Kingsmill Championship presented by JTBC
Williamsburg, Virginia
Wednesday Pre-Tournament Notes
May 13, 2015

NO. 1 IMPROVEMENT
Lydia Ko finished the 2014 year ranking 7th in Greens in regulation (GIR) and said her main goal in 2015 was to increase her GIR. Through her first nine events this year, she leads the Tour at 79.5%, ahead of second place Inbee Park at 77.8%.

Her other goal was to be more consistent with her putting after saying she feels like she has let some putts out there, especially at her two non-top-10 finishes at the ANA Inspiration and the VOA North Texas Shootout.

“At the end of the day you can’t make them all, but the important ones along the way was the key,” Ko said. “I couldn’t do that at all in Dallas, and I didn’t do that in Palm Springs either.”

Her plan for improvement is to work on her distance control and green speeds.

“In Dallas I was leaving them short and it was kind of the right read, but when you leave it short it’s never going in,” Ko said. ”The last day, because I left it short all week, I kind of ran them by. That doesn’t go in either. “

PARK PLANS TO KEEP IT ROLLING
Rolex Ranking No. 2 Inbee Park heads into competition Thursday with her head held a little higher, and her confidence a little stronger. Park is coming off her fourteenth LPGA win at the Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout, her second victory for the 2015 season. With her win, Park became the latest player to join Sei Young Kim and Lydia Ko for players with multiple wins this season.

Park has been consistent with her ball striking this season, currently ranking second in greens in regulation on the Tour (77.78%). But it has been the return of Park’s putter that has led to wins.

“But if I can putt it good like Texas, I think I’ll in contention a lot more often,” Park said. “Yeah, it’ll be good to see the ball go in the hole a lot more often. Hitting the clutch putts and holing the clutch putts will be exciting.

Heading into the Kingsmill Championship, Park leads the Tour in rounds under-par (30) and will look to keep her trend going as she aims low this week.

“I’m guessing there will be more birdies out there and good scoring,” Park said. “It’s going to come down to I think good short irons, and obviously the putting. I mean, everybody is going to have a lot of opportunities at birdies. Just depends how many you’re going to make.”

ONE GOAL
Inbee Park has spent a total of 73 total weeks at the top of the Rolex Rankings over two separate periods, but has remained No. 2 in Rolex Rankings since giving the World No. 1 title to Lydia Ko on January 31st, 2015. With her two wins already in 2015, Park could take over the No. 1 rankings any given week, but that is not her main focus.

“That’s not my only priority, because I’m looking to go into a lot of the major tournaments this year,” Park said. “Obviously few of the Grand Slams, the British Open this year will be my biggest goal for this year and probably for my career. No. 1 is great and comes with great golf, but I really want to do Grand Slams. That will be my main priority.”

CREAMER SALUTES THE TROOPS
The second annual Dove® Real Beauty Women of the Military luncheon took place at the Kingsmill Championship Wednesday and continues the movement of self-esteem, self-confidence, and inspirational stories on overcoming adversity. Military supporter Paula Creamer was in attendance to accept the Dove® Real Beauty Women of the Military Award. Creamer most recently visited the Naval Station Norfolk Monday to host a clinic for military families.

For more information regarding this event please visit www.thekingsmillchampionship.com/military-events.php

LEWIS ON THE HUNT
Stacy Lewis is searching for her first win of the season, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t put herself into contention. After three second place finishes and three additional top-10 finishes, Lewis’ game has been strong this year. After all, her worst finish in 2015 was a T15 at the Kia Classic.

“I’ve played some great golf this year,” Lewis said. “I think, probably one of my most consistent starts I’ve had. So I would have loved to have won by now, but I cant really be upset about it.”

Lewis doesn’t deny that coming so close to clinching a victory has been frustrating, but she knows that staying consistent is what will eventually get her twelfth LPGA win.

“If you take finishing second as bad thing it’s going to be a long year,” Lewis said. “I think I’m trying to take the positives out of it, that finishing second is a really good thing, you’re playing some really good golf and you just have to keep knocking on the door.”

WHAT OFF WEEK
Canadian sensation Brooke Henderson wasted no time during the LPGA’s off-week. Henderson stayed around competitive golf, but in a different role: as her sister Brittany Henderson’s caddie. She may not be hitting the shots, but it does help benefit her game.

“Every time I get up to a shot I have to visualize it first,” Henderson said. “So she asks me questions and I have to tell her exactly what I really see. I think it really helps in my own game now that it’s really clear in my mind.”

LPGA NOMINATED AS SPORTS LEAGUE OF THE YEAR
The LPGA was announced as one of the five finalists for the Sports Business Journal/Daily Sports League of the Year award category for the Sports Business Awards. Joining the LPGA as the other leagues nominated for the Sports League of the Year award are NASCAR, Major League Soccer (MLS), the Big East Conference and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

“I’m excited for our entire team, whose efforts have been tremendous. We are very honored to be recognized as a finalist by SBJ among other prestigious sports league,” LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan said. “The LPGA had a magical year filled with incredible storylines touching every part of our organization and many Tour victories that showed everyone global success is the best kind of sports story.”

The Sports Business Awards were established to recognize excellence, innovation and outstanding achievements in the business of sports. Nominations were earned for accomplishments during the period from March 1, 2014, to February 28, 2015. The executives and members representing SportsBusiness Journal/Daily will evaluate the nominees and determine the winners, who will be announced at a ceremony on May 20 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

AIRTIMES THIS WEEK
Golf Channel will broadcast all the action at the Kingsmill Championship presented by JTBC with air times listed below. All times listed are Eastern.

May 14       9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
May 15       9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
May 16       5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 17       5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

KEY NUMBERS TO KNOW
1- There has only been one repeat winner of the Kingsmill Championship in its history, that was Cristie Kerr (3 wins)
3- Number of wins for Cristie Kerr at the Kingsmill Championship
7 - Top-10 finishes for Lydia Ko and Stacy Lewis in 2015, which leads the LPGA
11- This year marks the 11th year of the Kingsmill Championship
3 million - After the Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout, Lydia Ko surpassed $3 million in career earnings
14 - Consecutive weeks spent at the top of the Rolex Rankings for Lydia Ko
19 - Annika Sorenstam’s 19-under in 2009 is the Kingsmill tournament record

ROLEX RANKINGS SCENARIOS
Below are the Rolex Rankings No. 1 projections for this week at the Kingsmill Championship.

Lydia Ko can maintain No. 1 if:
She finishes in a two-way tie for second or better even if Inbee Park wins.
Park finishes in a three-way tie for second or worse even if Lydia misses the cut.

Inbee Park can become No. 1 if:
She wins AND Lydia Ko finishes in a three-way tie for second or worse.
She finishes 2nd AND Ko finishes in a three-way tie for 11th or worse.***
She finishes in a two-way tie for 2nd AND Ko finishes in 37th or worse ***

Stacy Lewis CANNOT become No. 1 this week regardless of what happens. There are scenarios in which Lewis can move to No. 2 with a win but only a win.

***All multi-way tie situations bring up multiple scenarios. Please check with the LPGA PR staff for clarification.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The cool thing about me was that I had role models like Lexi and Michelle and Morgan who had won at a young age too and I could kind of learn from them. Now there is Brooke, the 17 year old they’re talking about right now. She’s playing great, too. I think it’s just great. Golf is a cool thing where doesn’t matter how old you are. You can go from 17 to 50. It’s a sport where you can play for a long time.”- Lydia Ko, talking about her key to sustaining success on the LPGA Tour at such a young age.

Kingsmill Championship Wednesday Pre-tournament Notes

Related Articles