27, 2011 - When LPGA legend Marilynn Smith, Founding Member of the LPGA in 1950 and Hall of Famer, met Vivian Bucknam, she couldn't imagine the profound impact that Bucknam would have on her life and the game of golf. Bucknam recently passed away at the age of 92 leaving behind $200,000 to go to the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund.
"We couldn't imagine a better time than Memorial Day Weekend to recognize Vivian Bucknam and her generous donation," said Carol Corcoran, LPGA Foundation President. "Vivian clearly was inspired by Marilynn Smith, who is an incredible role model for all of us. Her commitment to the game continues to be an inspiration."
An avid golf fan, Bucknam frequently traveled to several LPGA tournaments to catch a first-hand glimpse of Smith and Sandra Post. It wasn't until one morning while having breakfast at the host hotel of an LPGA tournament that she would form a lifelong friendship with Smith.
Learn how Theresa Apoznanski of NYU put Marilynn Smith's Scholarship to good use. More >> "She was always supportive of me and making money for the golf scholarship fund," said Smith of Bucknam. "She wanted to make sure that girls were able to go to college."
Known on tour as Ms. Personality, Smith's engaging and charismatic personality has allowed her to continue impacting the game of golf through her scholarship and the Marilynn Smith LPGA Charity Golf Classic. The $200,000 given to the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund will allow a significant increase in the amount of scholarships and money awarded to high school seniors who will be playing golf at the collegiate level.
This year, Smith will put Bucknam's money to good use by doubling the amount from previous years to award 10 scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each. This will allow more high school seniors the opportunity to get a college education while playing golf at the collegiate level.
Last year, the five recipients of the $5,000 scholarships were Emily Frosaker (Concordia College), Chelsea Hardsall (Millikin University), Michelle Hartenstein (Wake Forest University), Mallory Kirkland (Maryville College) and Georgiana Salant (Williams College).
Rookie Belen Mozo recreates shot for Golf Channel
Rookie Belen Mozo was on the course with Golf Channel during the final match at the Sybase Match Play Championship to recreate a tough bunker shot previously hit by Cristie Kerr.
HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup: Fun in the Sun
Coming off impressive finishes at last week’s Sybase Match Play Championship, Rolex Rankings No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Cristie Kerr are set to compete at this week’s HSBC Brasil Cup. On Thursday, the two fierce competitors traded in the short grass for the sand of Rio de Janeiro’s Botafogo Beach located at the foot of the infamous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Pettersen and Kerr spent the morning sipping fruit juice, lounging in beach chairs and exchanging bunker tips before this week’s 36-hole unofficial LPGA event.
A field of 30 players will tee it up at Itanhanga Golf Club outside Rio this weekend at the third-annual HSBC Brasil Cup. Joining Pettersen and Kerr will be defending champion Meaghan Francella, 2010 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Azahara Munoz and 2011 Avnet LPGA Classic winner Maria Hjorth. Stay tuned to LPGA.com for live scoring on Saturday and Sunday.
Cristie Kerr attends Wegmans LPGA Championship Media Day
Defending champion Cristie Kerr returned to Locust Hill Country Club on Monday for Wegmans LPGA Championship media day. On the heels of her runner-up finish the day before at the Sybase Match Play Championship, Kerr met with the media and filmed promotional messages for the tournament. In conjunction with the Graduation is the Goal charity effort that the tournament leads, Kerr also met with children from Rochester schools to provide golf lessons and life advice.
“I would like to defend my title (at the Wegmans LPGA Championship),” said Kerr, who won by a record 12 shots last year in Rochester. “I’m going to try to follow up what I did last year, but not put too much pressure on myself.”
The Wegmans LPGA Championship marks the 35th year of the LPGA at Locust Hill Country Club. On Monday, the tournament also unveiled plans for the Verizon Phone Zone, which allows fans to bring their cellular phones to the golf course for use in designated locations.
Creamer attends U.S. Women's Open Media Day
Paula Creamer made a visit to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado for the 2011 U.S. Women's Open media day. Creamer had a special entrance planned but because of the weather her attempt to skydive and land at the golf course was canceled. Creamer did share that her caddie Collin Cann was on Annika Sorenstam's bag when she won at The Broadmoor and that her U.S. Women's Open trophy has a special place on her kitchen table.
Defending Champion Wie confirmed for CN Canadian Women's Open
DEFENDING CHAMPION MICHELLE WIE ALONG WITH YANI TSENG, SUZANN PETTERSEN AND CRISTIE KERR CONFIRMED FOR 2011 CN CANADIAN WOMEN'S OPEN
CN Miracle Match fundraising campaign launched in support of Montreal Children's Hospital and Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation Volunteers needed — be a part of Canada's only LPGA Tour event
Mirabel, Que. (Golf Canada) – CN and Golf Canada are pleased to announce that five of the top 10 players on the LPGA Tour's Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings have confirmed their intention to challenge for the $2.25 million (all figures US) purse at the 2011 CN Canadian Women's Open being held August 22-28 at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club.
Leading the way is defending champion Michelle Wie, currently the 10th ranked player in the world. Wie, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour, had eight top-10 finishes in 2010 highlighted by her victory at the 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg.
Wie will be joined by a pair of former CN Canadian Women's Open champions — world No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and world No. 4 Cristie Kerr. Pettersen is a seven-time winner on the LPGA Tour including the 2009 CN Canadian Women's Open while Kerr's victory at the 2006 CN Canadian Women's Open was one of 14 career LPGA Tour victories. This past weekend, Pettersen defeated Kerr in the finals of the Sybase Match Play Championship to move from No. 3 to No. 2 on the LPGA Tour's Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings.
Also confirming her intention to compete is world No. 1 Yani Tseng, a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour and a three-time major winner. Tseng is a winner of both the 2008 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award and the 2010 Rolex Player of the Year Award. In 2007, Tseng won a CN Canadian Women's Tour event to earn an exemption into the 2007 CN Canadian Women's Open where she eventually finished tied for sixth.
Tseng, Pettersen, Kerr and Wie will be joined at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club by a trio of previously confirmed stars — world No. 3 Jiyai Shin and world No. 11 Paula Creamer as well as fan favourite Christina Kim.
“Three months out from the championship, we are very pleased with how our field is coming together and expect that all of the world's best players will be at Hillsdale,” said Sean Van Kesteren, Tournament Director, CN Canadian Women's Open. “Yani Tseng, Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen and Cristie Kerr are tremendous talents and I'm sure together with Paula Creamer, Jiyai Shin and Christina Kim will be among the crowd favourites during this year's championship.”
A field of 156 competitors will vie for the $2.25 million CN Canadian Women's Open. The deadline for players to confirm their intention to compete at the 2011 CN Canadian Women's Open in Mirabel, Que. is Tuesday, August 16.
Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp, Samantha Richdale, Lisa Meldrum and LPGA rookie Stephanie Sherlock will also compete at Hillsdale this August and look to become the first Canadian to win an LPGA Tour event on home soil since Jocelyne Bourassa did in 1973. Oakville, Ont., native Jessica Shepley will also compete for the national title after earning an exemption last week with her victory at the CN Canadian Women's Tour event in Squamish, B.C. Additional Canadian competitors will be announced in the coming weeks.
CN MIRACLE MATCH PROGRA
For the Love of the Fans: Morgan Pressel
May 24, 2011
LPGA –
My wife and I are parents of a six year old girl, Samantha, who attended the Sybase Match Play Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in New Jersey last year. It was Thursday morning and we arrived as Morgan Pressel was coming up the 10th fairway. We followed Morgan’s twosome to the 11th tee where Morgan waved to Samantha and proceeded to interact with her for the remainder of her match where Morgan won on the 19th hole. After the match, Morgan gave Samantha an autographed golf ball. It meant so much to my daughter that she wanted to return the next day to follow her new friend Morgan. We arrived the next day as Morgan was teeing off on seven. Upon seeing Sam, Morgan said “my little buddy is here, great!” We then followed Morgan for the rest of her match, which she unfortunately lost. After her match, Morgan was visibly upset, but still took time to find Samantha in the crowd. She then gave her an autographed glove and asked Sam for a consoling hug. Because of how great Morgan was with Samantha, we traveled to the Shop Rite Classic two weeks later to see her again. For the following year, Samantha repeatedly asked “when is Morgan coming back to New Jersey?”
So…….
Last week the Sybase Match Play Championship was back at Hamilton Farm. Unfortunately, we could not attend on Thursday and Morgan lost her match. To our surprise, we realized that Morgan was playing on Friday on the par three course in a friendly match with Sybase executives. We rushed to pick up Samantha at school and we caught up with Morgan on the 7th hole. Morgan graciously greeted Samantha, commented on how tall she had gotten and gave her a hug. That one minute exchange was what Samantha had been waiting for – and, as parents, made the trip worthwhile in its own right. What transpired next went above and beyond our wildest imagination. Morgan asked her playing partner, Azahara Muñoz and the Sybase executives if Sam could join them inside the ropes. They graciously agreed and Samantha proceeded to walk the remaining 10 holes along with the players and their caddies. Morgan taught Sam how to read putts, let her carry her putter, shared her snacks with her, and talked with her about their favorite princesses and colors. It was absolutely the moment of a lifetime, especially for a six year old who loves the game of golf.
This may happen more often than we realize. However, we were so overcome with Morgan’s sincere and positive attitude that we wanted to share this story with the LPGA. We don’t know of many professional athletes that would lose an important match and then go out of their way to spend quality time with a young fan.
We, as parents, are so proud of who our daughter has chosen as her role model. Morgan is a true professional and a genuine person. She clearly has the interest of the LPGA and her young fans top of mind. With role models like Morgan, interest in ladies golf is sure to continue to grow and attract future superstars.
Jeff and Kerry Bryan
Tewksbury, NJ
If you have a positive story to tell, feel free to email it to
For the Love of the Fans - Morgan Pressel
May 24, 2011
LPGA –
My wife and I are parents of a six year old girl, Samantha, who attended the Sybase Match Play Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in New Jersey last year. It was Thursday morning and we arrived as Morgan Pressel was coming up the 10th fairway. We followed Morgan’s twosome to the 11th tee where Morgan waved to Samantha and proceeded to interact with her for the remainder of her match where Morgan won on the 19th hole. After the match, Morgan gave Samantha an autographed golf ball. It meant so much to my daughter that she wanted to return the next day to follow her new friend Morgan. We arrived the next day as Morgan was teeing off on seven. Upon seeing Sam, Morgan said “my little buddy is here, great!” We then followed Morgan for the rest of her match, which she unfortunately lost. After her match, Morgan was visibly upset, but still took time to find Samantha in the crowd. She then gave her an autographed glove and asked Sam for a consoling hug. Because of how great Morgan was with Samantha, we traveled to the Shop Rite Classic two weeks later to see her again. For the following year, Samantha repeatedly asked “when is Morgan coming back to New Jersey?”
So…….
Last week the Sybase Match Play Championship was back at Hamilton Farm. Unfortunately, we could not attend on Thursday and Morgan lost her match. To our surprise, we realized that Morgan was playing on Friday on the par three course in a friendly match with Sybase executives. We rushed to pick up Samantha at school and we caught up with Morgan on the 7th hole. Morgan graciously greeted Samantha, commented on how tall she had gotten and gave her a hug. That one minute exchange was what Samantha had been waiting for – and, as parents, made the trip worthwhile in its own right. What transpired next went above and beyond our wildest imagination. Morgan asked her playing partner, Azahara Muñoz and the Sybase executives if Sam could join them inside the ropes. They graciously agreed and Samantha proceeded to walk the remaining 10 holes along with the players and their caddies. Morgan taught Sam how to read putts, let her carry her putter, shared her snacks with her, and talked with her about their favorite princesses and colors. It was absolutely the moment of a lifetime, especially for a six year old who loves the game of golf.
This may happen more often than we realize. However, we were so overcome with Morgan’s sincere and positive attitude that we wanted to share this story with the LPGA. We don’t know of many professional athletes that would lose an important match and then go out of their way to spend quality time with a young fan.
We, as parents, are so proud of who our daughter has chosen as her role model. Morgan is a true professional and a genuine person. She clearly has the interest of the LPGA and her young fans top of mind. With role models like Morgan, interest in ladies golf is sure to continue to grow and attract future superstars.
Jeff and Kerry Bryan
Tewksbury, NJ
Michelle Wie talks about 2011 goals
Michelle Wie talked about her goals for 2011 and about the Kia golf bag she designed that was auctioned off for charity.
Learn to speak Portuguese for this week's HSBC Brazil Cup
Here are some common phrases provided by the Language Training Center that our players might use this week to help them adjust to playing in the HSBC Brazil Cup in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
English Pronunciation 1. Great shot! Ótima tacada! 2. Good job. Boa jogada. 3. Well done. Muito bem. 4. I enjoyed playing with you today. Foi um prazer jogar com você hoje. 5. Good Morning Bom dia 6. Good Afternoon Boa tarde 7. Good Evening Boa noite 8. Good Bye Tchau 9. My name is… O meu nome é … 11. How are you? Como vai? 12. I’m fine. Estou bem. 14. I don’t understand. Não entendi. 16. Yes Sim 17. No Não 18. Excuse me Com licença 19. I’m sorry Desculpe 20. Thank you Men say: Obrigado Women say: Obrigada 21. Please Por favor 22. You’re welcomeJenny Shin - Rookie Blog Two
I am currently on the plane flying to New Jersey. It was a 7 a.m. flight so I had to wake up at 4 o'clock :( and stupid enough, I decided to go to sleep at one o'clock, thinking I could get more sleep on the plane. NO, I'm in the last row, middle seat of the plane and it's freezing cold. Honestly, I want to ask the guy next to me if I can lean on his shoulder so I can get some sleep, but I've been shuffling in my seat, bumping my arm into him, looking like a dork with an apple in my mouth and a teddy bear in my lap. Not to mention, sneaking a dance here and there listening to music. Haha… how embarrassing. I was actually thinking about driving to New Jersey like I did on the Futures Tour, but it was impossible. If it was ShopRite, Wegmans, then State Farm? Oh yeah, I would be driving. By the way, I'm SO happy that we have three tournaments in a row!! Whoohoo! Finally! :P Before I forget, shout out to my trainer, David Rotkoski - you're doing an amazing job. Hopefully in the future, you can travel out to tournaments and help out! As much as I want to talk about golf, I'm afraid it might sound boring as heck, so I guess my scores will explain how I've been doing. I would be devastated if the results don't come out the way I want them to, because I really did grind it during the last month. Anyhow, I sadly don't remember what I wrote in my last blog other than me liking Legos, so I'm stuck here trying not to rewrite what I wrote before x] Gosh, you have no idea how lucky I feel right now having my iPad, thanks to Mr. Don Lim .Without it, I wouldn't be able to listen to music. If my body is 70 percent water, 30 percent is music for sure. I actually lost my singing voice a few days ago because I sang way too much in the car. If I make enough money in the future, I shall give a thought about buying a karaoke place. I'm addicted and I just can't get enough ~ how ironic, I'm thinking the same thing and that song comes up. For those of you who don't get it, it's a song by Black Eyed Peas - just can't get enough. Man, I had so much to say, but darn my short-term memory, I can't remember it. I have so many funny little incidents on a daily basis that I could have my own reality show just for my own pleasure... haha. I have this terrible habit of staring at people- 1. I found something interesting and I can't stop observing it. 2. I'm daydreaming but when I wake up from it, I find myself staring at them. This guy next to me is kinda sleeping (time for me to observe! Haha). He's wearing a very revealing V-neck shirt and I see a huge tattoo on the right side of his chest. I hope he's not reading this. Creep much? I'm glad I'm writing blogs. Ever since I got rid of Facebook, I haven't had a chance to write much. Twitter gets boring :( I could write forever pouring my pointless thoughts out here. So I'm going to stop :) Follow me on Twitter so it could be less boring! @JennyShin_LPGA.
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HSBC Brasil Cup Tournament Preview
Untitled Document
Meaghan Francella
The LPGA returns to Itanhanga Golf Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the third annual HSBC Brasil Cup. An international field of 30 players will compete across 36 holes for a $720,000, unofficial money purse and a first-place prize of $108,000.
Headlining the field this week are defending champion Meaghan Francella, Rolex Rankings No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Cristie Kerr. Last year, Francella defeated Maria Jose Uribe in a six-hole playoff to secure her second LPGA victory. Also playing this week is 2009 HSBC Brazil Cup Champion, Catriona Matthew.
The buzz surrounding this year's tournament will inevitably be unlike any other with golf set to make its Olympic return in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2016. With 14 different countries represented in this week's field, it will serve as a preview of the international flare and competitive fire that will be present in the 2016 Olympics Games.
Brazilians Luciana Bemvenuti, Maria Iida and Victoria Alimonda head into the week as the hometown favorites. Bemvenuti, the first Brazilian to compete on the LPGA Tour, is from Porto Alegre located 697 miles from Rio de Janiero. Her career-best finish on the LPGA came when she finished tied for fourth at the 1998 Longs Drug Challenge. Alimonda and Iida are both natives of Sao Paulo, Brazil, located about 250 miles from Rio de Janeiro. Iida finished 25th at the 2010 HSBC Brasil Cup while Alimonda will play in her first LPGA event.
The LPGA Futures Tour will be represented this week by Alimonda of Brazil, Paz Echevarria of Chile and Sofi Toccafondi of Argentina. Both Echevarria and Toccafondi are rookies this year while Echevarria is in her second season on the Futures Tour.