Pettersen In The Hunt, American Update and More From Michigan

AMERICAN UPDATE

Through 11 events in the 2017 season, the Republic of Korea ranks first in wins by country with six wins by six different players. The United States ranks second with three American players owning wins this year: Brittany Lincicome (Pure-Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic), Cristie Kerr (LOTTE Championship) and Lexi Thompson (Kingsmill Championship). Japan and Sweden are the only other countries that have been represented in the winner’s circle - in 2016, the Tour had 18 different winners from 12 different countries in 33 official events.

Through Round 2, six American players are within five shots of the lead at T10 or better including Lizette Salas (T4, -9), Cydney Clanton (T4, -9), Jennifer Song (T4, -9), Jenny Coleman (T10, -7), Austin Ernst (T10, -7) and Stacy Lewis (T10, -7). All six are looking for their first win in 2017, and only Salas, Ernst and Lewis have wins in their LPGA careers.

2017 Wins By Country

REPRESENTING

Jennifer Song is the first player to sport clothing from LPGA Golf Wear on Tour. The LPGA, in partnership with MK Trend, opened its first retail store in South Korea in September 2016. Song said she began wearing the brand earlier this season and has been really enjoying both the look and the feel of her new outfits. 

“Their outfits are really vibrant and looks sharp, and most importantly, I think it’s very comfortable, Song said. “I have no problems swinging freely in it, so I really like it.” 

Song, who currently stands T4 at 9-under par, has been receiving a lot of compliments on her new digs, which today featured neon-colored hamburgers and ice cream cones.

“It looks really sharp, that’s what I like the best, because I want to look professional out here. So far everybody’s been giving me great feedback. They love the outfits, so I’m really happy for it.”

AI MIYAZATO TO RETIRE AT END OF 2017

Ai Miyazato announces her retirement from the LPGA Tour at the end of the 2017 season and will hold a press conference on May 29 in Japan. There, she will share her thoughts on the decision and will thank all the people who have supported her during her 14-year professional career. 

Miyazato is one of nine LPGA players to reach the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Rankings since they began in 2006. She is the only player from Japan to ever reach the top spot, which she held for a total of 12 weeks during the 2010 season when she won five events. 

A 2006 LPGA rookie, Miyazato has nine LPGA wins and 59 total top-10 finishes in her 12-year career. She has amassed $8,166,557 in career earnings which ranks her 21st on the LPGA Career Money List.

QUOTABLE

“I mean just that’s how crazy this game is. One week you have it, the next you don’t. Or one week you don’t and the next you do. That’s the fun part about golf. I just try to make it fun and not really stress about oh, I have to make birdie, I have to make birdie. Just put a good swing on it, keep your head down and just let it go. That’s literally, my slogan is you just let it go and see your shot.”- Lizette Salas on changing her swing and putting grip heading into this week

QUICK HITS

• In 2016, Sung Hyun Park won seven times and was the top earning player on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA).
• Sung Hyun Park’s best career finish in an LPGA event came at the 2016 Evian Championship where she was T2 behind champion In Gee Chun - Park was a non-member at the time.
• A 2017 LPGA rookie, Sung Hyun Park has not missed a cut in her eight starts this season and has three top-4 finishes including a season-best 3rd place result at the HSBC Women’s Champions.
• Sung Hyun Park ranks third on the LPGA in average driving distance this season (275.55 yards).
• Suzann Pettersen has gone 43 events since last win at the 2015 Manulife LPGA Classic. In that span, Pettersen has 17 top-10 finishes.
• Minjee Lee was one of three teenagers to win on the LPGA Tour in 2016 (Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson)