Na Yeon Choi is Leader but Inbee Park Lurking at the Ricoh Women’s British Open Championship
Inbee Park hasn’t had to come from behind very much when it has come to major championships, but she has a little work ahead of her this weekend at the Ricoh Women’s British Open sitting 8 shots behind steady playing leader Na Yeon Choi. Choi is as steady as they come thus far posting a pair of 67’s, but she has a strong field of hungry golfers wanting that major championship and one specific player trying to make history with a 4 in a row major run.
I. Park didn’t have her best day, or even best couple days when it comes to golf having lost a strong potential 1st round to her driver on the back 9. And the second round provided a bit more of a challenge with her afternoon round and the notorious winds at the Old Course at St. Andrews picking up. I. Park shot a 1-over 73 putting her at only -2 for the championship. She has a lot of work ahead of her but feels it is not out of the question as the course will only become more difficult through the weekend.
As for Na Yeon Choi (-10), she has to contend with the likes of Miki Saiki (1 back at -9), Morgan Pressel (2 back at -8), Suzann Pettersen (3 back at -7) and Stacy Lewis (5 back at -5). The field is strong and there is no holding anyone back from the over $2 million purse.
Moving Up the Leader Board Quietly
Miki Saiki fired a 66 which is the lowest round in this championship to date. She was able to do that with a couple of 2’s on her card. The two eagles were on par 4’s…yes you guessed it, she holed out from the fairway on No 4 (127 yards) and No. 7 (108 yards).
Who is M. Saiki? She has won 2 times on the Japanese Ladies Professional Tour and turned pro in the middle of her 4th year at Tohoku University School in Sendai, Japan but finished her degree. She grew up loving the game that her grandfather adored. He was the inspiration behind her turning professional and doing what she loves.
Saiki feels confident that she can continue playing well. She loves the wind and believes she can stay true to her game and focused no matter the weather.
Final Thoughts
As I have said before and I will continue to say until late Sunday night when the Solheim Cup teams are announced, every shot counts and nothing shall be taken as a tap in. The weather will continue to confuse the players in club selection and mental toughness. This is the Old Course and St. Andrews and anything can happen when it comes to weather and pin placements. The ladies must be mentally prepared to take on anything and everything and by the end of the day on Sunday (barring no playoff) the champion will be crowed and we will know who will be leading their respective countries in a couple of weeks.
I have never play the Old Course at St. Andrews, but will be there next summer to take on the beast. I am watching every move and shot so that I can take down old man par…or he can clean my clock and we can have a ‘beer cheer’ afterwards!
The weekend is here and the ladies are ready…it is up to their minds to make it happen. Who do you think has what it takes?
‘keep smiling and always believe’
