Tag: Emily Kristine Pedersen

Notable players missing from this week’s CME Group Tour Championship field

There’s still plenty of talk about who didn’t make the field in Naples, Florida.

NAPLES, Fla. — While nine players are making their debut at this week’s CME Group Tour Championship, there’s still plenty of talk about who didn’t make the field.

Throughout the season, players earn points toward the Race to CME Globe, which is used not only to determine the field at Tiburon Golf Club but also to determine what kind of status – if any – players have for the next season.

The top 60 players and ties after The Annika driven by Gainbridge event qualified for the Tour Championship, which features a $7 million purse and $2 million payout to the winner.

HOW TO WATCH: 2023 CME Group Tour Championship

Here’s a list of notable names whose seasons have ended early:

Players at The Annika fighting to keep their LPGA cards for 2024

The penultimate event of the year on the LPGA is layered with interest.

The penultimate event of the year on the LPGA is layered with interest as some players fight for spots in the lucrative CME Group Tour Championship while others fight for their jobs.

There’s great emphasis on the 60th spot of the CME points list, the cutoff point for the season-ending event with the $7 million purse. What’s even more impactful for many players, however, is the 100th spot. The top 100 players on the points list maintain full cards for the 2024 season. The top 80 receive the best status available.

Midway leader Emily Kristine Pedersen holds a two-stroke lead at The Annika driven by Gainbridge after rounds of 63-65 put her at 12 under at Pelican Golf Club. Pedersen entered the week 80th on the CME list and is projected to move to 34th should she triumph for the first time on the LPGA. While winning will require a good bit of work, Pedersen is in fine shape to jump into the top 60.

2023 Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican
Emily Kristine Pedersen plays her shot from the third tee during the second round of the 2023 Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican at Pelican at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. (Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Dane had plenty of memorable moments at the Solheim Cup in Spain this year, including an ace, and carried that fire into the regular season.

“I think I haven’t really been good at cheering on myself in normal tournaments,” she said. “I’m kind of like getting annoyed about the bad things, but when the good things happen I take it for granted a little bit.

“So I have been trying to pat myself on the back a little bit more when I’m doing something good, and that’s definitely something I’m taken from the Solheim.”

Minami Katsu, who currently sits in second, also hopes to vault into the top 60. Currently 78th on the points list, she’s projected to move to No. 49 should she remain in that position.

Meanwhile, Muni He, who is rocketing up the board, is in a fight for full status. Players who finish 81st to 100th on the CME list fall into Category 11 on the LPGA priority list, which is used to fill fields. He started the week 113th and is tied for fourth after two days at The Annika. He is currently projected to move up to 92nd on the money list.

Those who fall between Nos. 101 to 125 on the list will be in Category 16 next season. Some players who finish outside the top 100 will go to Q-Series later this year to improve their status. The top 45 finishers from Q-Series fall in Categories 14 and 15 and are listed in the order they finish.

Here are five notables currently battling for full status:

See which Solheim Cup captain’s picks have come up big in Spain and which have been on the bench

Cheyenne Knight (2-0-0) is undefeated so far in Spain.

Solheim Cup captains are always judged in part by their captain’s picks. The composition of the two 12-person teams are different in that Suzann Pettersen selects four players for Europe compared to Stacy Lewis’ three picks for Team USA.

So far, the European captain’s picks have combined for 4½ points to Team USA’s four points. While Pettersen has practically hidden two of her picks with Caroline Hedwall and Gemma Dryburgh only playing in one match apiece, she has leaned heavily on one pick: Emily Pedersen. The Dane is one of three European players to tee it up in all four matches. No American, however, will play every session.

Solheim Cup: 5 things we learned from Saturday

Here’s a look at how all seven captain’s picks have fared so far this week:

Late-day heroics pull Europe within two points at 2023 Solheim Cup

“I’m immensely proud of the way the entire team fought back in the afternoon,” said European captain Suzann Pettersen.”

It could’ve gotten ugly real fast. Instead, Team Europe holed out three shots – including only the second ace in Solheim Cup history – in the afternoon fourball session to claw their way back and secure momentum after the U.S. team’s historic morning sweep.

In fact, it looked for a moment like Europe might get a sweep themselves in the afternoon. With three of four matches extending to the 18th as sunlight dwindled, Europe managed to put up three points, and now trail the Americans 5-3 with two days left of competition.

“I have to say, I’m immensely proud of the way the entire team fought back in the afternoon,” said European captain Suzann Pettersen. “It’s not easy to stand on that tee in the afternoon knowing you’re down four after the first session. So I got to say, hat’s off to all my players, the way they fought and the way they showed their character on this Friday afternoon. I think the level of golf that was played in the afternoon was unbelievable.”

Solheim Cup: Photos

Leona Maguire, the undisputed MVP of the 2021 Cup at Inverness, chipped in on the 18th hole to secure Europe’s first full point alongside partner Georgia Hall.

“She turned around to me and said, ‘How would you have done it?’ ” said Pettersen. “And I said, ‘just the same.’ ”

Both Maguire and Hall played 36 holes at hilly Finca Cortesin but dug deep.

“It was really tough with the wind,” said Maguire. “I don’t think I ever hit as many 3-woods in my life. But every half point, every point, is really hard-earned and just really proud of the whole team for fighting back this afternoon.”

Emily Pedersen struggled early on Friday but gave the home crowd a jolt of energy with an ace on the par-3 12th and nearly a second one on the 17th.

Gemma Dryburgh of Team Europe reacts on the 12th green during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

It wasn’t long after that rookie Gemma Dryburgh chipped in from 30 yards on the 16th playing alongside Madelene Sagstrom. Rose Zhang drained a birdie putt on top to halve the hole, but it was still a building block of momentum for Pettersen’s squad.

“I loved every minute of it,” said Dryburgh. “That chip-in on 16 was the pinnacle, but I had to calm myself down for the next hole, so that was a new experience for me.”

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda waited her entire life to tee it up in a Solheim Cup in Spain, and then she had to wait all morning before Pettersen put her in the lineup. The Spaniard didn’t disappoint, teaming up with Sweden’s Linn Grant to give Europe its most decisive victory, 4 and 2.

“Carlota, I’m just trying to put a leash on this week,” said Pettersen. “I mean, she would jump off and fly if she could. So I’m really just trying to keep her grounded. She’s playing fantastic.”

Europe’s Emily Kristine Pedersen plays slope to make wild hole-in-one at 2023 Solheim Cup

The ace is just the second in Solheim Cup history.

CASARES, Spain — The struggle had been all too real for Team Europe’s Emily Kristine Pedersen on the first day of the 2023 Solheim Cup.

After losing 5-and-4 alongside Charley Hull to Americans Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight in Friday morning’s foursomes session, the Dane was sent back out to play with Maja Stark in the afternoon fourball session and proceeded to struggle.

Until the 12th hole.

A few players had played the slope from off the green on the par 3 to get close to the hole, but nobody did so better than Pedersen. She landed her ball in the perfect spot and watched it turn right and roll into the bottom of the cup. The ace is just the second in Solheim Cup history as Pedersen joins teammate and assistant caption Anna Nordqvist, who was the first to accomplish the feat in 2013.

Pedersen is making her third appearance for Team Europe this week and carries a 3-5-0 record.

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2023 Solheim Cup Friday morning foursomes pairings feature struggling Lexi Thompson out first

World No. 2 Lilia Vu is on the bench for the opening matches, as is rising star Rose Zhang.

CASARES, Spain — The opening tee shots of the 2023 Solheim Cup are just hours away and the first group of pairings have officially been announced.

Friday morning’s foursomes pairings and matches at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast were released during the opening ceremony Thursday night at nearby Marbella Arena, with none other than U.S. star Lexi Thompson, who has struggled this year, set to take the first swing alongside Megan Khang against European and Swedish rookies, Linn Grant and Maja Stark.

Notably on the bench for the American side are world No. 2 Lilia Vu, who won two major championships this season, as well as rising star Rose Zhang, who has a penchant for match play.

“I wanted to get off to a good start. I wanted to get out four really good pairings and that’s kind of been my focus this whole time,” said U.S. captain Stacy Lewis. “So it was more about who matched up together versus even — I didn’t even look at who was sitting, to be honest. I wasn’t even worried about who was sitting. It was more just what are my best four options.”

“For my sake, I feel like I’ve had these four pairings down on paper for quite a few months now,” added European captain Suzann Pettersen. “It was more like in what order do you play ’em.”

Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the first session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)

MEET THE TEAMS: Europe | USA

Ally Ewing makes late eagle, grabs solo lead at 2023 AIG Women’s Open

Ally Ewing has had a rollercoaster last few months on the LPGA.

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Ally Ewing has had a rollercoaster last few months on the LPGA.

In May, at the Bank of Hope Match Play, she finished 17th. Then she missed a cut at the Mizuho Americas.

A tie for eighth at the Meijer LPGA Classic was followed by a missed cut at the KPMG Women’s PGA.

A solo 11th at the U.S. Women’s Open was followed by a missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship.

She posted a T-9 a week ago in the Women’s Scottish Open but looks to be in good shape to buck the missed-cut-every-other-event trend this week at the AIG Women’s Open.

Ewing rebounded from back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14 with a birdie on 15 and an eagle on 16 at Walton Heath in Surrey, England.

“The ball was sitting down a bit,” she said after her drive on 16 ended up in the rough. “But I happened to see both my playing competitors hit shots and noticed how firm it was up in front of the green and so I was actually able to learn a little bit there. It was kind of a gouge-type shot and I just let it chase and it just so happened to chase to like five feet. It was one of those where you’re trying to give yourself an eagle chance and it just so happened to be a five-footer, so definitely happy to walk away with an eagle.”

Her 4-under 68 elevated her into the solo lead after one round of the final LPGA major of 2023.

There’s a logjam in second at 3 under between Jeongeun Lee6, Emily Kristine Pedersen, Perrine Delacour, Jaravee Boonchant and Amy Yang. They all shot 69s.

There’s even a bigger cluster at 2 under, with 12 golfers tied for seventh after shooting 70. That group includes Carlota Ciganda, who was disqualified from the last LPGA major, the Amundi Evian Championship, for signing an incorrect scorecard, an incident that arose out of a two-stroke penalty for slow play. Also at 2 under is U.S. Open champ, Allisen Corpuz.

As for the other 2023 LPGA major champs: KPMG Women’s PGA champ Yin Ruoning, even; Chevron Championship winner Lilia Vu, 1 over; Amundi winner Celine Boutier, 2 over.

Other notable scores: Danielle Kang (E), Stacy Lewis (E), Jin Young Ko (1 over), Nelly Korda (1 over), Lydia Ko (2 over), defending AIG champ Ashleigh Buhai (2 over), Brooke Henderson (3 over) and Lexi Thompson (4 over).

Thirty-three golfers broke par on the first day.

Emily Kristine Pedersen rebounds from disastrous closing 10 at year’s first major to co-lead LA Open

“I think you need a bit of confidence going into this course,” said Pedersen of historic Wilshire Country Club.

Emily Kristine Pedersen recorded a 10 on the closing par-5 18th to miss the cut at the Chevron Championship after a deflating 78. She was, understandably, down after that disaster.

But the European Solheim Cup player rebounded with a share of 18th last week at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii and now co-leads with Nasa Hataoka after an opening 4-under 67 at the DIO Implant LA Open. She’s thrilled to see her momentum so radically shift.

“I think you need a bit of confidence going into this course,” said Pedersen of historic Wilshire Country Club.

“There are a few tight drives … quirky shots into the greens where you really have to be on the right angle and just commit to the shots. So I think definitely having a bit of confidence helps going into this course.”

So Yeon Ryu simply wanted to get over her jet lag after coming to Los Angeles from South Korea this week. She was pleased to feel rested when she woke up on Thursday and opened with a 68. Ryu said she had little confidence about her swing after the Chevron.

“The biggest thing was I feel like I have zero idea about my golf swing,” said Ryu. “But I feel like now I understand a lot and then now I know where to go, and then right now I feel like I’m going to the right direction.”

Ryu said she and good friend Inbee Park enjoy the taste of home that playing in Los Angles brings.

“You know, I almost feel like all the restaurant in K-Town is like, if I have to be like honest about it,” said Ryu, “sometimes I feel like it’s better than Korea.”

High praise, indeed.

Five players are tied with Ryu at 3 under including Sei Young Kim, Jennifer Song, Janie Jackson, Haylee Harford and Dewi Weber.

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Major title lifts Anna Nordqvist into one of six automatic qualifying spots for Team Europe

After play concluded at the AIG Women’s British Open, the six automatic qualifiers for Team Europe were confirmed.

Anna Nordqvist’s victory at the AIG Women’s British Open vaulted her to No. 16 in the world and into one of six automatic qualifying spots for Team Europe. The 2021 Solheim Cup, staged Sept. 4-6 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, will be captained once again by Catriona Matthew.

On Sunday after play concluded at Carnoustie, the six automatic qualifiers for Team Europe were confirmed. Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen topped Europe’s points standings. She was one of Annika Sorenstam’s captain’s picks in 2017.

Georgia Hall moved into the second position on the points list with her share of second place at Carnoustie.

Sophia Popov, Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda join Nordqvist in earning their spots off the Rolex Rankings.

Matthew’s six captain’s picks will be announced at 3:30 a.m. ET Monday.

Here’s a closer look at the first six qualifiers on Team Europe.

Emily Kristine Pedersen wins LET’s Andalucia Open De Espana for third straight title

Emily Kristine Pedersen won her third consecutive event Sunday at the Ladies European Tour’s Andalucia Open De Espana.

It’s been a good November for Emily Kristine Pedersen.

Following rounds of 68-71-68, Denmark’s Pedersen shot a final-round 66 to win the Ladies European Tour’s Andalucia Open De Espana Sunday at 15 under — her third straight win.

Pedersen, 24, was coming off a pair of wins at The Saudi Ladies Team International at Royal Greens Golf & Country in Saudi Arabia. She also won the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open in August. Pedersen has five top 10s and an 11th place finish at the AIG Women’s British Open in August on her resume as the U.S. Women’s Open grows larger on the horizon.

The victory marked just the second time a player has won three straight events on the women’s tour, the feat was last accomplished by Marie-Laure de Lorenzi back in 1989.

Pedersen, who earned her fifth LET win Sunday at Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, led Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz by one shot entering the final round after closing her third round with an eagle on the 54th hole. Pedersen finished four shots ahead of Iturrioz at 11 under. Amateur Ana Pelaez of Spain finished third at 7 under.

Sanna Nuutinen and Maha Haddioui finished T-4 at 6 under while Cloe Frankish, Azahara Munoz and Manon Gidali are T-6 at 5 under. Maiken Bing Paulsen and Luna Sobron Galmes round out the top 10, finishing T-9 at 4 under.

Hoping to continue this recent roll, Pedersen now turns her sights on the U.S. Women’s Open, starting at Champions Golf Club in Houston on Dec. 10. Despite her success on the European Tour, Pedersen has struggled in major events in the United States, her highest finish a T-36 in the 2017 Women’s PGA Championship.

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