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Kono learning on the fly
BY THE NUMBERS
2
Strokes needed by Azahara Munoz for her eagle on the par-4 No. 6 hole.
4
Holes in a row — 15th to 18th — on which Munoz carded a 3.
9
Strokes needed for Michelle Wie on the par-5 No. 1 hole — her 10th of the day.
13
Number of bogeys over two rounds by Stephanie Kono.
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Stephanie Kono’s college career ended when she earned her LPGA Tour card last fall. Her education on life as a pro is just beginning.
Kono gave up her final season of eligibility at UCLA when she accepted a spot on the tour after tying for ninth in the final stage of LPGA qualifying school.
The Punahou graduate missed the cut in three events prior to returning to Hawaii for the Lotte Championship. Her stay at Ko Olina again ended after two rounds, finishing with a 6-over-par 78 on Thursday for a total of 13-over 157.
“I’ve always taken it step-by-step, and my plan was to go to the Futures Tour and then to the LPGA, but I kind of got pushed off the deep end,” Kono said. “But I think there’s a lot to learn from that. This is the first time I am a little bit out of my comfort zone and I think because of that I’m learning a lot more about myself.”
Kono is taking two online courses and has one more in the fall before graduating from UCLA. She’ll continue her rookie season at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic in Alabama next week.
Top players near the top
The LPGA, which came here with 14 of the 15 top-ranked golfers, is definitely delivering.
Of the 17 players within five shots of the lead, all but three are in the top 50 of the Rolex World Rankings and six are in the top 10.
Ai Miyazato, who shares the lead with Azahara Munoz, is a former No. 1 now ranked eighth. Fourth-ranked Cristie Kerr has a share of third and third-ranked Suzann Pettersen a share of fifth.
Tenth-ranked Paula Creamer climbed into a share of eighth. She is tied with seventh-ranked Jiyai Shin. Top-ranked Yani Tseng is another shot back and second-ranked Na Yeon Choi a shot behind her. The Lotte leaderboard is loaded. Maybe it’s the big breeze or Ko Olina’s idiosyncracies.
“You have to really control the shape of your shots,” says Kerr. “When it’s windy, it’s definitely more creative. I think that’s why you’re seeing a lot of top players at the top.”
Wie’s ex-caddy with Lexi
A face familiar to followers of Michelle Wie was among her group traversing Ko Olina on Wednesday and Thursday.
Alexis Thompson’s caddy is Greg Johnston, who was on the bag for Wie from the time she turned pro in 2005 until he was fired about a year later.
Johnston, who was also previously LPGA veteran and Hall of Famer Juli Inkster’s caddy, laughed when it was suggested he specializes in working with prodigies.
Thompson, 17, finished at 7 over par and did not make the cut. But she has already won an LPGA event, and Johnston said Thompson’s game and demeanor are advanced for her age.
“She’s a good player,” Johnston said. “She had a little trouble putting this week, but there’s a lot of upside and potential. She’s pretty independent. Her parents let her be as independent as possible for someone her age. That will benefit her in the long run.”
Lindberg moves on up
Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg was a swing away from putting her irons and wedges away for good on Thursday.
All Lindberg needed on No. 18 was a par to tie Azahara Munoz for low round of the day with a 64.
Instead, Lindberg came up short on her approach, which found the water that guards the front of the hole. She brought out a new ball and finished with a double bogey to close with a 6-under 66.
It was still a successful day overall for the Oklahoma State alumnae, who was in danger of missing the cut. A 66 moved her up 67 spots, from a tie for 85th to a tie for 18th.
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