The Waianae Coast sunlight streaming across the ninth fairway on this Thursday afternoon at Ko Olina was straight out of the pages of “The Natural,” something NetFlix couldn’t capture at its sharpest resolution.
Waiting for a late-afternoon threesome that boasted second-round leader and eventual runner-up Eun-Hee Ji as one of its members, these shafts of light were briefer than a rainbow’s; beautiful but blinding. Those spectators who found themselves facing them needed a baseball cap or a hand across the forehead to fight them off. They almost wished it were a painting somehow; something to be studied or admired in a New York City museum when time didn’t matter.
For this trio of golfers, it was an annoyance in judging the proper approach shot at hole No. 36 of the Lotte Championship, nothing more. They waited a bit as the sun set lower, putting those shafts of light to bed for good, helping Ji finish at 15 under halfway home.
Had she played the next 36 in 2 under par she would have won this LPGA event by one over eventual champion Brooke M. Henderson, who successfully defended her crown with a steady performance on Saturday to beat Ji by four. When Henderson tapped in for the win, the light was not the same. Not for Ji, at least.
Late Thursday, she stepped off the ninth hole with the lead and full of hope after shooting 64 and 65 the opening two rounds en route to a record-setting 129. By contrast, Henderson was four shots off the pace at the halfway point. Nobody was waiting for her at the scorer’s tent as they were for Ji.
The South Korean looked like a young woman who had just won the local women’s golf amateur in some far-off town in the Midwest. Imagine trying to talk with any of the five second-round Masters leaders. Now think about doing it solo as Ji stepped up to a local reporter and answered what was asked of her, often with a smile on her face.
This kind of access just doesn’t happen every day. Those five second-round leaders at the Masters? They were Francesco Molinari, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen. They didn’t do any one-on-ones on what it’s like to be halfway to a green jacket that none would wear on Sunday.
This LPGA event in Honolulu is a good way to introduce professional golf to young fans. One thing you don’t see at a tournament like the Masters is a lot of young children running around. Rarely is anyone pushing a kid in a stroller at Augusta National as was often done here all four days. While the crowds at this tournament were thin by comparison, it still provides unmatched access to the best women players in the world.
Eight of the top 10 golfers in the Race to the CME globe rankings — a season-long points competition on the LPGA Tour similar to the FedEx Cup for the men— were in the Ko Olina clubhouse, including world No. 1 Jin-Young Ko. This tour is in need of young people being interested enough to bring young children with them. The players are right across the ropes. You can follow along, stay in touch and enjoy the golf course experience.
Certainly, it’s a lot easier to watch it on television. You can keep up with a lot of golfers all at once. But you miss the ambience, the hot dogs, the chance for an autograph from your favorite golfer, or even the opportunity to listen in to reporters talking with players right next to you, including Ji on this lazy Thursday afternoon.
The 2009 U.S. Women’s Open champion didn’t make it to the trophy presentation 48 hours later as she had hoped. Henderson was in control Saturday on this golf course located on the edge of Western civilization. Out here, the light plays tricks with you, a magical experience for those around when it comes out to play.
After Henderson had done her thing in the media center, there was just enough of it left to prompt one reporter to try to convince the rest just to step outside the tent for a minute and experience sundown. The light is comforting, another reporter observed as the colorful hues stretched across the sky.
Before long, the show was over. Henderson packed up her trophy, said her good-byes and thank yous, then disappeared into the night to celebrate her victory with family and friends. Just another day in paradise for the fortunate few. Make sure you turn off the lights before you go.
