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Untitled Document
 U.S. Women's Open tests best pros, amateurs at Saucon Valley Country Club
Park to defend first LPGA victory, major championship title
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 64th U.S. Women's Open this week boasts an impressive compilation of the world's best professional and amateur golfers, who will converge on Saucon Valley Country Club. Inbee Park will be among those players as she defends her title - a four-stroke 2008 victory over LPGA and Ladies European Tour veteran Helen Alfredsson.
A collage of youth and top veteran players are going head-to-head this week. All three active members from the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame are in the field (and all are past U.S. Women's Open champions): Juli Inkster (1999, 2002); Se Ri Pak (1998); and Karrie Webb (2000, 2001). But, as 2008 proved, the youth are not to be dismissed as a threat.
 One year ago, prior to Park taking control of the event, it was newly announced professional Stacy Lewis and one of the Tour's top young players, Paula Creamer, locked at the top. The pair finished tied for third - all the more hungry for their first major championship title. Lewis went on to win the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament last December and earn membership on the LPGA Tour. This season, she owns two top-10 finishes, which have occurred in her last three events. As talented of a rookie as Lewis is, her rookie class also is steeped in talent. Jiyai Shin has already won twice this season (HSBC Women's Champions, Wegmans LPGA) - and owns five LPGA Tour victories in the past year, rivaling Rolex Rankings number one Lorena Ochoa. In the Tour's last major championship - the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola - it was rookie Anna Nordqvist, of Sweden, who took the 36-hole lead in the event and held on for the win.
Eunjung Yi, a last-minute addition to the field on Sunday, earned a spot in her first U.S. Women's Open by defeating two-time LPGA Tour winner Morgan Pressel at last week's Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger.
Among the top amateurs is Jennifer Song - a member of the University of Southern California women's golf team - who recently won the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links tournament, shortly after being named Golfweek's College Player of the Year. She will be among 28 amateurs scheduled in the field.
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