CHOI RETURNS AS DEFENDING CHAMPION
Na Yeon Choi returns to the site of her ninth career victory this week at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G. Choi used her favorite club, an 8-iron, to hole a miraculous shot on the 16th hole from 145 yards out for eagle and followed that with a tight approach on 17 using the same club, leading to a birdie that would eventually seal her the championship.
“I mean, the sad thing is I couldn’t see the ball going in, but I watched it so many times on internet or TV replay, I felt so good with that shot,” Choi recalled. “And also I had the same feeling on the next hole for tee shot on 17. So that both tee shot with 8-iron was great.”
The No. 21 player in the world has three top-10s in 2016, but hasn’t been able to break through for a victory since last year in Rogers. Choi admitted that she has struggled on the course recently, but being back at Pinnacle Country Club where she has experienced a lot of success has her feeling poised for another good result this week. In her first eight starts here, she has a win, four additional top 10s and has not finished worse than T23 (2012).
“I have great memories of here and all people welcome me so well so I’m very happy,” said Choi. “Especially last two weeks I was a little struggle with my game, but as soon as I land in Arkansas, I just felt a lot of confidence and I just looking forward for this tournament.”
Click here to watch Choi's pre-tournament interview.
Na Yeon Choi - Record At The Walmart NWA Championship
| Year | Scores | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 66-63-69=198 (-15) | Win |
| 2014 | 68-69-69=206 (-7) | T15 |
| 2013 | 71-70-66=207 (-6) | T17 |
| 2012 | 70-69-71=210 (-3) | T23 |
| 2011 | 68-70-68=206 (-7) | T10 |
| 2010 | 67-68-72=207 (-6) | T9 |
| 2009 | 71-65-71=207 (-6) | T7 |
| 2008 | 71-65-68=204 (-12) | T8 |
WOOO PIG SOOIE!
The Razorback faithful will be in full force this week as usual at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship and rightfully so. Five Razorbacks will be in the field this week after two current players, Alana Uriell and Regina Plascencia, Monday qualified for the event. Arkansas freshman Maria Fassi received a sponsor invitation. Stacy Lewis and Gaby Lopez, the first and second University of Arkansas alumni to play on the LPGA Tour, know that this week provides such a huge opportunity for the rising stars. Both players also played in the event as amateurs.
“Well, it’s cool to see the idea we had of being able to give the invite to the players on the team to build some success down the road,” said Lewis. “It’s finally just nice to see it paying off.”
She knows that having five alum or current players in the field could be a great recruiting tool and push in the right direction for the program.
“And it will be a great week to be in front of the fans here. They’re going to have all their Razorback gear on and carrying their bags around, so it’s going to be an awesome experience for them and great for the program,” said Lewis. “That was the whole goal. If we can get the best kids in the country or in the world now to come to Arkansas and be a part of this team and see what we’re doing here and have an opportunity to play in an LPGA event while you’re in school, that’s something no other university can say.”
Lopez said it’s definitely a change of pace now being the one giving out the advice to the younger players and being in the role of mentor instead of mentee.
“Coming to Northwest Arkansas and now being pro and sharing this experience with my teammates, I think it’s a dream come true,” said Lopez. “It’s been a little bit different because I don’t know if they truly believe me and I don’t want to sound different, but I try to give them the most honest advice.
“What actually helped me through Q School, what I did I thought it was right for me,” Lopez added. “I know everyone is different and they have to find their own recipe, but what worked for me, I try to just share with them the experience so they can at least have an idea what they’re going to face.”
ONE MONTH REMAINS UNTIL UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN
The 2016 UL International Crown begins in just over a month, taking place from July 19-24, 2016 at Merit Club just outside of Chicago in Gurnee, Illinois. The final standings for the eight pre-qualified countries in this year’s event were determined following the completion of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, with the four-top players in the Rolex Rankings from each country making their respective team’s roster. Earlier today the final field for the event was announced.
The full list of players in the final field for the UL International Crown are below. Twenty-two of the 32 players are in action this week in Arkansas including all four from the top-seeded Republic of Korea (bold = in this week’s field):
#1 - Republic of Korea - Sei Young Kim, In Gee Chun, Amy Yang, So Yeon Ryu
#2 - United States - Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, Gerina Piller, Cristie Kerr
#3 - Japan - Haru Nomura, Mika Miyazato, Ayaka Watanabe, Ai Suzuki
#4 - Australia - Minjee Lee, Su Oh, Karrie Webb, Rebecca Artis
#5 - Chinese Taipei - Teresa Lu, Candie Kung, Yani Tseng, Ssu-Chia Cheng
#6 - Thailand - Ariya Jutanugarn, Pornanong Phatlum, Moriya Jutanugarn, Porani Chutichai
#7 - England - Charley Hull, Holly Clyburn, Melissa Reid, Jodi Ewart Shadoff
#8 - China - Shanshan Feng, Xi Yu Lin, Jing Yan, Simin Feng
QUOTABLE
“I won in Toledo before and I had a Na Yeon Choi Street. And then last year I won Ocala and they have Na Yeon Choi Boulevard, I think. And then here Na Yeon Choi Way.” - Na Yeon Choi, who has a street named after her at this year’s event
“You know, that actually makes it another major for me. I think it’s just a very, very special event.” - Gaby Lopez on the importance of this week’s event
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. That’s the hardest thing for me. I’m like gosh, I’ve been out of school that long? I just can’t believe. I mean, it’s gone by so fast.” -Stacy Lewis on celebrating the event’s 10-year anniversary and winning the unofficial first year after being rained out
NUMBERS TO KNOW
5 - Current or former Arkansas Razorbacks in the field this week
3 - Amateur players in the field, all current or former Arkansas Razorbacks
6 - Top-10 finishes at this event in ten starts by Stacy Lewis, including two wins
1 - Multiple year winner in the 10-year history of this tournament (Yani Tseng - 2010, 2011); Stacy Lewis was the unofficial winner in 2007 and won in 2014
20 - LPGA starts since Na Yeon Choi’s last win, which came in the 2015 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship
-15 - Tournament record score to par (Choi, 2016; Seon Hwa Lee, 2008)
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