The June 8 issue of Golf World includes an article headlined "A Major Question Mark," which positions the LPGA Championship as a microcosm of the issues facing the tour. The LPGA now owns this event, which should be a good thing; yet, 2009 is the final year of McDonald's sponsorship, no new sponsor has been found, and the tournament is so far without a course for 2010.
But this year, 2009, the LPGA Championship shapes up as a wide-open major. Nobody is dominating the tour this year. Lorena Ochoa has two wins, but despite that it has seemed like a quiet year from Ochoa so far.
Cristie Kerr leads the money list but has faltered in a couple final rounds in '09. Paula Creamer appears finally over the stomach ailment that had plagued her since late in 2008, and comes in playing well, but is still looking for that first major.
Youngsters like In-Kyung Kim, defending champion Yani Tseng, and Jiyai Shin have great shots at getting into the mix. And a veteran like Se Ri Pak suddenly seems like a viable pick again coming off last week's runner-up finish, her best showing in a long time.
In short, there's a long list of players who can easily be defended as the predicted winner.
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