5 things to expect on Monday morning at the U.S. Women's Open: Golf Digest Woman: Golf Digest

5 things to expect on Monday morning at the U.S. Women's Open

Monday, July 11, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. -- Welcome to the final edition of "Things To Expect," where we've been predicting what might unfold after the first golf ball flies in the air. Since the 66th U.S. Women's Open is seemingly the championship that never ends, however, we might be back tomorrow for yet another version of "Things To Expect."

1. Live coverage: ESPN2 and ESPN3.com will air the remainder of the championship, starting at 8 a.m. local time (10 a.m. EDT). Since the most holes any golfer has to finish is five, we're expecting one hour of action this morning.

2. An easier stretch of final holes: The final few holes have played the toughest all week, but their fourth-round set-up has yielded more birdies. The last five holes rank as the 11th, fifth, 13th, 15th and 10th most difficult on the East Course. The par-5 17th is playing slightly under par (it has given up 12 birdies and nine bogeys during the fourth round). And whereas players previously averaged nearly a stroke over par on the finishing hole, they have averaged 4.2 strokes during the fourth round.

3. A charge up the leaderboard: Three players have a legitimate chance of catching Hee Kyung Seo's final score of three under par, and they all seem confident and ready to make their move. "I like the 16th and 17th holes," said So Yeon Ryu, who is one shot back and has three holes to play. And Cristie Kerr, who has just two holes to pick up two shots, said, "the tournament is not decided yet. I think [Hee Kyung Seo] is over there celebrating. We all still have a chance."

4. A three-hole playoff: It only seems fitting that a championship wrought with delays might produce a playoff. Why should it end?! Should someone match Hee Kyung Seo's performance, the three-hole playoff would begin on the 180-yard par-3 16th. And if the golfers are still tied after playing the 18th hole (again, that would be fitting), they will play the final hole until someone wins.

5. An anti-climactic finish to a premier championship: The fans, much like the players, have endured more than 15 hours of weather delays over the past few days. Sadly, support on the 18th hole is not going to match the grandeur of the U.S. Women's Open.

--Ashley Mayo