Honda LPGA Thailand
Siam Country Club, Pattaya Old Course
Chonburi, Thailand
Second Round Notes
February 27, 2015
Stacy Lewis shot 64 today to take a three stroke lead heading into the weekend at the Honda LPGA Thailand. The 30-year old, who just celebrated the milestone birthday on February 17, sits at the top of the leaderboard ahead of Amy Yang, Caroline Masson, Jenny Shin, Ariya Jutanugarn and Mirim Lee.
Lewis in particular has enjoyed the front nine this week. A 29 yesterday was followed with a 32 today on the front nine as she got on a roll midway through with four straight birdies.
“Well, it got off to a bit of a slow start, but about midway through the front nine there kind of caught fire with the putter and started hitting some shots close, Lewis said of her round. “It really was a pretty easy day. I didn’t cause myself too much stress. Hit a ton of greens, which is what have to do on this golf course. Just happy with the day.”
Lewis is looking for her 12th career win and first since the 2014 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
ON A ROLL
Amy Yang has finished in the top-5 in three of the last four tournaments she has played in dating back to the 2014
Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship. Yang had five top-10 and three top-5 finishes all year in 2014, and if she could hold this position this week, she would have three already in 2015.
The reason for her improved play of late? She took an extended break and allowed herself to rest in the offseason.
“You know, sometimes you get tired of what you’re doing,” Yang explained. “I think that’s what happened to me last year. That’s why I decided to finish season earlier, too. But over the winter while I’m resting I wanted to play more golf. Finally my mind changed and I wanted to go back there and play in contention if I can.”
Yang started working with a new coach in the winter, Tony Ziegler, and she credits him with her improved play.
“He helped me fix my tendency, like long time tendency, so I feel pretty confident about play and swing right now,” Yang said.
Yang’s finishes in her last four events
2014 Fubon LPGA Taiwan – 5
2015 Coates Golf Championship – 5
2015 Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic – T19
2015 Handa Australian Open – 2
ROLEX PROJECTIONS
Regardless of what happens this week, Lydia Ko is projected to remain the No. 1 player in the Rolex Rankings. Current No. 3 ranked Stacy Lewis could move up a spot, past Inbee Park, into second with a win this week. Lewis is currently leading the Honda LPGA Thailand by three strokes, while Inbee Park is T42 heading into Saturday.
GOOD START FOR MATTHEW
Catriona Matthew, who recently celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary with her husband Graeme, fired a 6-under 66 today thanks to a run of birdies after making the turn.
“Yeah, I just saw there were quite a few 3s,” Matthew joked after the round. “Yeah, think I was just so annoyed with myself on 10 for that shocking chip. Kind of holed a good putt on 11 for birdie and then hit it in quite close on the other ones for birdies.”
Numbers to know
0- Number of times a player from Thailand has won an LPGA event
6- Number of different countries represented within the top 10 of the Rolex Rankings
9 - This is the ninth edition of the Honda LPGA Thailand, which began in 2006
16- This week, 16 of the top 20 in the Rolex Rankings will play at the Honda LPGA Thailand
22- The average age of the three LPGA winners (Na Yeon Choi, Sei Young Kim and Lydia Ko) in 2015
33- Number of official events in 2015, up from 23 in 2011
62 million (USD)- The total purse money in 2015, up from $41.4M in 2011
410- Number of live televised hours in 2015, the most in LPGA history
TV TIMES THIS WEEK
Golf Channel air times of the Honda LPGA Thailand are as follows: (All times listed are United States ET)
Saturday 2/28
1:00am-5:00am ET Round 3
Sunday 3/1
1:00am-5:00am ET Final Round
Monday 3/2
11:00am-1:00pm ET Final Round (re-air)
Quote of the Day
“It’s such a great compliment. It makes me feel even more confident with my game. Yesterday I played with Yani and I learned so much from her also. When she missed a shot, she always finds a way to make an up and down. It’s great to see her grinding out there every single shot.” -Ariya Jutanugarn reacting to a compliment that Yani Tseng made about her when Tseng said that Ariya reminds her of herself when she was younger.
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