Two weeks into the 2015 season, and LPGA Tour fans have already witnessed a new world No. 1, a playoff and a Rolex First-Time Winner.
Republic of Korea’s Sei Young Kim, an LPGA rookie this season, defeated countrywoman Sun Young Yoo and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic on Sunday to earn her first career victory and take over the lead in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year points standings.
Kim’s triumph also tied her with former world No. 1 Na Yeon Choi, another fellow countrywoman, for first place in the Rolex Player of the Year points standings at the two-week mark. Jutanugarn is second in the rookie points race, while Ha Na Jang, also of the Republic of Korea, is third after tying for second at the season-opening Coates Golf Champoinship Presented by R&L Carriers.
That is just one race that is shaping up to be a barn-burner as the season proceeds, and dozens of players have shown top form through the first two events on the 2015 calendar. Lydia Ko, who also tied for second in Week 1, is expected to retain the world’s top ranking for this week as Tour players catch their breath with the first off week of the season.
After this week, they will be on the far side of the globe for a trio of top-notch tournaments featuring established defending champions. LPGA Tour and World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb will return to her native Australia to defend her title at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open Feb. 19-22 before the world’s best visits Jutanugarn’s homeland for the Honda LPGA Thailand Feb. 26-March 1.
Anna Nordqvist, who won twice in 2014, will be one of the main players to watch in Thailand as she defends her title. Singapore is the next stop, as players tee it up in the HSBC Women’s Champions March 5-8 with Paula Creamer looking to successfully defend her victory from a year ago.
The upcoming trio of overseas events precedes nine consecutive United States-based tournaments and a string of 15 straight events in North America, so this stretch will be players’ last chance for international glory until late July. A total of $4.1 million is up for grabs in the next few weeks, and a trip abroad may be the thing to get players going as the Tour’s 33-event schedule moves into March.
Australia will be the next chance for star players like Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr, Choi and Beatriz Recari to rebound after missing the cut in the Bahamas. It’s a long and grueling season, but the week off should recharge players for the next group of events.
Yoo – a two-time LPGA winner – and Ko each have two top-10 finishes through two events, so it will be interesting to see if their hot play continues in Australia. Jiyai Shin won the tournament in 2013, while Jessica Korda reigned supreme in 2012, and there could be a new name on the event’s champions’ list come Feb. 22.
But first, it’s time for a rest for the world’s top female professional golfers.
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