Mastercard Classic [of course there are spoilers!]

[ClairefromClare]

Here's a link to the final field:

http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?mid=1&pid=18698http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?mid=1&pid=18698

Most of the usual suspects. Morgan Pressel's not listed? What's with that?

Maria Jose Uribe will be playing. And no television coverage? Rats, rats, rats.

 

[Harry Longshanks]

I haven't found any online coverage either Claire.

 

[ClairefromClare]

I haven't found any online coverage either Claire.

But I'm counting on you for pictures of skorts!

 

[worst_shot_ever]

not to mention little black dresses! Yay!

 

[ClairefromClare]

not to mention little black dresses! Yay!

But this is Mexico, WSE--they'll all have serapes wrapped around those dresses.

 

[Ricearoni]

Thanks for starting this thread Claire. This event is a bit unusual in that the course is longer than most that are played (6800ft.), plus there are so many and such severe elevation changes that players and caddies will ride. I've got a few favorites in the field. No Morgan, no Webbie, no Angela, but lots of other top players who are gunning for the win, I'm sure.

 

[soxngolf]

Quick Summary of who is there, if only we could see it!

The field at the 2009 MasterCard Classic includes eight of the top-10 players in the world, and 13 of the top 20. Joining defending champion Friberg is Rolex Rankings top-ranked player Lorena Ochoa, number two Yani Tseng, third-ranked Paula Creamer, number four Jiyai Shin, fifth-ranked Suzann Pettersen, number seven Helen Alfredsson, eighth-ranked Cristie Kerr and Seon Hwa Lee, 10th in the world, rounds out the top-10.

Along with the veterans in the field this week, nine talented rookies will be in action as well. Chella Choi, M.J. Hur, Vicky Hurst, Mindy Kim, Jeehae Lee, Stacy Lewis, Mika Miyazato and Shiho Oyama will be looking to record their first LPGA victory. In addition to last year's champion, Friberg, 2007 winner Meaghan Francella will have her eyes set on her second LPGA career victory as well.

 

[Smallville]

But I'm counting on you for pictures of skorts!

So am I!

 

[ClairefromClare]

Here's the official leader board. http://www.lpgascoring.com/leaderboard.html

Julie--Beth Bader's in the field. I think I walked with her a couple of years ago at Sybase.

 

[ClairefromClare]

Kim Hall's leading at -4. Lorena's one shot back. Both after eight holes.

 

[GolferGal]

I really hate that the LPGA events aren't televised, it really frustrates me.

 

[ClairefromClare]

I really hate that the LPGA events aren't televised, it really frustrates me.

And how--Lorena was -3 after eight holes. After nine, she's -5. And we don't get to see it!

 

[Ricearoni]

Wow - Lorena finishes round 1 at -7. Is that any good? What a thrill for the fans! I'm going to scour our Spanish language stations tonight for highlights. Ha - one night we saw the Rolex commercial in Spanish.
Looks like Suzann's game is coming around - she's at -2.

Please, anyone post a link if you find online coverage.

 

[Harry Longshanks]

 

[ClairefromClare]

That's our girl! Thanks, Harry. (Note she doesn't play with an engagement ring on.)

Is Mika Miyazato Ai's little sister? Or is that a common name? I have no clue.

 

[Harry Longshanks]

Is Mika Miyazato Ai's little sister? Or is that a common name? I have no clue.

No relation.

 

[ClairefromClare]

No relation.

Like the Rankins.

 

[Harry Longshanks]

Like the Rankins.

Correct.

 

[Ricearoni]

Great pics Harry. Thanks.

 

[Harry Longshanks]

H.J. Choi

Paula Creamer

Paula Creamer

Brittany Lang

Teresa Lu

Kristy McPherson

Louis Friberg

Lorena

Hee Wan Han

Louise Friberg

 

[ClairefromClare]

Great photos, Harry! (Where do you find them--don't want to muscle in on your game, but you shoudn't have to do all the heavy lifting.)

Boo Girl is upset because Paula Creamer isn't wearing pink.

 

[Harry Longshanks]

Stacy Lewis

M.J. Hur

Cristie Kerr

Louise Friberg

Brittany Lang

Jane Park

Vicky Hurst

 

[Callaway Girl]

Great pics!

 

[Harry Longshanks]

Lorena did not have a good day. At one point she was +3 when the field was all scoring below par. She got back to +1 for the day, but dropped out of the lead.

Pat Hurst is T3 at -6 along with Lorena.

Natalie Gulbis, who was in contention after the first round, fell apart shooting a +6 for the day. Paula Creamer is also well back after two over par days.

Suzann Pettersen is loitering near the top at T7 and 3 shots back of co-leaders Na Yeon Choi and Yani Tseng.

I'm going to start putting the photos in spoiler tags in an attempt to speed up page loading.

Photos:

Spoiler

Lorena Ochoa

Suzann Pettersen

Johanna Head-Mundy

Lorena Ochoa

Suzann Pettersen

Brittany Lang

Lorena Ochoa

Lorena Ochoa

Pat Hurst

Seon Hwa Lee

Yani Tseng

Grace Park

Natalie Gulbis

Brittany Lang

Vicky Hurst

 

[ClairefromClare]

Thanks for the photos, Harry! Lorena's always had an interesting putting grip--you can see it well in there.

Last year, I carried the leaderboard for the threesome of Yani Tseng, N.Y. Choi, and Christina Kim at the Sybase. It was early enough in the season that no one had really heard much about the first two, and they totally knocked my socks off.