Kraft Nabisco Championship
Mission Hills Country Club
Rancho Mirage, Calif.
April 4, 2013
LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship First Round Wrap Up
Jodi Shadoff (thank you USA Today)
Ne Yeon Choi (thanks Yonhap News)
Today was a good day to be on the course. The winds were manageable and the heat was bearable. However, the winds are changing for tomorrow and Saturday — the winds will become angry and will be creating havoc. I don’t think any tee time will be safe and the weather is calling for gusts up to 25mph even in the morning! Good luck ladies! This may again become a test of will, strength and pure luck.
This morning the weather was picture perfect and the scores proved to be solid and in the red for many morning players. Suzann Pettersen and Na Yeon Choi played in perfect conditions posting the low rounds of -4. Jodi Ewart Shadoff used her mental strength to take down the winds of the afternoon and joined Choi and Pettersen at the top of the Leader Board at 4-under.
Shadoff had to fight hard to make a par 5 on the 18th hole when she clobbered her drive well right of the fairway into some incredibly deep rough behind a very intimidating tall tree.
“There were two options,” said Ewart Shadoff, the 25-year-old Englishwoman in her second full year on the LPGA Tour. “Punch fade it around the tree, left, or punch it right around the tree and keep it over the bunker at the same time. I took the safer route and it paid off.” She then had to nail a 187 yard 3rd shot onto the green into the wind. BAM!! She did just that and made a safe 2-putt from 30 feet to join the leaders on top.
The three hold a one-stroke lead over Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and South Korea’s Amy Yang who sit at a comfortable 3 under. Lizette Salas is in at 2 under while Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie and Yani Tseng are two more back at even par.
Brides Maid
Suzann Pettersen (thanks wikipedia)
Suzann Pettersen feels just a little pressure this week and a bit of a fire in her belly. Shehas finished second three times and tied for fifth in the LPGA’s first major of the season, the most heartbreaking ending coming in 2007 when she lost a four-stroke lead with four holes to play as Morgan Pressel slipped by her for the title and a dip into Poppy’s Pond. Will this be the year for Pettersen?
Today she walked up to the first tee with no ‘baggage’ from the previous years and she played solid and with a confidence that seems undaunted.
“Today was everything I could ask for in an opening round,” said Pettersen, looking to win her first major since the 2007 LPGA Championship. “I’ve just been feeling really good all week, and it’s about just kind of trusting what you have. … You know what, it’s really just trying and go out there and literally trying to enjoy it, which is probably the hardest thing for me. I’ll never forget when (Hall of Famer) Kathy Whitworth came up to me, I think it was in ’09, and she shook my hand and said don’t ever let the passion get in my way. It’s really spot on. I just need to get out there and have fun.”
Could this finally be Pettersen’s year? Many at the tournament are saying it is…at least that is the buzz around the media area. I know she has the game and her swing looks solid and strong. But what we cannot see is what is inside her head. I do hope she is at peace with the past and can stay in the present…then…just then yes this could be the year!
Final Thoughts
I had the chance to be out with the players and take in the first round not as a player or a casual spectator, but as the Bunkers Paradise Media Point person. Being inside the ropes and not playing is very difficult…that is until you see the faces of the players showing frustration after missing a 5 foot par putt! That I can safely say I don’t miss.
However, I saw so many amazing shots. One shot from Brittany Lang from the rough well right of the fairway. She and her caddie discussed options– punching out, hitting a low fade through the tiny opening or up and over with a slight wind at her back. He wanted to have her hit a wedge up and over short and then try to get up and down. She didn’t feel comfortable and decided (with pure conviction and determination) that her best option was over the tree with a 9 iron and hit it onto the green! She did just that and almost made birdie!! I loved listening to them discuss and the player deciding without hesitation on her choice. Awesome Ms. Lang!
I also watched a Hall of Fame legend play a few holes on the back nine in the afternoon. Amy Alcott, teed it up with kids that are…well 40 years younger. She played well but the wind got the best of her on the back nine. She made the turn at 2 over and ended up with an 81. But the amazing part of her play, she kept a smile and a cool energy that was infectious. Amy is an old friend and it was nice to see her playing in a major again. Go get old man par tomorrow Amy!
Finally, I sat around the 18th green and just watched the players come in one after the other and you could see the history and the prestige of the tournament on their faces as they made the walk around Poppy’s Pond and came face to face with Dinah Shore’s statue. Not one player passed her without looking up with a little smile…a smile as if they were saying thank you for this chance of a lifetime.
I ‘fore’ one thank Dinah Shore for being an Ambassador for women’s golf and helping create this most gorgeous and competitive environment and venue!
Now, let’s get to the 2nd round! As I sit outside writing this story up, I can hear and feel the wind pick up! I can only imagine what nature has in store for the LPGA Players tomorrow! GOOD LUCK!
‘keep smiling and always believe’
