Michelle Wie and friends will be at Ko Olina on April 8-14 for the LPGA’s seventh annual Lotte Championship. Cristie Kerr, who set the tournament record last year (20-under-par 268), is expected to defend her title.
Kerr beat Lydia Ko, In Gee Chun and Su-Yeon Jang by three last year for her 19th LPGA victory. Wie won her home tournament in 2014.
Admission is free Sunday-Tuesday of tournament week. Tickets are $10 on tournament days (Wednesday-Saturday) and available at the main gate. A $25 All Week Pass will also be on sale.
Kids 16 and under are free with a paying adult and active duty and retired military are free with official military ID.
The tournament is recruiting volunteers. Visit lottechampionship.com for more information.
Lotte has extended its title sponsorship through 2020. The $2 million tournament is the eighth of the year and follows the first major — the ANA Inspiration, which has a $2.8 million purse.
The tour has 34 events in 14 countries in 2018, and is playing for a record $68.75 million. The PGA Tour is playing for more than $363 million.
TaylorMade showing off drivers
TaylorMade’s latest equipment, including the M3 and M4 drivers, will be on display on Feb. 17 at Ko Olina’s driving range.
Free fitting appointments will be available every half hour. Call the golf shop (676-5300) to schedule.
ALOHA SECTION PGA GOLF TIP
Scott Ashworth
PGA
LOOK UP AND LET IT FLOW
Many people have commented to me about Jordan Spieth looking at the hole on short putts. They ask me why he does this. While I don’t know for sure why Jordan does this, I can tell you some great reasons why you should try it too!
On shorter putts (say inside 10 feet), golfers tend to tense up, focus intently on the ball, and then try to steer the putt in the hole with their hands. The result tends to be a wobbly, not-so-confident putting stroke.
Instead of looking at the ball on these short putts, try looking at the hole. I’ve found that this tends to take your focus off the ball to more of a free flowing stroke that merely has the ball getting in the way of a great stroke.
Looking up at the hole also allows your shoulders and arms to swing more freely through the putting stroke.
So next time you are out playing Manele Golf Course, keep your head up and enjoy the scenery from every golf hole! And when faced with those tricky short putts, keep your head up, look at the hole, and feel how free you can swing that putter!
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Ashworth is director of golf at Four Seasons Resort Lanai
