Kerr defends LPGA State Farm
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2011 LPGA State Farm Classic | Preview | 08 Jun 2011
The LPGA moves west to Illinois this week where it will play the State Farm Classic at the Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield.
First played in 1976, the event is one of the longest established on the LPGA Schedule although it has been played at this particular Hale Irwin designed venue since only 2007.
Cristie Kerr defends the title she won in 2010 by one shot over Na Yeon Choi and Anna Nordqvist. Kerr is playing well at present having been runner-up in each of her last two starts and she appears well placed to successfully defend. Kerr also won the event in 2004 although that was at the former venue at the nearby Rail Golf Course.
The event is the final LPGA tournament before the second major of the year, the Wegmans LPGA Championship, the LPGA Tour not playing an event opposite next week’s US Open.
This week’s field includes all five of the leading players on the Rolex World Rankings with Kerr the favourite to win. Yani Tseng, Jiyai Shin, Suzann Pettersen and Na Yeon Choi make up the remaining four.
Australians in the field are Karrie Webb, Michelle Ellis, Katherine Hull, Sarah Kemp, Sarah Jane Smith, Alison Whitaker and Lindsey Wright.
Sarah Kemp earned the right to play the US Women’s Open a few days ago and will be bouyed by that news.
