U.S. Women's Open Preview: Player Profiles

By Ron Sirak

Photos By Getty Images

June 2008

Golf World's Ron Sirak profiles the top contenders for The U.S. Women's Open title and their strengths and weaknesses

Lorena Ochoa

At this point it's sort of like picking Tiger Woods to win a major. She's finished in the top 10 in 14 of her last 18 majors, but the Open puts the most pressure on her to drive the ball in the fairway, and she struggled with that down the stretch last year against Cristie Kerr.

Annika Sorenstam

Striking the ball the best she has since 2005. Keeps changing putting styles: Left-hand low; right-hand low; mixture of both in same round. Has two more shots to wins majors before retiring, and a fourth U.S. Open would tie her with Mickey Wright and Betsy Rawls for most ever.

Paula Creamer

The major that fits her fairways-and-greens game the best is the Open. Is 9th in driving accuracy, 4th in greens in regulation and T-20 putting per GIR. In the top 20 in four consecutive U.S. Opens. The likely place for her to get her first major.

Suzann Pettersen

Has been consistent but not spectacular this year: Third in GIR, T-7 in putts per GIR, 4th in scoring average. Won in Europe earlier this year and seems ready to regain the form that won five LPGA events in 2007. Makes a ton of birdies; needs to avoid any big numbers.

Cristie Kerr

The defending champion has struggled with her consistency this year: 15 rounds in the 60s, seven rounds of 75 or higher. When the putter gets hot, as it did in last year's U.S. Open, and she starts walking the ball into the hole she is tough to beat.

Ji-Yai Shin

At the age of 20, Shin has already won 20 times worldwide, most coming in her native Korea and none on the LPGA, where she is not a member. Finished sixth in last year's U.S. Open.

Yani Tseng

The victory by this extremely consistent 19 year old in the McDonald's LPGA Championship was no fluke. She's third in scoring average, playing 19 of her 40 rounds through the McDonalds in the 60s, and her worst finish of the year is T-28. Only problem for her on a U.S. Open course is her 103 rank in driving accuracy.