LPGA Tour returns to Arkansas
IN: News | LPGA | LPGA NW Arkansas Championship (2007) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 06 Sep 2007
The LPGA Tour returns to Arkansas for the first time in more than 50 years when the NW Arkansas Championship is played at the Don Sechrest and Bruce Lietzke designed Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, in the north west of the state starting this Friday. The last time an LPGA Tour event was played in this state was in 1956 when Patty Berg won the Arkansas Open
Being the lead up event to next week’s Solheim Cup in Sweden, the tournament has attracted nine of the American Solheim Cup Team while two of the European Team keen to have their game’s at peak performance for next week’s intercontinental battle.
The tournament favourite is likely to be Cristie Kerr although only because of her world ranking (number 4) rather than any current form. After winning the US Open in July her form has dropped off and she will be keen to use this event to get things moving forward again before next week.
Christina Kim is playing well at present and has been runner up in each of her last two starts and is well placed to add to her two LPGA Tour victories.
Laura Diaz has regained some form in recent weeks and could do well while Jeong Jang, with four top tens in her last six starts, is another who is in form good enough to win this week.
Others who could be considered are Mi Hyun Kim who played a little better last week in Springfield and Juli Inkster who at the age of 47 is still capable of winning against players more than half her age.
Rachel Hetherington had her best finish in 20 months last week when third in Illinois and is the leading Australian in the field while fellow Australians Lindsey Wright, Katherine Hull and Michelle Ellis will also play.
