Australian Ladies Masters: No big names but plenty of excitement
Australian Ladies Masters, which fans were impatiently waiting for, has finally begun with a flurry of excitement. The venue of the tournament is Royal Pines, Gold Coast, Australia – a course most players wish to set foot on.
Some observers have been making a point that the tournament is devoid of real challenge because there are no big names in this year’s event.
The tournament is meant to provide fans with great entertainment but this is the downside clouding its credibility.
Defending champion Yani Tseng is not playing at Royal Pines. Her presence would have made the event even livelier, as fans usually flock the course that offer intense challenge and competition.
Tseng is the world’s number one player and has been outstanding in most of the tournaments she has played so far.
While it seems plausible enough that an event devoid of real challenge cannot grab the spectators’ attention, things are definitely not that grim.
According to critics, another dent made to the Aussie Ladies Masters is the absence of Aussie Karrie Webb. Webb is regarded as one of the most successful players in women’s golf.
The Masters without her seems uncompetitive indeed but there are several attractions for the spectators at Royal Pines.
The biggest source of attraction is South Korean Lee Bo-mee, who unexpectedly came out and proved to the world that she has what it takes to keep her competitors at a distance.
She routed her rivals in the early stage of the tournament. She did what most of the players in the field were seeking, that is, gaining a lead at the start of the tournament.
She drained 7 amazing birdies and took a clear lead.
As far as the weather condition is concerned, players found themselves in a comfort zone, with modest winds sweeping through the course.
One player who stood tall on the course was Lexi Thompson. Thompson’s presence has certainly offset the negative impact left due to the absence of prominent faces like Tseng.
She was phenomenal not only because of being the youngest winner in women’s golf but also because of her performance in the first round. She displayed a flawless game, draining 5 birdies.
Royal Pines has been lucky in a way. Rising star Lydia Ko is also featuring in the Masters.
The Kiwi, who originally comes from South Korea, grabbed the world’s attention when she clinched a title at NSW Open held in Australia.
She was declared the younger player to grab a pro title. Thompson also boasts the similar honour, as she made a name for herself by winning the Dubai Ladies Masters.
It makes sense to call the Aussie Ladies Masters a star-studded tournament after both Thompson and Ko committed to enter the course.
The limelight will definitely be on them, as they already hit a couple of shots together on the practice range a day before the event started. Both appeared more than thrilled, sharing laughter.
Despite major attraction in the tournament, there were moments when things seemed to take a sloppy turn.
Three players were disqualified from the event on charges of breaking the winter rules (preferred lies).
The players were Australians Inhong Lim and Corie Hou, and South Korean Annie Choi. The disqualifications came as big shock that affected the players but the event went on, providing the spectators with plenty of excitement.
Tags: