Golden faces tough task
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2002 State Farm Classic | Preview | 26 Aug 2002
Kate Golden won her first USLPGA Tour event here in Illinois last year but given her form this year it will be almost as big a surprise to see her win it again.
Golden who joined the USLPGA Tour back in 1992 has slowly gotten better each season on tour but the win here last year, was not only her first win but her very first top three in all that time. She finished second earlier this year at the Shoprite event where she led for much of the event, but that has been her only top ten this year and last week she missed the cut by five. Still, returning to a winning venue can lift the spirits and the form so let’s hope it has that effect on Golden.
As this goes to print only Se Ri Pak of the big four will be here with Sorenstam, who was second last year, missing along with Webb and Inkster. That leaves the likes of Rachel Teske, Mi Hyun Kim, Hee Won Han, Laura Diaz and Grace and Gloria Park to challenge last week’s winner Pak.
Other Australians in the field are Jane Crafter, Tamie Durdin, Mardi Lunn, Carmen Hajjar, Jo Anne Mills, Karen Pearce and Shani Waugh fresh from a few weeks in Europe. New Zealander Marnie McGuire is also in the field.
