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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Hyo Joo Kim, Pernilla Lindberg, Brittany Lincicome
Thursday - 7:49 a.m. – 1st Tee (LPGA Photo)
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Paradise Island, Bahamas – World No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn, the reigning LPGA Player of the Year, hasn’t touched a golf club but for a handful of times since she won the Race to the CME Globe in November. Her long layoff and goals that are not based solely on performance means she doesn’t have high expectations for this week’s $1.4 million Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, which begins at 7:05 a.m. EST at the Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis Resort.
But after winning five times last year and leading the LPGA money list, Jutanugarn has to be among the favorites in the field of 108 players as the LPGA season once again begins here in this idyllic locale.
“Right now, to me, especially this week, no expectation at all,” Jutanugarn said Wednesday at the Ocean Club. “I just going to play, try to do the things under my control. And, you know, like this year is 2017 is not going to be like 2016. We're just going to try to do something fun and don't worry about the outcome.”
The 2016 season certainly was fun for the native of Thailand. Her five victories included her first major title at the RICOH Women’s British Open. But the winning wasn’t what she enjoyed most. That was just a byproduct of solid play. “You know, it [was] so much fun,” she said. “It's not because I can win a tournament, but I can really commit with my shot and like focus on the things under my control. That is fun for me.”
Three other top-10 players from the Rolex Women’s World Rankings join Jutanugarn at the par-73 Ocean Club that measures 6,625 yards: No. 5 Lexi Thompson, No. 6 Sei Young Kim, who won the 2015 title here, and No. 8 Brooke Henderson.
Thompson comes in hampered slightly by inflammation in her right hand, but otherwise she said she is in the best shape of her career thanks to help from new trainer Kolby Tullier, and she is fired up for the new year. “I’ve been excited the last week or two just getting ready,” Thompson said. “I played in the Diamond Resorts Invitational and had a lot of fun there, but it was a tournament. It got me ready for this so I’m excited to get started in the Bahamas.”
Henderson, who won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, also is raring to go. “I've had a lot of practice the last few weeks, so to finally get into tournament mode and on the LPGA is really exciting, and no better place to do he it than here in the Bahamas,” the Canadian standout said. “So, hopefully I'll play well this week and hopefully see my name on top of the leaderboard.”
In all, there are 13 major winners in the field, including Stacy Lewis, runner-up last year, Paula Creamer, Yani Tseng, Michelle Wie, and Hall of Famer Juli Inkster. Also here is defending champion Hyo Joo Kim and past winners Jessica Korda and Ilhee Lee.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, 14 rookies tee it up Thursday, including Olafia Kristinsdottir, the first golfer from Iceland to earn her LPGA card. Another newcomer is Nelly Korda, younger sister of Jessica, the 2014 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic winner.
Golf Channel will provide 10 hours of live coverage beginning on Thursday, Jan. 26,from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. EST. Live second-round coverage on Friday, Jan. 27, also is 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., while live coverage of the final two rounds Saturday and Sunday will air 3-5 p.m. EST.
Admission is free for all spectators.
Click here for complete groups and tee times for the opening round of the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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