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Ahn tops leaderboard at LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament
South Korean earns medalist honors, 32 players advance to LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Sept. 19, 2008 – Sun-Ju Ahn of South Korea carded a 4-under-par 68 in the final round to earn medalist honors at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament at Mission Hills Country Club on Friday. Ahn tops the list of 32 golfers at 5-over-par 293 or better who are one step closer to membership on the 2009 LPGA Tour.

The 21-year-old carded five birdies and one bogey in the final round to push her four-day total to 16-under-par (66-66-72-68=272). She held at least a share of the lead following the first three rounds in Rancho Mirage and managed a two-stroke victory over Swedish amateur Anna Nordqvist.

“Overall I played really well except for the third round,” Ahn said. “I feel good that I won the tournament and I'm ready for the next one.”

Ahn has four career victories on the KLPGA, including three during the 2007 season. Her career-best finish on the LPGA Tour is a tie for sixth at the 2007 Hana Bank ▪ KOLON Championship in South Korea. This season, she missed the cut at the Kraft Nabisco Championship after shooting 74-77=151 (+7) on the Dinah Shore course. She also tied for 31st at the U.S. Women's Open in June.

“I know that the (LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament) will be much tougher than this week, but I've played a few LPGA tournaments before and I know some of the players,” Ahn said. “Going into the finals, I don't want to place too much pressure on myself to win. I just want to play well enough to earn playing privileges.

Nordqvist continued her steady play this week with a final-round 2-under-par 70 to finish the week at 12-under-par (70-67-67-70=274). She is one of five amateurs who earned a trip to Daytona Beach this December. The 21-year-old make her turn at even-par for the day on Friday before birdies on holes 10 and 14 pushed her to 2-under-par, two shots behind medalist Ahn.

“I'm really happy with how I played this week,” Nordqvist said. “I wanted to play my game this week, that's why I was here. I know there will be a lot of good players in Daytona trying to get a card.”

Nordqvist, a Swedish amateur who won the 2008 Ladies British Amateur, is a member of the Arizona State University women's golf team. She was named 2008 NGCA First-Team All-American following a fifth place finish at the NCAA Championships.

Japan's Miki Saiki, ranked 49th in the Rolex Rankings, finished the week in third place at 12-under-par (69-68-70-69=276), one stroke ahead of Hawaii's Michelle Wie (70-65-74-71=280), Japan's Shino Oyama (69-71-70-70=280) and Stacy Lewis (70-71-70-69=280) of Texas.

Players competed on both the Arnold Palmer and Dinah Shore courses at Mission Hills Country Club, playing each of the courses once before the 36-hole cut was made following the second round. The final two rounds, which featured the low 70 players and ties, were played on the Dinah Shore course. The top-30 players and ties at the end of 72 holes advanced to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., Dec. 3-7.

The Rancho Mirage qualifier is the first of the LPGA Tour's two sectional qualifying events in 2008. The second LPGA Tour Sectional Qualifying Tournament is Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. The top-30 finishers and ties from the Florida qualifier will join the California sectional qualifiers, current LPGA Tour members attempting to improve their status and the players who finished sixth through 15th on the final 2008 Duramed FUTURES Tour money list at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.

Nordqvist, Ahn tied for lead at LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Sept. 18, 2008 – Swedish amateur Anna Nordqvist carded a 5-under-par 67 on Thursday to tie South Korean Sun-Ju Ahn for the lead at 12-under-par 204 after three rounds of play at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament. The pair leads the LPGA of Japan's Miki Saiki by three strokes entering the final round of play at Mission Hill Country Club. Hawaii's Michelle Wie is fourth at 7-under-par 209 following a third-round 2-over-par 74.

Nordqvist (70-67-67=204) began her day with back-to-back birdies on holes one and two of the 6,442-yard Dinah Shore course and made the turn at 3-under-par for the day following a birdie on hole four. Three more birdies and a bogey helped her to a 5-under-par 67 and a share of the lead with 18 holes remaining in Rancho Mirage.

“I didn't hit my driver perfect, but I hit my irons good and had a few short birdie putts,” Nordqvist said. “I was solid overall and I'll try to stick to my focus tomorrow. This is right where I want to be.”

Nordqvist, a Swedish amateur who won the 2008 Ladies British Amateur, is a member of the Arizona State University women's golf team. She was named 2008 NGCA First-Team All-American following a fifth place finish at the NCAA Championships.

Following back-to-back rounds of 66, Ahn managed an even-par 72 on the Shore course Thursday. She made the turn at 2-over-par for the day, but got back to even-par with birdies on holes 13 and 16. Her three-day total of 12-under-par (66-66-72=204) means she will be paired in the final group on Friday with Nordqvist and Saiki.

“It was difficult today and I made some unacceptable mistakes with my putting,” Ahn said. “It was a little frustrating today overall, but I still have the lead and my goal is to finish on top.”

Ahn has four career victories on the KLPGA, including three during the 2007 season. Her career-best finish on the LPGA Tour is a tie for sixth at the 2007 Hana Bank ▪ KOLON Championship in South Korea. This season, she missed the cut at the Kraft Nabisco Championship after shooting 74-77=151 (+7) on the Dinah Shore course. She also tied for 31st at the U.S. Women's Open in June.

Japan's Saiki carded a 2-under-par 70 on Tuesday to maintain her spot in the top five at 9-under-par (69-68-70=207). Hawaii's Wie carded a 2-over-par 74 in the third round to move into fourth place entering the final round of play.

Players are competing on both the Arnold Palmer and Dinah Shore courses at Mission Hills Country Club, playing each of the courses once before the 36-hole cut is made following the second round. The final two rounds, which will feature the low 70 players and ties, will be played on the Dinah Shore course. The top-30 players and ties at the end of 72 holes will advance to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., Dec. 3-7.

The Rancho Mirage qualifier is the first of the LPGA Tour's two sectional qualifying events in 2008. The second LPGA Tour Sectional Qualifying Tournament is Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. The top-30 finishers and ties from the Florida qualifier will join the California sectional qualifiers, current LPGA Tour members attempting to improve their status and the players who finished sixth through 15th on the final 2008 Duramed FUTURES Tour money list at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.

Ahn holds three-stroke lead over Wie at LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament
82 players make the cut at 6-over-par 150

>RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Sept. 17, 2008 - South Korean Sun-Ju Ahn carded her second consecutive round of 6-under-par 66 to maintain a three-shot lead over Hawaii's Michelle Wie at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying School on Wednesday. Ahn is 12-under-par (66-66=132) entering the final two days of play at Mission Hills Country Club. 82 players made the 36-hole cut with scores of 6-over-par 150 or better.

Ahn started her day on the first tee of the 6,406-yard Arnold Palmer Course and carded back-to-back birdies on holes three and four to make the turn at 2-under-par for the day. She went on to make three birdies on the back nine along with one bogey and an eagle on the 484-yard, par-5 18th hole where she hit 5-iron to the back fringe and rolled in a long putt.

"My driving was not great today, but my short game was good," said Ahn. "I worried about the Palmer Course before I played today, but I feel confident now especially going into the last two rounds."

Ahn has four career victories on the KLPGA, including three during the 2007 season. Her career-best finish on the LPGA Tour is a tie for sixth at the 2007 Hana Bank ▪ KOLON Championship in South Korea. This season, she missed the cut at the Kraft Nabisco Championship after shooting 74-77=151 (+7) on the Dinah Shore course. She also tied for 31st at the U.S. Women's Open in June.

"I missed the cut at Kraft earlier this year, but right now the tournament course is playing much easier than I expected, especially the rough," said Ahn.

Wie carded the low round of the week on Wednesday with a 7-under-par 65 on the Palmer Course. Coupled with her 2-under-par 70 start on Friday, Wie stands alone in second place at 9-under-par 135. She managed seven birdies on the day including three consecutive to begin her back nine. The 18-year-old declined all media requests for the second consecutive day following the round.

A professional since October 2005, Wie has earned over $800,000 on the LPGA Tour via sponsor exemptions. Her career-best finish in three trips to the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills was a tie for third in 2006.

Japan's Miki Saiki (69-68=137) and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist (70-67=137) are tied for fourth at 4-under-par with 36 holes remaining. Saiki, who is presently ranked 49th in the Rolex Rankings, was bogey-free on the day with four birdies on the Palmer Course. Last year, she won the FUJI SANKEI Ladies Classic on the LPGA of Japan and finished tied for seventh at the RICOH Women's British Open.

"I left quite a few putts out there and had some unlucky bounces," said Saiki. "I felt some pressure yesterday, but now it's smooth sailing."

Nordqvist, a Swedish amateur, was also bogey-free with five birdies on the day on the Palmer Course. A former Swedish Junior Player of the Year (2004-05), Nordqvist is a member of the Arizona State University women's golf team. She was named 2008 NGCA First-Team All-American following a fifth place finish at the NCAA Championships.

"These two days, I've played really solid with a lot of fairways and greens," said Nordqvist. "I took advantage of the birdie opportunities I had today."

Players are competing on both the Arnold Palmer and Dinah Shore courses at Mission Hills Country Club, playing each of the courses once before the 36-hole cut is made following the second round. The final two rounds, which will feature the low 70 players and ties, will be played on the Dinah Shore course. The top-30 players and ties at the end of 72 holes will advance to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., Dec. 3-7.

The Rancho Mirage qualifier is the first of the LPGA Tour's two sectional qualifying events in 2008. The second LPGA Tour Sectional Qualifying Tournament is Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. The top-30 finishers and ties from the Florida qualifier will join the California sectional qualifiers, current LPGA Tour members attempting to improve their status and the players who finished sixth through 15th on the final 2008 Duramed FUTURES Tour money list at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.

Ahn takes lead at LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament at 6-under-par 66
Lewis, Wie tied for eighth at 2-under-par 70

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Sept. 16, 2008 – South Korean Sun-Ju Ahn carded a 6-under-par 66 on Tuesday to take the lead at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament at Mission Hills Country Club. The 21-year-old Ahn holds a three stroke advantage over six players entering Wednesday's second round.

“Most of my shots were good today,” Ahn said. “Tomorrow, I change courses, but I will try to shoot a good score. I have confidence for the next three days.”

Ahn, who started her day on the 10th tee of the 6,442-yard Dinah Shore course, carded birdies on holes 11 and 14 to make the turn at 2-under-par 34. She carded four more birdies on her back-nine to finish at 6-under-par 66.

Ahn has four career victories on the KLPGA, including three during the 2007 season. Her career-best finish on the LPGA Tour is a tie for sixth at the 2007 Hana Bank ▪ KOLON Championship in South Korea. This season, she missed the cut at the Kraft Nabisco Championship after shooting 74-77=151 (+7) on the Dinah Shore course. She also tied for 31st at the U.S. Women's Open in June.

The six players tied for second place at 3-under-par 69 include amateurs Leanne Bowditch (Dinah Shore course) and Garrett Phillips (Arnold Palmer course), LPGA of Japan stars Miki Saiki (Shore) and Shiho Oyama (Shore), Texan Jennifer Ackerson (Palmer) and Australian Kristie Smith (Palmer). Oyama is the top-ranked player (43rd in the Rolex Rankings) in this week's field.

Texan Stacy Lewis followed up a tie for 28th at the Bell Micro Classic on the LPGA Tour last week with a 2-under-par 70 on Tuesday to move into a tie for eighth with three others including Michelle Wie. Playing the 6,406-yard Arnold Palmer course, the 23-year-old carded five birdies and three bogies. Lewis finished tied for fifth at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship on Mission Hills' Dinah Shore course to earn low amateur honors.

“I played OK, but it wasn't anything real special,” Lewis said. “I made a couple birdies, but also gave a few easy ones away. It was a good start though.”

Wie carded a 2-under-par 70 on the Dinah Shore course to tie for eighth with 54 holes remaining. The 18-year-old carded five birdies and three bogies on Tuesday. Wie, a professional since October 2005, has earned over $800,000 on the LPGA Tour via sponsor exemptions. Her career-best finish in three trips to the Kraft Nabsico Championship at Mission Hills was a tie for third in 2006.

Others tied at 2-under-par 70 include Germany's Martina Eberl (Palmer) and amateur Anna Nordqvist (Shore) of Sweden.

Players are competing on both the Arnold Palmer and Dinah Shore courses at Mission Hills Country Club, playing each of the courses once before the 36-hole cut is made following the second round. The final two rounds, which will feature the low 70 players and ties, will be played on the Dinah Shore course. The top-30 players and ties at the end of 72 holes will advance to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., Dec. 3-8.

The Rancho Mirage qualifier is the first of the LPGA Tour's two sectional qualifying events in 2008. The second LPGA Tour Sectional Qualifying Tournament is Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Fla. The top-30 finishers and ties from the Florida qualifier will join the California sectional qualifiers, current LPGA Tour members attempting to improve their status and the players who finished sixth through 15th on the final 2008 Duramed Futures Tour money list at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.