First of all, sorry for posting this so late, but there’s no breaking news or anything, so I think we will all survive (at least I hope!). Secondly, I apologize for the crappy connection on my end. Not sure why it was so bad since I’ve done several Hangouts in my apartment and there’s never been an issue.

Good news is Renee Skidmore — who plays on the Symetra Tour — looks lovely, so it’s worth tuning in to watch her and learn about chasing her dream to play on the LPGA. Bonus: She likes to dance (you may remember her from our amusing attempt at the Harlem Shake), and was kind enough to put on a show for everyone. Enjoy!

Can Ko go low on Sunday?

Fresh off her victory at last week’s Ladies’ European Tour event in New Zealand, 15-year-old amateur Lydia Ko is gunning for back-to-back wins on the pro circuit. Ko, who captured the LPGA’s Canadian Women’s Open in 2012, and Jiyai Shin share the third-round lead, six shots clear of the rest of the field.

And we will actually get to watch. Get this: Golf Channel adjusted its programming schedule to air the final round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open LIVE tonight beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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Shin back on top

During a week filled with miserable — and almost comical — weather and poor management decisions, Jiyai Shin shined on her way to a record nine-shot win at Royal Liverpool Club in Hoylake, England, to capture her second Women’s British Open title. I’m not sure what’s most mind-blowing and inspiring — the margin of victory; winning the LPGA tourney in a nine-hole playoff against Paula Creamer on the other side of the Atlantic less than a week before; missing two months this summer after enduring hand surgery.

Um, all of the above? (continue reading…)

Not the photo you're looking for.

The photo, from ESPN The Magazine’s forthcoming Body Issue, is posted below. I can’t be certain, but it might qualify as NSFW.

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Thompson

Lexi Thompson, 16, will be allowed to compete at LPGA Q-school and become a member if she earns her card, according to Sean Martin’s report in Golfweek: (continue reading…)

Marino reacts to missing eagle putt, while Wilson and Kuchar watch the ball

Another Sunday, another PGA Tour Confidential. We even had a cameo last night from Brad Faxon — basically, because he disagreed with something I said.

In this week’s edition, the SI Golf Group discusses Mark Wilson’s win at Waialae (is it refreshing to see shorter tracks like Waialae and contenders who actually hit fairways?), leaderboard watching, the best in the world competing at Abu Dhabi this week (and overshadowing the Bob Hope Classic), golf’s lack of an off-season and the LPGA denying Alexis Thompson’s petition.

Guess what? We didn’t bring up Tiger’s name once the entire night! /high-five! Here’s an excerpt from last night’s banter:

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If you weren’t a “female at birth” yet wanted to join the LPGA, you may soon have the opportunity.

Last month Lana Lawless, a 57-year-old trans-woman who had gender reassignment surgery in 2005, filed a lawsuit against the LPGA, claiming its constitutional bylaw that states all competitors must be “female at birth” violates California civil rights law. The LPGA is now preparing a vote to overturn that requirement in a player meeting at the LPGA Tour Championship on November 30, according to the Golf Channel’s Randall Mell:

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Here now, a photo from LPGA tour golfer Paula Creamer’s new calendar. If you’re the kind of person that still buys calendars, we really can’t recommend it enough.

Want more? Well then, it’s your lucky day!

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Brittany Lincicome: blazed her way to a 61 on Thursday

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Brittany Lincicome is pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Though it was Katherine Hull who left last week’s Navistar Classic with a winner’s cheque and trophy, it was Lincicome who finished the tournament in the most style, her final-round 65 leaving her one shot shy of a play-off with the Australian. Emboldened by that near miss, she’s burst out of the blocks at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge, shooting a spectacular opening 61 and leaping to a commanding four-shot lead in the process. (continue reading…)

Lana Lawless in action at the 2008 Re/Max World Championship

The LPGA is being sued in a California court this week by former Re/Max Women’s World Long-Drive Champion, Lana Lawless. The 57-year-old bartender and former SWAT team member, who underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2005, is suing on the grounds that the organisation’s ‘female at birth’ clause is discriminatory and, as such, a violation of California civil rights law.

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