Golf Update: LPGA- CVS/pharmacy Challenge tournament kicks off on Thursday
The Swedish lady Sophie Gustafson will be teeing off at Blackhawk Country Club on Thursday (14th October) to defend her title.
The US LPGA Tour has reached the CVS/pharmacy Challenge tournament in California before making its way into Asia. The event is carrying a purse of $1100, 000.
The interesting issue is that of the full star studded field which will be seen here, teeing off. This gives a quick assumption that a good, healthy competition will be witnessed here. Apart from the defending champion Sophie Gustafson, Cristie Kerr and
Katherine Hull will also be seen on the par-72 course.
The 36-year-old seized the title last year, when she defeated Lorena Ochoa. Gustafson claimed her fifth career LPGA title with a margin of four-strokes over Lorena Ochoa. With that victory, Sophie Gustafson ended her dry spell of six years. However, after
that she has not won another title.
The Florida resident will be joined by the world number two, Cristie Kerr and Katherine Hull. The Aussie defeated Kerr last week in Navistar LPGA Classic, although she bided to win the title. Katherine Hull will be eyeing her second victory after her winning
in Alabama. However, the 28-year-old won’t be joined by Ai Miyazato, who is the current world number one.
Therefore, Cristie Kerr has an opportunity to seize the top spot with a solid form, while several other ladies in the chase will be missing this week. Among those players is the name of the number one Ai Miyazato, Ji Yai Shin, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng
and Na Yeo Choi.
As for the ladies who will be seen giving each other some head to head challenge includes Amy Yang. The South Korean finished in the fifth place last week, which means she is carrying a tough form along. Other than this, she has been to the Blackhawk Country
Club in the past, which indicates that she has a fair idea of the course. Apart from Yang, Christina Kim, Juli Inkster and Karrie Webb will also compete for the number one title.
To give a shiver down the spine, Paula Creamer will also make an appearance. The lady will be teeing off for the first time in her home town after winning the US Women's Open. The crowd will be the biggest motivation for the player.
Paula agrees with this notion and she told this to the press on Wednesday. She said,
"It's great because it's my first time home since the Open, I've been looking forward to this week for a long time. I love being able to come home, see all my friends, my family and everybody that I've grown up with."
However, she might incur some problem holding the clubs; the US Open champion broke her thumb while lifting her trophy. Later she had to opt for a surgery. According to Paula Creamer, it has always been difficult for her to win in her home ground. The only
reason behind this notion is the pressure that builds up when she faces her fans.
She quoted, "I'd love to win in the Bay Area, and it would be a huge thing for me. In the past, I've put so much pressure on myself to try and win here. But this year, I just want to go out and enjoy myself, have a good time and play in front of all
the people from my hometown."
The LPGA tour will be stepping into Asia after this event. The next three stops are Malaysia, Korea and Japan. However, the tour will return to Mexico followed by the Tour Championship season finale in Florida. This is it for the news that states that the
LPGA Challenge tournament is about to kick off in California at Blackhawk Country Club. The event is carrying a purse of $1100, 000 and it is being sponsored by CVS/pharmacy.
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