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…)

Tseng-sational!

As Yani Tseng walked to 18, she recalled one of the most famous moments at Carnoustie — Jean Van de Velde, holding a three-shot lead, standing in the Barry Burn at the ’99 Open Championship, where he posted a triple-bogey to ultimately lose in a playoff. Tseng, who also had a three-stroke advantage, played the hole perfectly to cruise to a four-shot victory in defense of her Women’s British Open title. (continue reading…)

Excuse me while I roll my eyes as I write this, but I’m not really clear why Alexis “Lexi” Thompson being denied a special exemption to play in Monday’s final qualifier for the Women’s Open has become such a hot topic. In fact, I largely ignored it until I got so bombarded with headlines and little tidbits via my Twitter feed that I finally decided to look into what the fuss was about. Then it got me a tad riled up because my initial instinct had been correct. So, why are Lexi’s handlers making such a big deal out of it?

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