Tag: Cristie Kerr

LPGA all-time money list top 20 topped by Annika Sorenstam

This list is updated through the 2024 JM Eagle LA Championship at Wilshire Country Club

The LPGA has three members of the $20 million club, five who have won at least $17 million in on-course earnings, 24 with $10 million or more and 81 who have earned at least $5 million.

Annika Sorenstam leads the way. Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and Cristie Kerr are the three golfers who have surpassed $20 million.

Nellly Korda, with her win the 2024 Chevron Championship, her second major, surpassed $11 million. Jin Young Ko has become the 20th to reach the $12 million mark.

Let’s take a closer look here at the top 20 of all-time.

This list is updated through the 2024 JM Eagle LA Championship at Wilshire Country Club.

Can a mom win on the LPGA for the first time since 2020? A local mom is in position at the Ford Championship

The last mom to win on the LPGA was Stacy Lewis at the 2020 Scottish Open.

GILBERT, Ariz. — The last mom to win on the LPGA was Stacy Lewis at the 2020 Scottish Open. This week, there are 10 mothers teeing it up in the Ford Championship, the seventh tournament on the LPGA’s 2024 schedule.

That includes Lindsey Weaver-Wright, who played high school golf in Cave Creek, Arizona, and completed her college career at the University of Arizona.

Weaver-Wright is playing in her first LPGA event since she became a mom to son Crew on Dec. 17. She opened her week with a bogey-free, 4-under 68 at Seville Golf and Country Club, which is hosting the inaugural Ford Championship

“I didn’t really know what to expect, so I just went into the whole week with very little expectation,” she said. “Got a lot going on in my mind right now. Yeah, Crew was just, it’s so funny just getting his texts from daycare, updates after the round. I just love it. My husband is updating me and he gets all the notifications, too.”

Her last shot in her last tournament before taking leave last October was a hole-out eagle.

PHOTOS: Ford Championship

Weaver-Wright trails co-leader Azahara Munoz of Spain, one of three to shoot an 8-under 64 on Thursday, along with Gabi Ruffels and Isi Gabsa.

Other moms playing this week include Sophia Popov and Caroline Masson, who played as a parent for the first time a week ago as well as Lewis, Brittany Lincicome, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Mel Reid and Hee Young Park.

Here are seven U.S. players primed to be future Solheim Cup captains

When it comes to future U.S. Solheim Cup captains, Team USA has a deep pool of candidates.

When it comes to future U.S. Solheim Cup captains, Team USA has a deep pool of candidates. So deep, in fact, that it might be some time before we see some big names take the helm.

Stacy Lewis recently named a record four assistant captains for the 2024 Solheim Cup, adding Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome into the fold. Morgan Pressel and Angela Stanford return as assistants after working with Lewis last year in Spain.

What does the Solheim Cup committee look for in choosing a captain? Past Solheim Cup experience is a must. While winning a major isn’t a requirement (i.e. Rosie Jones), it’s definitely preferred.

And given how much the Solheim Cup has grown over the years, experience as an assistant captain will surely be seen as a vital component.

The list of players who should be given the honor is so long, in fact, that it’s hard to see how someone like Dottie Pepper gets back into the fold, though it’s certainly possible.

Here’s a list of decorated players who are likely to get the nod in the coming years:

10 surprising names left out of LPGA Hall of Fame, including several World Golf Hall of Fame members

There are surprises on this list.

Lydia Ko now stands one point away from qualifying for the LPGA Hall of Fame. She’d be the 35th member of the LPGA Hall, nine of which are honorary members. Only 25 players have met the Hall’s requirements.

The LPGA Hall remains one of the most exclusive in all of sports. Players must reach 27 points to get in: (one point for each regular LPGA victory; two for a major win; one point each for the LPGA Rolex Player of the Year and Vare Trophy awards; and one point for an Olympic gold medal).

In addition to having 27 points, players must also either win an LPGA major, Vare Trophy or Player of the Year honors.

The 27-point threshold was actually lowered in the late 1990s when it looked like some of the greatest to ever play the game weren’t going to get in under the old system that required 30 LPGA victories with two major championships, or 35 with one major, or 40 with no majors.

Even so, there are a number of players even hard-core fans might be surprised aren’t in the LPGA Hall, though many are in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Here’s a list of 10 decorated players still on the outside looking in:

Padraig Harrington, Cristie Kerr among finalists for World Golf Hall of Fame 2024 induction class

Final selections for the 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame induction class will be announced the week of March 6.

The World Golf Hall of Fame announced its finalists for the 2024 Hall of Fame induction class Wednesday, and it’s loaded with star power.

Among the big names? Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk. Cristie Kerr and Dottie Pepper.

Final selections for the 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame induction class will be announced the week of March 6. There are 12 finalists, and they include major champions, instructors and those who had a profound impact on the game, including the remaining seven of the 13 founders of the LPGA.

The finalists were selected by a nominating committee comprised of select Hall of Fame members, media, World Golf Foundation Board organizations and at-large selections. Additionally, all living Hall of Fame members were sent ballots and had the opportunity to vote.

“The nominating committee has selected finalists who represent the highest caliber of competitors and contributors,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of World Golf Hall of Fame. “Congratulations to all who have been nominated for this special recognition.”

These 12 finalists will be considered for admission into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Class of 2024 by a 20-member Selection Committee, comprised of Hall of Fame members, media representatives and leaders of the major golf organizations. They will be tasked with reviewing the merits and qualifications of each finalist and ultimately selecting the Class of 2024.

The 12 finalists are Padraig Harrington, Tom Weiskopf, Dottie Pepper, Jim Furyk, Cristie Kerr, Sandra Palmer, Peter Dawson, Butch Harmon, Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, Jay Sigel, and the seven remaining co-founders of the LPGA: Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Detweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Shirley Spork, Sally Sessions.

Harrington won 21 times professionally, 15 of those coming on the European tour. he also has three major victories and appeared on six Ryder Cup teams. He also captained the 2020 team.

Weiskopf won 16 times on the PGA Tour and captured the 1973 Open Championship.

Pepper won 17 times on the LPGA, including two majors. She was also tabbed 1992 Player of the Year and was a part of six Solheim Cup teams.

Palmer has 21 victories and two majors in her career, earning Player of the Year honors in 1975.

Dawson served as chief executive of the R&A for 16 years and played a pivotal role in golf returning to the Olympics.

Harmon is one of the best instructors in golf history. His pupils include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman.

Farrell has 22 victories on Tour and won the 1928 U.S. Open.

Furyk has captured 17 wins on the PGA Tour, including the 2003 U.S. Open. He was named Player of the Year in 2010. He’s the only golfer to have shot a 58 in competition.

Hanson won the U.S. Women’s Am in 1950 and went on to win three majors and 17 titles.

Kerr has 20 official victories and two majors and has been a part of nine Solheim Cup teams. She ranks third on the LPGA’s all-time money list.

Sigel was a stellar amateur, winning 27 total am events, including the 1982-83 U.S. Amateur, the 1979 British Am and three U.S. Mid-Ams.

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U.S. Women’s Open special exemptions are always coveted – especially at a place like Pebble Beach. See which players received one recently and who might in 2023

Entries open for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach next Wednesday.

Entries open for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach next Wednesday, which means the most highly-anticipated women’s golf event of the year is drawing near. Golf fans get to watch the men compete every year at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, as well as the occasional U.S. Open, but July 5-9 will be the first time the best females in the world take on the iconic course.

Once entries open, players also have the chance to apply for a special exemption. Those are few and far between, of course. Patty Berg received the first special exemption back in 1977, as well as ones in 1978 and 1979.

Juli Inkster is also a three-time recipient, landing special exemptions in 1983, 1994 and 2013. It’s doubtful that Inkster, a two-time USWO winner who hails from Northern California, would get a fourth exemption, but don’t be surprised to see the 62-year-old try to qualify.

Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr received special exemptions in 2021 at The Olympic Club. It would be surprising to see either player receive a second one.

Annika Sorenstam would be a no-brainer to receive a special exemption. The three-time USWO winner has never asked for a special exemption. She played last year at Pine Needles after earning her way in with victory at the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Sorenstam, of course, came up short at last year’s USSWO and said that she didn’t plan to play as much in 2023. She would have to officially request the exemption for Pebble (which the USGA would certainly green-light), but hasn’t yet decided.

Rose Zhang, a former U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, is exempt into the USWO after winning the Mark H. McCormack Medal for top amateur a third time. However, should the Stanford player choose to turn professional after the NCAA Championship, she would no longer be exempt. Zhang could always go through qualifying, but it’s worth noting that Michelle Wie West received a special exemption both as an amateur and a young professional before joining the LPGA.

Inkster, a three-time U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, also received her first special exemption shortly after turning professional as did two-time U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Vicki Goetze-Ackerman (1993).

Laura Davies, 59, has expressed a desire to play at Pebble Beach, noting at last year’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open that she might try to qualify. Davies, winner of the 1987 USWO and 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, received a special exemption in 2009. The first British player to win the championship, Davies’ victory caused the LPGA to change its constitution, giving her automatic membership.

Of course, special exemptions aren’t given out every year. From 2010 to 2012, no player received one. The same was true for 2022.

Here’s a list of of the players who received special exemptions from 2000 to 2021:

An elite Florida women’s amateur event to be held this week has spawned stars like Cristie Kerr, Grace Park, Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson

The 97th-anniversary edition of the tournament tees off this week — a field of golfers that grows younger and deeper by the year.

ORMOND BEACH, Florida — The 97th-anniversary edition of the Sally Championship tees off this week in its modern form — a field of golfers that seems to grow younger and deeper by the year.

The Championship Division features 85 golfers from top college programs and plenty of even younger talent from the top rungs of the national junior rankings, all here to face the unique challenges presented by Oceanside Country Club, where the fickle beachside elements always play a role.

Following Tuesday’s annual Member-Sally event, the 72-hole, stroke-play tournament — formally known as the Women’s South Atlantic Amateur Championship — runs Wednesday through Saturday.

Leading the way is defending champion Emma McMyler, a junior at Xavier University, who won by a stroke last year with a total of 1-under 287. She tees off at 10:02 Wednesday morning to start her title defense.

Ellen Hume
Ellen Hume won the Sally Amateur to start 2021. (Daytona Beach News-Journal)

Emma McMyler won last year’s Sally Championship by one shot.
A few other golfers from last year’s top-10 finishers return this year, including the nation’s top-ranked junior, Ohio’s Gianna Clemente. She made history last summer as a 14-year-old, earning three straight LPGA Tour starts through Monday qualifiers.

The second-ranked player on the current junior rankings, Kaitlyn Schroeder of Jacksonville, also returns this year after tying for fourth with Clemente, at 2 over par, in last year’s Sally. Schroeder, who enrolls this month at the University of Alabama, was the 2022 American Junior Golf Association’s Player of the Year.

This week’s field also includes a handful of high school golfers from the nearby Daytona Beach area: Amelia Cobb (Seabreeze), Riley Fletcher (Seabreeze), Vanessa Perry (Spruce Creek) and Alexandra Gazzoli (Matanzas).

The Sally’s history is tied to a wintertime group of amateur tournaments in Florida dubbed the Orange Blossom Circuit. Its list of past champions includes a pair of Hall of Famers — Patty Berg (1938-39) and Babe Zaharias (1947) — as well as some modern LPGA Tour stars such as Cristie Kerr, Grace Park, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda and Brooke Henderson.

Nelly Korda, the younger sister of LPGA player Jessica Korda during the first round of the 86th South Atlantic Amateur at Oceanside Country Club.

From the 1920s to the 2020s, an oncoming Sally sends golfers to the oncoming forecast. This week’s daily offerings from Wednesday through Saturday, at least so far, include a temp range from low 80s to low 50s, predominant winds from three different directions, and a decent chance of thunderstorms during Thursday’s second round.

Tee times run from 7:30 a.m. to about noon each day.

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Cristie Kerr headlines record number of entrants for 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles

Kerr won the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open held at Pine Needles but is not exempt this year.

A record number of entries were filed for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Golf Association has announced. The 1,874 total narrowly tops the previous record of 1,873 set in 2015, when the championship was held at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club.

Past champions Cristie Kerr (2007) and Eun Hee Ji (2009) were among those who filed entries for this year’s championship, scheduled for June 2-5 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Kerr won the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open held at Pine Needles but is not exempt this year. Last year, the former No. 1 competed on a special exemption at The Olympic Club.

Kerr, 44, is scheduled to compete in Morristown, New Jersey, on May 10, while Ji, 35, is in the Fort Myers, Florida, qualifier on May 4.

Leonie Tavares, 11, of Canada is the youngest entrant, and Denise Callahan, 61, from Canton, Ohio, is the oldest. California amateur Vanessa Wang, 21, was the last one in, beating the April 6 deadline by seven minutes.

Annika Sörenstam of Sweden plays her shot from the second tee during the second round of the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 21, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

2021 USWO winner Yuka Saso and Annika Sorenstam are two of the past champions who highlight the field along with Michelle Wie West (2014), Inbee Park (2008, 2013), So Yeon Ryu (2011), In Gee Chun (2015), Brittany Lang (2016), Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2018), Jeongeun Lee6 (2019), and A Lim Kim (2020).

There are 82 players who are fully exempt into the championship. That number will increase with the addition of winners from any LPGA co-sponsored event prior to the USWO as well as any player who is among the top 75 points leaders and ties from the Rolex Rankings as of May 16, who is not otherwise exempt.

Here’s the list of exempt players 2022 U.S. Women’s Open (as of April 6):

Marina Alex
Brittany Altomare
Na Ria An
Pajaree Anannarukarn
Pia Babnik
Celine Boutier
a-Blakesly Brock
a-Jensen Castle
Matilda Castren
Hye-Jin Choi
Na Yeon Choi
In Gee Chun
Carlota Ciganda
a-Anna Davis
a-Louise Duncan
Austin Ernst
Ally Ewing
Ayaka Furue
Hannah Green
Georgia Hall
Mina Harigae
Nasa Hataoka
Brooke M. Henderson
Charley Hull
Ariya Jutanugarn
Moriya Jutanugarn
Danielle Kang
Megan Khang
A Lim Kim
Hyo Joo Kim
In-Kyung Kim
Sei Young Kim
Jin Young Ko
Lydia Ko
Sakura Koiwai
Jessica Korda
Nelly Korda
Jennifer Kupcho
Brittany Lang
Alison Lee
Da Yeon Lee
Minjee Lee
Mirim Lee
So Mi Lee
Jeongeun Lee6
Stacy Lewis
Hee Jeong Lim
Xiyu Liu
Pernilla Lindberg
Wenbo Liu
Gaby Lopez
Nanna Koertz Madsen
Leona Maguire
Caroline Masson
Yuna Nishimura
Yealimi Noh
Anna Nordqvist
Amy Olson
Ryann O’Toole
Hyun Kung Park
Inbee Park
Sung Hyun Park
Sophia Popov
Melissa Reid
Hae Ran Ryu
So Yeon Ryu
Madelene Sagstrom
Mao Saigo
Lizette Salas
Yuka Saso
Hinako Shibuno
Annika Sorenstam
Angela Stanford
Ai Suzuki
Patty Tavatanakit
Atthaya Thitikul
Lexi Thompson
Momoko Ueda
Michelle Wie West
Amy Yang
Angel Yin
a-Rose Zhang

*a- amateur

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Cristie Kerr, 43, awarded special exemption into U.S. Women’s Open field at The Olympic Club

Cristie Kerr joins fellow former champion Paula Creamer as the two special exemptions into the U.S. Women’s Open in June in San Francisco.

Cristie Kerr has accepted a special exemption into the 76th U.S. Women’s Open, the USGA announced Monday.

Kerr, 43, will make her 24th consecutive start in the championship June 3-6 at The Olympic Club’s Lake Course in San Francisco.

Kerr won the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The championship returns there for a record fourth time in 2022. She has eight top-10 finishes, the most recent coming at the 2016 USWO at CordeValle in San Martin, California.

“Winning the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles was a career- and life-changing moment,” said Kerr. “I’m grateful to everyone at the USGA for this special exemption and the opportunity to continue to play in what I consider our sport’s greatest championship. I can’t wait to arrive at The Olympic Club and tee it up in my 26th U.S. Women’s Open.”

Last week, 2010 USWO winner Paula Creamer accepted a special exemption to compete in this year’s championship. Creamer, 34, grew up in Pleasanton, California, less than 50 miles from the historic venue. She’s had five top-10 finishes and 11 top-20 finishes in her 17 USWO career starts, including a victory at Oakmont.

Kerr’s special exemption brings the total to 13 U.S. Women’s Open champions in the field.

Prior to Creamer, two-time champion Karrie Webb of Australia was the last player to receive a special exemption into the U.S. Women’s Open, in 2018 at Shoal Creek in Alabama. The two most recent special exemptions before Webb were given to Se Ri Pak in 2016 at CordeValle and Juli Inkster in 2013 at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

Kerr, a 20-time winner on the LPGA and former World No. 1, has made six starts on tour this season, with her best, a tie for 28th, coming at the ANA Inspiration.

Cristie Kerr shoots 68 at CME Group Tour Championship just weeks after dislocating ribs

Cristie Kerr shot a 68 just weeks after an injury in a golf cart accident and all the news from Thursday at the CME Group Tour Championship.

Cristie Kerr, winner of the 2015 CME Group Tour Championship, shot a 4-under-par 68 in the first round on Thursday.

That part isn’t a surprise.

Considering she’s still recovering from three dislocated ribs she suffered in a golf cart accident two weeks ago, though, it’s quite something.

“I actually feel a little bit better today, but I just thought it was really important to get through last week,” said Kerr, who played in the frigid conditions in the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open on Monday in Houston. “There were points where I didn’t think that I was going to be able to, but I guess when they say there is a will there is a way.”

Kerr decided not to will her way through the entire pro-am Wednesday, stopping with five holes to play. She said the pain level for her was improved Thursday.

“It was like a two to three today, so it was a little bit better,” Kerr said. “Honestly, Sunday last week when we played the one hole it was like nine. I got very lucky to not play that day and to go get treatment and come back out the next day and finish the round, to be able to finish.

“It was pretty bad. Of there were points last week where I didn’t think I was going to be able to finish. Since coming here and getting therapy and doing more cryotherapy, I definitely felt — in the pro-am as the day went on it got a little bit worse and I saved myself a few holes there, but today of the best I’ve felt in two weeks.”

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Lexi leads early

Playing partner and rookie Andrea Lee was impressed with Kerr’s play Thursday. That included some up-and-downs for par, including chipping in for par on one hole.

“We just call her the Short Game Queen because she gets up and down from everywhere,” Lee said.

Back on course after positive COVID test

Andrea Lee had to miss the U.S. Women’s Open last week after testing positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 8, and withdrawing.

“It was definitely the worst week to get it,” Lee said Thursday. “I was really looking forward to playing Champions (in Houston). I’ve played there before a long time ago and was really looking forward to it. it happens. There’s nothing you can do about it. You’ve just got to hope that your health is good, and that you’re ready to go for the next one.”

Lee could not be cleared to play either day of the pro-am at the CME Group Tour Championship, and flew in Wednesday night, then played the first round Thursday. She shot a 1-under 71.

“I’m pretty satisfied with that honestly because I haven’t hit a ball in like 10 or 11 days,” said Lee, who had said she had mild symptoms. “I’ve just been stuck in my room trying to putt. I kind of went out there and trusted my caddie (Andrew Dearden) because he’s seen the course many times, so that was helpful.

“… I’m honestly glad that I’m just even here playing, even though I didn’t have any prep.”

In the field with just enough notice

Knowing she would have to go through the coronavirus testing protocol turned out to be a good thing for Robynn Ree. She saw she was first alternate, so decided to make the trip to Naples, because if she’d have to be tested and cleared in case she got in the field. So Ree flew in on the red eye, got tested, and went to play a practice round.

Wednesday afternoon she found out that Mi Hyang Lee had withdrawn, putting her into the tournament.

“I’m just really grateful to be play one more tournament before the season’s over,” said Ree, who shot a 2-over 74.

Masson with the eagle

Caroline Masson was playing steadily, sitting at 1 under through 12 holes. But the 13th ended up being lucky for her. She hit a 9-iron on the short par-4, and it went in for an eagle.

“It was pretty cool,” she said. “I had a pretty good number for a 9-iron, a little downwind, and kind of hit the shot I wanted and it pitched on top and just released a little bit. I kind of wasn’t really looking anymore because I thought it was good, but I didn’t realize it would go in.

“There were a couple people up by the green, which was nice. Started cheering and, yeah, definitely obviously a great bonus. It was a good shot, so nice to see something like that go in. You can never expect it.”

Masson also holed out during the pro-am Tuesday.

“So I’m hoping that they come in three this week,” she said.

Henderson bounces back

Brooke Henderson, who has a condo at Miromar Lakes, had an inauspicious start at home. She made a triple bogey on No. 2, but Henderson was able to come back enough to get to 1 over.

After the double, Henderson played the next 14 holes at 2 under, and bogeyed No. 17, but came back with a birdie on No. 18.

Kang birdies for St. Jude

Danielle Kang was moved during her media session Wednesday by an interaction with childhood cancer survivor Mary Browder, 17, who was at this tournament a year ago and beat Hodgkins lymphoma.

Kang pledged to donate $1,000 per birdie this week in Browder’s honor. She made four in Thursday’s first round.

CME Chairman and CEO Terry Duffy said a flat $500,000 donation for its season-long hole-in-one program will be made to St. Jude this year due to the abbreviated LPGA Tour schedule.

TV talent

Terry Gannon is back for his second straight week at Tiburón. He did play-by-play for the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout that ended Sunday, and he’ll do play-by-play for the CME Group Tour Championship through Sunday. Judy Rankin will be the analyst, with Tom Abbott in the tower, and Jerry Foltz and Karen Stupples as on-course analysts, and Damon Hack doing interviews. Foltz also was here for QBE coverage.

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