Tag: Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio

D’Angelo: Lydia Ko knows what it’s like to be on top of the world and she’s headed back there

“When you keep knocking on the door, you feel like at one point it’s going to open,” said Ko.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Lydia Ko looked down at her ball, honed in on the pin, and repeated the process two more times. She then stepped back, lifted the face of her club and pulled out a tee to clean the grooves.

The biggest shot of the Gainbridge LPGA was coming and she was standing in a greenside bunker on the 18th hole at Boca Rio. But having successfully gotten up and down twice before from a bunker, she was confident with what was coming.

“Because of that, I think that made that shot a lot easier,” Ko said.

The ball landed softly on the green and rolled to within about two feet of the cup. After Danielle Kang’s long putt rolled just left of the cup, the outcome was inevitable. Ko made her tap-in for a final-round 69 which put her at 14-under 274 for the tournament, one shot better than Kang, who shot 68 Sunday.

Ko’s resume includes 17 LPGA titles, including two majors, and two Olympic medals, a silver in 2016 and bronze last summer in Tokyo. Not bad for someone who is three months shy of her 25th birthday.

Gainbridge LPGA
Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang hug on the 18th green after Ko defeated Kang by one stroke to win the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club on January 30, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

But her story is one of a child prodigy whose rise was meteoric, fall was almost as fast and now is using all of those experiences to regain that lofty status.

Ko won her first LPGA event as an amateur at 15 years and four months, surpassing the record set by Lexi Thompson, who was the previous youngest champion after winning at 16 years and seven months. The winner’s share of $300,000 was rewarded to the runner-up who was three strokes back.

Then, she did it again the next year, defending her title once again as an amateur. This time the winning share of $300,000 went to the runner-up who was five shots back.

Finally, later that year, she turned pro and started having those winnings’ checks made out in her name. Checks that now have surpassed $12.6 million.

Then came the rise to No. 1 in the world rankings, which she attained at 17 years and nine months, the youngest professional golfer – woman or man – to be ranked No. 1.

“I heard people say, ‘you make it look easy,’ ” Ko said. “I’m like, ‘trust me it’s not easy.’

“I think when someone is playing so well … they make it look very easy. You know what? They’re putting their 100% energy and still playing amazing golf. I think it almost doesn’t get as much credit as it should.”

The dip came quick. After being No. 1 for 158 weeks, including the third longest consecutive streak of 85 weeks, she started a descent that saw her fall to No. 55 after the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship. She said she struggled with trying to be who she once was, instead of finding out what worked for her at that time.

“I feel very fortunate about the things that happened earlier in my career,” Ko said. “When I wasn’t playing as well I think I wanted to be the person that I was and … put myself back to when I was No. 1.”

Then came advice from someone who walked her shoes. Stacy Lewis, one of three American golfers who reached No. 1 in world, told Ko she could not retrace those steps.

“Try to be the best player, best person you can be now,” Lewis told her.

“I think hearing that advice from somebody like her, that really helped me to have the confidence and to just believe in the process of sometimes you’re going to take two steps back, but you just keep working and working at just trying to be the best,” Ko said. “I’m just trying to be the best version I can be today.”

The return to the top is a work on progress. Ko reached No. 3 in the world after a top 10 finish last weekend at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando and will remain there when the rankings come out Monday.

“When you keep knocking on the door, you feel like at one point it’s going to open,” she said.

On this day, that door opened with a clutch putt of about 20 feet that she started a couple of feet to the right and curled into the hole for a birdie. That allowed Ko to regain the lead after relinquishing a two-shot advantage entering Sunday on the first three holes.

“That putt on 15 was kind of the momentum shifter,” Ko said.

And shifting momentum is something she knows all about in a career that, at her age, is just getting started for some.

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Lydia Ko holds off Danielle Kang for one-shot win at Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio

Ko shot a final-round 69 to earn her 17th career win and a $300,000 payday.

BOCA RATON — Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang had gone head to head for two days and 35 holes over the Boca Rio Golf Club course, so standing on the 18th tee Sunday afternoon with a one-shot lead, Ko had one thought in mind:

“Please, I don’t want to play this hole again.”

Despite hitting her drive on the 415-yard par-4 finishing hole into a fairway bunker and her 5-iron approach into a greenside bunker, Ko avoided a sudden-death playoff with her good friend, getting up and down for par and a victory in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

Ko, 24, shot rounds of 63-70-72-69 for a 14-under-par 274 to earn her 17th career triumph and $300,000 on a day that was forecast to be frigid by South Florida standards, but turned out to be gorgeous with cloudless blue skies, light winds and temperatures in the upper 50s.

For Kang, whose runner-up finish followed her victory in the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, her 4-under 68, like too many of her putts Sunday, came up just short.

“I played some really good golf out there. I hit some quality shots, today and yesterday,” said Kang, who was tied with Ko at 11 under after two rounds and was paired with her Saturday.

Ko shot even par that day and Kang, who opened with rounds of 65-68, shot 74 to begin the final day two shots behind.

Lydia Ko kisses the trophy after winning the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio Golf Club on January 30, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Both players birdied the par-5 first hole, but Ko bogeyed the second and Kang birdied the third to pull into a tie at 11 under. Both birdied the 11th, then Kang birdied the 12th to take the lead at 13 under.

Kang, 29, a California native who lives in Las Vegas, bogeyed the par-3 13th when she missed the green to the left, pitched on but failed to convert the 5-foot par putt. Ko regained the lead at 13 under with a birdie at the 15th. At the par-5 16th, Ko rolled in her uphill birdie attempt, but Kang made a shorter, more breaking birdie putt on top of it to remain close.

At the par-3 17th, Kang’s birdie putt stopped inches short of the hole and Ko two-putted for par. At the 18th, Kang had about a 20-footer to tie, but it slid just past the hole.

“I felt like she was going to hole it. She putted so good today,” Ko said. “I feel like even the ones that didn’t go in had a high chance of her making.”

“The last hole, that was a really great shot into that pin,” said Kang. “I hit a great putt, but it didn’t break. The greens are really tough to read out here.

“The three-footers were really hard for me because the ball kept sitting in a hole. I hit two putts that were in a hole and they bounced out and didn’t even hit the cup.”

Yuka Saso of Japan shot a 5-under 67, highlighted by birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, to finish third at 12-under 276. Charley Hull of England shot 68 to end up tied for fourth at 11-under with Celine Boutier of France, who shot 69 playing with Ko and Kang.

“I played really well today,” said Hull, who had three birdies on her front nine and two birdies and a bogey on the back. “I started off pretty good and hit it close on the back nine on pretty much most holes. I just couldn’t get the putts going in. I was making good strokes, but just misreading them a little bit.”

Canadian Brooke Henderson, who was 6-under through her first 10 holes with four birdies and an eagle, shot 68 to tie for sixth with Lexi Thompson of Delray Beach at 7 under.

“The front nine was a lot of fun,” Henderson said. “We were making some birdies and I was really running and trying to chase down that lead as best I could. Making the turn, it looked like if I could have a solid back nine I could post a low score in the clubhouse. Unfortunately I didn’t finish off the way I wanted to, but I definitely started the way I wanted to.”

Jessica Korda of Jupiter shot 71 to finish in a seven-way tie for 20th at 2 under that included her sister, Nelly, who will fall to No. 2 in the world rankings behind Jin Young Ko.

World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb of Boynton Beach shot 74 to finish at 4 over, and Jaye Marie Green of Jupiter also shot 74 to finish at 9 over.

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With Nelly Korda leading the way, more Americans doing well on LPGA

The American women are in as strong position as they have been in years.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — When Nelly Korda ascended to No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings in June, she became the third American to occupy the spot since the rankings were introduced in 2006.

Some would say, “just” the third American. Others, like one of those who knows what it is like to hold the title as the best female golfer in the world, believe it’s a number that should be celebrated.

“It’s tough to get to No. 1,” said Cristie Kerr, who shot a 2-over 74 in Thursday’s opening round of the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio. “It’s a very international tour so it’s pretty good we’ve had a couple of Americans get to No. 1 in the world.”

Kerr, 44, held the top spot for five weeks in 2010. Stacy Lewis topped the rankings for 25 weeks, most recently in 2014. Korda, who is from Bradenton, has been sitting atop the rankings for 29 weeks.

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Nelly, 23, is joined by older sister Jessica in the rankings. Nelly has repeated several times that being No. 1 is “temporary” and said Wednesday it’s not something she dwells on.

“I try not to focus on being the No. 1 player in the world,” said Nelly, who shot a 68 Thursday.

Jessica, who shot an even-par 72 Thursday, said when Nelly became the first American to finished the season at No. 1, “we were just like, ‘woo-hoo.’

“It’s something you are definitely going to look back on in your career, not necessarily in the moment,” added Jessica.

South Korean golfers have ruled

Nelly Korda supplanted South Korean Jin Young Ko, who held the top spot for 100 weeks. South Koreans have been atop the rankings more than golfers from any other country, with five totaling 276 weeks.

Next are golfers from Mexico, Taiwan, New Zealand and Sweden. Those countries, though, are represented by one golfer each, Lorena Ochoa (158 weeks), Yani Tseng (109), Lydia Ko (104) and Annika Sorenstam (60).

The American triumvirate is next.

The American women are in as strong position as they have been in years. Nelly followed up her rise to the top by winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. Americans hold six of the top 22 spots in the rankings and 12 of the top 50. South Korea leads with 13 of the top 50. Japan has seven. In the summer of 2019, six of the top 11 were from South Korea.

“We should definitely be celebrating that we’ve got a very strong young American contingent,” said Laura Davies, a native of England who has been on the LPGA for more than 30 years. “That’s paramount for the LPGA Tour because it is home base. I think it makes the tour strong when the top Americans are at the top of the tree.”

Nelly is followed by Danielle Kang (No. 8), Lexi Thompson (12), Lizette Salas (19), Jessica Korda (21) and Ally Ewing (22) as the top-ranked Americans. Salas is the only American in the top 50 not in the field at Gainbridge.

Of the 29 events in the LPGA 2021 schedule, eight were won by Americans, seven by South Koreans. Nelly Korda won four of those.

U.S. women golfers on the rise

“I think the state of women’s golf in the U.S. is really good,” said Ewing, who shot a 68 Thursday. “You’ve seen a lot of players rise. It’s great to see a lot of American players playing well.”

Ewing has been on the tour six years. She gained status after graduating from Mississippi State but opted to play one year on the Symetra Tour. She credits coaching as a major reason more younger players are ready for the tour, whether they are coming right out of college or even those who skipped college.

Kang won the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando last Sunday. She continued her shot-making with a 65 Thursday, putting her second, two shots behind Ko, a South Korean-born New Zealand golfer. Ko was the bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics.

“People need to celebrate how good the Americans have done for the past 10 years,” Kerr said. “It was a lot of talk we weren’t doing very well enough, and we have been. So, I think people need to talk about that more.”

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Gainbridge LPGA will return to Boca Rio in South Florida in 2022

The 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio will feature a field of 120 players competing for a $2 million purse.

As the 2021 LPGA season winds down, next year’s schedule is becoming a little clearer. The tour will make an early stop in South Florida in January, returning to Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Florida, for the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

The tournament is in its third year on the LPGA schedule, and after debuting at Boca Rio in 2020, moved to Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida, in 2021 for the second playing. LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam competed that week – Lake Nona is her home golf course – and remarkably made the cut in her first official start since retiring from the LPGA in 2008. Nelly Korda won the event.

The 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio will feature a field of 120 players competing for a $2 million purse and will be played Jan. 27-30.

“We are thrilled to continue our work with the LPGA Tour and return to Boca Rio Golf Club for the 2022 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio,” said Dan Towriss, President and CEO of Group 1001, the parent organization of Gainbridge. “In the tournament’s first two years, we have established the Gainbridge LPGA as a world-class championship. It is an honor for us to support women’s golf and provide a platform for the game’s best players to showcase their talents to fans all over the world.”

Boca Rio is a member-owned golf club built in 1967. It is located four miles from the Atlantic Ocean on 200 acres of native Florida wilderness.

This season, the Gainbridge LPGA was one of five stops in Florida, where several LPGA players call home.

“I love an event where you can stay at home. It makes the week a little easier,” Palm Beach Gardens resident Austin Ernst, a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup team who is 24th on this year’s money list, told the Palm Beach Post.

“Boca Rio is a great course. It’s a good test. There’s a good mix of holes. The course played long last year because of the rain, but I think it’s a great venue.”

With eight events still to go on the LPGA in 2021 – including six domestic events – the full picture of the 2022 LPGA schedule is still unknown.

Craig Dolch contributed reporting.

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Madelene Sagstrom snags first LPGA title in dramatic fashion with boyfriend’s dad on the bag

Madelene Sagstrom won her first LPGA title Sunday at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio by one shot.

BOCA RATON, Fla. –  Last week Madelene Sagstrom was out spectating at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at her home course. She fielded more than a few questions from members who wanted to know why she wasn’t in the field. The answer, of course, was frustratingly obvious: She hadn’t won yet.

One week later, Sagstrom is an early favorite for next year’s TOC.

“I’m still mind blown,” she said, moments after stepping onto the dais at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

GAINBRIDGE LPGA: Scores | Photos

Sagstrom, 27, drained an 8-foot putt for par on the 72nd hole and avoided a playoff when Nasa Hataoka three-putted for bogey to finish second for a second consecutive week.

The statuesque Swede earned $300,000 for her victory and crossed the $1 million mark in official career earnings with $1,132,568. The Gainbridge marked her 69th start on the LPGA. A three-time winner on the Symetra Tour in 2016, she holds the developmental tour’s record for single-season earnings.

Madelene Sagstrom after winning the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Boca Raton, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Sagstrom began the week with a career-low 62 and entered the final round with a two-stroke lead over Hataoka, who is ranked fifth in the world. The 2017 Solheim Cup player said she was physically shaky from the start but proved her mettle time and again with clutch shots.

“I had already won in my head today,” she said. “I had beaten my own demons.”

She got help from an unlikely source, too.

A couple of weeks ago, Sagstrom called her boyfriend’s father and asked if he could fill in as her caddie while he was visiting on vacation in Florida. Sagstrom’s regular caddie, David Buhai, husband of LPGA player Ashleigh Buhai, was unavailable for the week.

“He’s like, sure. Maybe,” said Sagstrom. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Alan Clarke, who retired from a career in data communications, certainly rose to the occasion. Sagstrom said she was proud of him for fighting through the fatigue the first couple of days. The near 68-year-old looked like he was still in shock when it was over. His son, Jack, was in tears.

“Who could imagine this?” asked Alan.

Madelene first met Jack Clarke at the UL International Crown two years ago and the pair have been dating for 18 months. Jack’s boss, Caroline Hedwall, missed the cut this week so he’s been agonizing outside the ropes for the past two days.

Alan’s main job for the week was to double-check Madelene’s math. Otherwise, she was on her own.

“He’s making her laugh,” said Jack of his father’s biggest assist, “keeping her free and easy.”

Madelene Sagstrom after winning the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Boca Raton, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

After making the turn in 1 over, Sagstrom holed a bunker shot on the 10th hole and then followed it with birdie on the 11th. She was knotted with Hataoka at 16 under until the Japanese star birdied the par-5 16th to take a one-shot lead.

How did Sagstrom respond? She stuffed an 8-iron on the par-3 17th to 3 feet. It wasn’t exactly where she was aimed, but turned out to be the perfect miss. Sagstrom drained the putt to square with Hataoka once more as they headed up the final hole.

With Hataoka on the green in regulation and Sagstrom left in the rough, the events that followed came as a surprise to everyone. After Hataoka missed her par putt, Sagstrom turned around and looked at the leaderboard, unsure of what that meant.

She had yet to realize that Danielle Kang finished two shots back in solo third. When it finally sank in, the tears flowed as much as the champagne.

“This is what we all dream about,” said Sagstrom. “This is what I have dreamed about my entire career, since I started playing golf. So it really hit me hard.”

When it was over, Alan abruptly retired from caddying. He’d reached the pinnacle.

“You couldn’t write it,” said Jack, smiling.

A working vacation they’ll never forget.

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Madelene Sagstrom’s career week continues at Gainbridge LPGA with boyfriend’s dad on the bag

Madelene Sagstrom, a former LSU standout, followed a career-best 62 with 67 on Saturday to extend her lead to two over Japan’s Nasa Hataoka.

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – Last weekend, Jack Clarke taught his father how to properly rake a bunker. Alan Clarke maintains that he gave his son, a former pro, that same lesson many years ago back home in Essex, England, but the roles reversed this week as Alan filled in as caddie for Jack’s girlfriend at the new Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

Ranking a bunker at a tour event is precise work. So far, the retired Alan Clarke seems to be excelling at all angles of the job as his boss, Madelene Sagstrom, holds a two-stroke lead heading into the final round.

“He’s there to keep me happy,” said a smiling Sagstrom.

Truthfully, Alan’s just trying to keep up. Though he and Jack have had several successful runs in big events back home in England. It’s clear they’re all having a grand time in Boca.

Gainbridge LPGA: Leaderboard | Photos

Jack and Madelene first met two years ago at the UL International Crown, where he was caddying for a different player on the Swedish team, Anna Nordqvist. Because Jack’s current boss, Caroline Hedwall, missed the cut at Boca Rio, Jack was outside the ropes on Saturday watching the action. That’s actually the toughest place to be, he said.

Zero control.

Sagstrom, a former LSU standout, followed up a career-best 62 with a 67 on Saturday to extend her lead to two over Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, who lost in a seven-hole playoff on Monday to Gaby Lopez at the season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. Sagstrom sits at 15 under after three rounds.

“You could shoot 5 over, you could shoot 5 under,” said Sagstrom of following up a career day. “It’s golf, you never know. I didn’t really want to mess it up.”

It’s been a week of firsts for Sagstrom, who has never held the lead going into Sunday at an LPGA event. The 2017 Solheim Cup player won three times on the Symetra Tour in 2016 and set a single-season earnings record of $167,064. Sunday’s winner in Boca Rio will take home $300,000.

“I didn’t play perfect yesterday, but I still shot 62,” said Sagstrom, whose best finish on the LPGA came last year at the Pure Silk Championship when she tied for second. “I didn’t play perfect today and still shot 67. It’s not about being perfect. It’s having a lot of acceptance and doing the best I can.”

Danielle Kang and Sei Young Kim sit three strokes back in a share of third. Kim, winner of the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship last November, took off time during the offseason to buy dinner for everyone she knows. After all, she took home the largest paycheck in women’s golf history that week in Naples, Florida – $1.5 million.

Both Kim and Kang like the fact that they can attack the hole locations in these soft conditions.

Kang, a two-time winner on the LPGA last season who is currently No. 4 in the world, said she’s having to read the putts at Boca Rio from every angle to account for the grain. Because of that, she’s not relying on her caddie as much to help on the greens.

“These Bermuda greens definitely pick up pace throughout the day, the windier it gets,” said Kang. “I really like the way they set up the golf course. It’s kind of unique. It’s really long, yet sometimes it plays short. You just got to take the opportunities.”

Jaye Marie Green was born and raised in Boca Raton and now lives in nearby Jupiter. She’s had plenty of support in the gallery and gave them all a thrill when she hit her 48-degree wedge from 103 yards to within an inch.

“I go, ‘How does this not go in the hole?’” asked Green, who has yet to make an ace on tour.

Green heads into Sunday eight shots back at 7 under. She’ll be one group ahead of another local favorite, Lexi Thompson, who’s at 6 under.

Morgan Pressel grew up 15 minutes from Boca Rio and has been a member of the club for years. She’s at even par for the tournament. The Kathryn Krickstein Pressel Mammovan, named after Pressel’s late mother, who died of breast cancer, is parked near the 17th tee. Pressel’s annual fundraiser has raised $9.5 million over the past 13 years toward the fight against breast cancer.

“We’re big on early detection and that’s why the Mammovan’s so important to us,” said Pressel earlier in the week. “It’s kind of a billboard that says ‘Get your mammogram’ …”

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Carlota Ciganda surging at Gainbridge LPGA with new caddie by her side

An extended break and a new caddie looks like a solid combination so far for Carlota Ciganda, one shot off the lead the Gainbridge LPGA.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – When Carlota Ciganda went home to Spain for the offseason, she left her clubs back in Arizona. It’s the first time the 29-year-old has traveled so light, but the extended break left her feeling refreshed coming into her first tournament of the season.

Ciganda carded a second-round 66 to get to 9-under 135 and trail leader Madelene Sagstrom by one stroke at the new Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

“I didn’t think I was going to be ready for this tournament,” said Ciganda, “but sometimes when you don’t have many expectations, you play your best.”

Ciganda, a two-time winner on the LPGA, said she kept in shape over the holidays by playing paddle tennis. She picked up her clubs again two weeks ago.

Her 2019 season included eight top-10 finishes and a $1 million bonus for winning the first Aon Risk Reward Challenge. She finished 15th on the money list with $998,654.

“I think when you are near the top so many times you get tired mentally,” she said. “I just needed that rest to feel fresh again.”

Gainbridge LPGA: Leaderboard | Photos

The 2020 season already looks different for Ciganda in that she has a new face on the bag in Jonny Scott, a veteran caddie who recently worked for Lydia Ko. Ciganda spent four years with Terry McNamara, Annika Sorenstam’s longtime caddie. Ciganda enjoyed her best years on tour with McNamara by her side.

“It’s been obviously really, really tough because I love Terry and we’ve been playing great together,” she said. “I don’t know how to explain it, just something that I felt. It was tough to say that to someone that you love, someone that it so close to you.”

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Madelene Sagstrom’s 62 vaults her to the top at Gainbridge LPGA

Through two rounds, Madelene Sagstrom holds a one-shot lead at the Gainbridge LPGA.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Madelene Sagstrom was in the “flow” on Friday at Boca Rio Golf Club, where soggy, calm conditions opened the door to attack.

Sagstrom shot 29 on the front nine and was 10 under through 16 holes when the weight on her putter fell off. The Swede called over a rules official to make sure everything was fine but arrived on the penultimate hole a bit out of sorts.

“I came up on 17 I was like OK, wrong club,” said Sagstrom. “What’s going on now? Uh, uh, just kind of half-thinned it on the greens. I got a little rattled about it, but I figured it out eventually.”

After tough lip-out for bogey on the par-3 17th, Sagstrom got it back on the final hole with her 11th birdie of the day. The 10-under 62 shattered Sagstrom’s previous low by four strokes and gave her the clubhouse lead at 10-under 134 at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

Nasa Hataoka, who lost in a seven-hole playoff to Gaby Lopez at least week’s season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, sits in second at 8 under along with Jennifer Song. Both carded 64s.

Jaye Marie Green grew up down the road in Boca Raton and is staying at her parents’ house this week. A bogy-free 66 moved her up the leaderboard and into a tie for eighth. Like Sagstrom, Green is looking for her first LPGA title.

“I hit the ball the exact same way today,” said Green, “I just made putts today, putts went in. Yesterday I was having trouble reading the greens, but today I just kind of pictured it well.”

Familiar faces and home-cooked meals make it a comfortable week for Green, who bought a home in nearby Jupiter. Some of her friends in the gallery go back to the beginning.

“I mean, we go back from diapers out here,” said Green. “The course I grew up with is two miles down the street. And a lot of members from that club have helped me along the way, and they’re out here. It’s unbelievable. I really want to get myself close, in a position to make it more fun for them. And I know whether I close or not, they’re going to love me. And I am glad to be in this position.”

Sagstrom, an LSU grad, was mentored by Robert Karlsson as a young pro. She drew inspiration from Karlsson’s strong performance in Dubai this morning, where he trails Eddie Pepperell by one stroke.

A three-time winner on the Symetra Tour, Sagstrom represented Europe in the 2017 Solheim Cup but didn’t make the team in 2019.

“I think a Solheim Cup can either make you or break you kind of deal,” said Sagstrom. “For me, it was both. I was really proud and honored to be there, but I was hoping for more from myself.”

She’s motivated to get back there.

While her regular caddie is back in South Africa helping family move, Sagstrom enlisted the help of her boyfriend’s father, Alan Clarke, for the week. Clarke’s son, Jack, caddies for Caroline Hedwall. Sagstrom read all her own putts but used Alan’s help with math.

“They’re here on vacation,” said Sagstrom of the Clarkes, “so I thought, I’m going to make him really tired.”

Actually, she’s feeding off of Alan’s enjoyment inside the ropes. It doesn’t get much better than 62.

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Rookies rule in soggy first round at Gainbridge LPGA

The rookies have arrived on the LPGA, and they’re not scared. At least they don’t play like it anyway.

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – The rookies have arrived on the LPGA, and they’re not scared. At least they don’t play like it anyway.

At Day 1 of the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, a pair of rookies hold the clubhouse lead. Play was suspended at 4:50 p.m. ET due to heavy rain. Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and Japan’s Yui Kawamoto both carded 4-under 68s in their rookie debuts. Georgia grad Jillian Hollis added a 70.

Sei Young Kim, who has 10 LPGA titles to her credit, also carded a 68. Jessica Korda is 5 under on the day and was on her last hole, No. 9, when play stopped.

Tavatanakit, 20, dominated the Symetra Tour after turning pro following the spring season at UCLA. She also carded an 11-under 61 last summer at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, where she tied for 15th. Her winning on the LPGA is a matter of when, not if. The three-month break actually proved kind of stressful for Tavatanakit, who filled up her time reading mental books.

Gainbridge LPGA: Leaderboard | Photos

“Like everyone takes it pretty seriously out here,” she said. “I was kind of intimidated by the idea of the LPGA tour and just being out here, kind of scares me. It’s a big thing. This is my job, and like I have to do this for a living and what if I don’t like it? It’s just a lot of doubts and thoughts in my head. After I just kind of cut that out and focused on what I have to do, and it’s been working pretty well.”

Kawamoto briefly went to the same high school as Nasa Hataoka back home in Japan. Both are 21 years old. Kawamoto tied for ninth at LPGA Q-Series to earn her card and has been as high as No. 50 in the Rolex Rankings. She has two career JLPGA titles and recorded 10 additional top 10s last season.
“I have huge respect for (Nasa) and very happy to be able to compete with her,” said Kawamoto through an interpreter, “but I feel like I still have a gap between her.”

Kawamoto’s first name means “tie” in Japan, and she’s been wearing ribbons in her hair since middle school. The combination helped land her a sponsor, Kosé, for her hair ribbon. Kosé is a beauty product brand in Japan.

The 2020 Olympics in Japan is the ultimate goal for Kawamoto. She’s currently No. 60 in the world. The top 15 players automatically qualify, with a maximum of four players from one country. Hataoka, No. 5, leads the way for Japan. Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open champion, ranks 11th.

“Obviously that’s a big goal for me,” said Kawamoto, “but it’s going to be a very tough competition.”

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Two minutes with Morgan Pressel

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols got two minutes with LPGA player Morgan Pressel. Pressel answered questions about the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio and how she will be able to play with her sister Madison Pressel.

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols got two minutes with LPGA player Morgan Pressel. Pressel answered questions about the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio and how she will be able to play with her sister Madison Pressel.