FENG FEELING RIGHT AT HOME IN CHINA

It’s hard to imagine any player hotter than World No. 3 Shanshan Feng right now. Last week, Feng picked up her second win of the season as she successfully defended her title at the TOTO Japan Classic. The victory was her second of the season in addition to nine more top-10 finishes.

“I tend to be a slow starter,” Feng said on Tuesday in China. “At the beginning of the season I might not do that well but down the line I get better and better, and that’s my typical style. I’m in the habit of continuing to do something, especially something that works out for me.

“Especially like in Japan where I did well last year, I went to the same restaurant, and I visited the same place, because I feel if it worked, why don’t we just stick to that. So that’s my, if you will, habitual behavior to make things even better or make things work.”

If Feng sticks to her “habitual behavior” the rest of the Blue Bay LPGA field better watch out, because here is a look at her last seven starts...

Tournament Finish

TOTO Japan Classic 1st

Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2nd

Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship T3

LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship T46

The Evian Championship T6

Canadian Pacific Women’s Open T3

RICOH Women’s British Open T7

She’ll look to continue her momentum this week at the LPGA’s lone stop of the season in her home country of China. Feng missed last year’s Blue Bay LPGA, but in her two previous appearances she finished T14 (2015) and T7 (2014).

LEE LOOKING TO DEFEND HER TITLE

In a week where a lot of the focus is on new No. 1 Sung Hyun Park and China’s own No. 3 Shanshan Feng, defending Blue Bay LPGA champion Minjee Lee is quietly continuing a very good 2017 season and searching for her first victory since last year at Blue Bay.

It’s clear to see Lee is comfortable at Blue Bay as she participated in the opening ceremony on Tuesday morning followed by a joint press conference with Park, Feng, Ariya Jutanugarn and Michelle Wie. Lee was smiling as she shrugged off questions about the pressure to defend her title.

“Obviously I can’t control what they do,” Lee said while sandwiched in between Park and Feng. “So I’ll just play my own game and try and focus one shot at a time and just everything I can in my control.

“I’ll just go out there and try my best.”

Her best has proved pretty well of late as she is coming off a tie for fifth last week at the TOTO Japan Classic for her 10th top-10 of the year.

Lee is currently No. 15 in the Race to the CME Globe, and a good finish this week could boost her inside the top 12 where she would have a mathematical chance to win the $1M CME Globe in Naples next week.

QUOTABLE

“I think everybody knows it’s really difficult to not only become the No. 1 but to maintain that status moving forward. So we’ll just have to keep going and doing my best.”

- Sung Hyun Park on being No. 1 in the world

“My favorite thing to do in the morning -- I close my blinds at night just so I can open them in the morning and the view is spectacular. These beds are the best beds we get in Asia. The beds are so comfortable. Especially we came on a red-eye and all I could think about was the bed and the view in the morning. It’s just gorgeous.”

- Michelle Wie on the scenic Blue Bay LPGA

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

About the Sponsor:

With 4,800 acres of coastal residential estate, 2 million square meters of planned construction area, 11 meters of water clarity visibility, as well as one of the three global ‘singing beaches,’ Greentown Blue Bay offers you the best holiday experience.
On the eastside of Blue Bay is the first experimental International Tourism Island boasting luxury facilities; and the ‘National Coast’ on the west offers the opportunity to experience the rare resources of Hai Tang Bay.
Offering key attractions including the Gorgeous ocean-view Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club, five-star Westin Hotel, convenient business center and various other holiday facilities in the neighborhood, Blue Bay has become a world-leading coastal resort and residential area with extraordinary amenities for relaxation and enjoyment.

Why they sponsor the event:

In China, ladies golf is gaining momentum. As a result of the Blue Bay LPGA event we are sure that these athletes provide great examples to motivate youth. Some of these examples are self-motivation, leading a healthy lifestyle and becoming more knowledgeable regarding golf and the world.

Blue Bay LPGA Pre-Tournament News & Notes

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