FENG ON FIRE
Since winning the bronze at the Olympics in late August, Shanshan Feng has been one of the hottest golfer on the planet with two wins and 10 top-10 finishes in her 14 starts since Rio.
Feng’s game in 2017 seems to be rounding into form as she is coming off back-to-back top-10 finishes at the Lorena Ochoa Matchplay (T5) and Kingsmill Championship (T10)
“I’m starting to hit the ball more like what I normally do because at the beginning of the year when I was in Asia, I was hitting the ball all over and I almost lost myself,” Feng said. “Then I think I made a little adjustment on my swing and I got it back and I’m hitting the ball really well and rolling the putts also. So I’m really happy about the condition right now.”
JUTANUGARN HAS EYES ON NO. 1 RANKING
Ariya Jutanugarn fired a third round 68 to move into a tie for sixth at the Volvik Championship.
The move was significant as it brings the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings into play for Jutanugarn. Below are the projected scenarios for the defending Volvik Championship winner to take over the top spot:
Ariya Jutanugarn could take over No. 1 if any of the following scenarios happen (3rd or better finish):
- Ariya wins
- Ariya is 2nd alone AND Ryu does not win
- Ariya is 3rd alone AND Ryu is not in the top 4
Possible scenarios with ties:
- Ariya is T-2nd with 1 other AND Ryu is not in the top 3
- Ariya is T-2nd with 2 others AND Ryu is not in the top 3
- Ariya is T-2nd with 3 others AND Ryu is not in the top 4
- Ariya is T-3rd with 1 other AND Ryu is not in the top 5
If Jutanugarn takes over the top spot in the Rolex Rankings she would be the:
- First player from Thailand to hold the No. 1 ranking
- 10th different golfer to be No. 1 in their career since the Rolex Rankings started in 2006 joining Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa, Jiyai Shin, Ai Miyazato, Cristie Kerr, Yani Tseng, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park and Lydia Ko.
STRONG START FOR ROOKIE PARK
2017 Rookie Sung Hyun Park began the third round with a two shot advantage and currently sits three back of leader Shanshan Feng in a tie for 4th at 12-under par. The 23-year-old South Korean is ranked No. 11 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and joined the LPGA after leading the KLPGA with seven wins last season.
Park is dominating the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race, thanks to three top-4 finishes so far in 2017 - she currently has 411 points in the race through eight events, which is 181 points more than the next closest rookie Angel Yin.
Rolex Rookie of the Year - Past Five Years
|
Year |
Rookie of the Year |
Points |
Margin of Victory (Points) |
Runner-up |
|
2016 |
In Gee Chun |
1,358 |
832 |
Megan Khang |
|
2015 |
Sei Young Kim |
1,523 |
268 |
Hyo Joo Kim |
|
2014 |
Lydia Ko |
1,720 |
779 |
Mirim Lee |
|
2013 |
Moriya Jutanugarn |
480 |
1 |
Caroline Masson |
|
2012 |
So Yeon Ryu |
1,448 |
631 |
Lexi Thompson |
QUOTABLE
“I would rather be two shots behind today than tomorrow.”- Suzann Pettersen, who sits two shots behind the lead heading into the final round
QUICK HITS
- Shanshan Feng was one of three players to have wins in consecutive tournaments in 2016 (Ariya Jutanugarn, Lydia Ko).
- Shanshan Feng became a Rolex First-Time Winner and the first-ever Chinese winner on Tour at the 2012 Wegman’s LPGA Championship.
- In 2017, Shanshan Feng has three top-10 finishes in her seven starts, with her best result coming at the Citibanamex Lorena Ochoa Match Play Presented by Aeromexico and Delta (T5).
- Shanshan Feng holds at least a share of the lead heading into the final round for the sixth time in her LPGA career - three of her wins came after leading heading into the final round.
- Lizette Salas (2nd, -14) leads a group of five Americans that are T9 or better within five shots of the lead that includes Stacy Lewis (T6, -11), Jennifer Song (T6, -11), Marina Alex (T9, -10) and Nelly Korda (T9, -10).
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