There’s new queen of the hill and as unbelievable as it may seem, it’s an American. Cristie Kerr with a win of epic margin securing her second career major leaps from fifth to first in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings.
“Epic” might not due justice to the way she blew away a field of the best lady players in golf. Twelve strokes over Song-Hee Kim (Korea) and by 14 over Ai Miyazato (Japan) who had held the number one spot in world rankings for one week taking over from Jiyai Shin after her win at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
More importantly Kerr is the first American ever to be in the number one spot since the rankings were launched in February 2006. Annika Sorenstam and then Lorena Ochoa, now both retired, had dominated the list for four years until Shin took over.
Does this signal resurgence by American women in world golf? Let’s hope so for the sake of the LPGA, their marketing efforts and their ability to attract tournament sponsors.
A few facts though put some dimensions on the situation.
Kerr’s major win is the sixth win for an American this year-her second.
American’s have won only four of the past 14 majors-Kerr has two of those.
Kerr’s win the LPGA Championship is the first by an American in 10 years.
Michelle Wie is the only other American in the top 10 of the Rolex Rankings.
Kerr is second on the 2010 money list-$60,000 behind Miyazato.
Azahara Munoz (Spain) leads U.S.’s Amanda Blumenherst for rookie honors.
Mina Harigae is the only other American (#10) in the rookie top 10.
As has appeared in this column on other occasions, the LPGA Tour is truly the only international golf tour, way ahead of the PGA Tour or any other of the male tours. While this is wonderful and good for the game it is not the business plan which will either cause intense fan involvement in the United States nor corporate sponsorships from U.S. companies.
The answer is simple. The LPGA needs to keep doing what it’s doing around the world, particularly Asia where money/sponsorships have grown but to make the Tour work in the U.S. American players have to win and win often. In short, Cristy or Michelle or Paula or whomever needs to dominant.
And by the way, Mrs. Ray Knight made one of her rare appearances on Tour at the LPGA Championship Presented by Wegmans thrilling the Rochester crowd. Unfortunately Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez in her first tournament of 2010 missed the cut with rounds of 87 and 86.
About Ed Travis
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