Leading Contenders: Player Profiles

July 2005

This week's Ricoh Women's British Open will be played at Sunningdale Golf Club near London. Players listed have made the cut in the first three major championships of the year and are ranked in their cumulative order of finish in those majors. The number in parenthesis is the cumulative place of finish for the player in the Kraft Nabisco Champion, McDonald's LPGA Championship and U.S. Women's Open.

Mi Hyun Kim (22)

Only player with three top-10 finishes in the majors this year (T-6, T-10, T-6). Has missed the cut in last five British Opens, but was second at Sunningdale in 2001.

Photo By G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images

Annika Sorenstam (29)

T-2 at Kraft Nabisco and T-3 at the McDonald's, both of which she could have won if she had putted better. Could make her last major a memorable one.

Photo By David Cannon/Getty Images

Lorena Ochoa (35)

Hasn't won since the Sybase Classic May 18 but may have recharged her batteries after some time off. Won last year at St. Andrews and was fourth at Sunningdale in '04.

Photo By Travis Lindquist/Getty Images

Paula Creamer (37)

A win here to go with three LPGA victories puts her in the Player-of-the-Year race with Ochoa. Likely learned from her painful closing 78 in the U.S. Open.

Photo By Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Seon Hwa Lee (42)

Has quietly emerged as a top-10 player, winning twice this year and four times on the LPGA at the age of 22. MC and T-61 in only two British Opens.

Photo By David Cannon/Getty Images

Na Yeon Choi (43)

Remarkably consistent 21-year-old rookie. Worse finish is T-32, in her first event of the year, and has six top-10 finishes. Has never played the British Open.

Photo By Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Cristie Kerr (44)

T-11 at Sunningdale in 2004. Has been in the top five in two of the last three British Opens. Second-best on tour in putts per GIR. Has proven she can win a major

Photo By Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Suzann Pettersen (49)

No LPGA wins this year but has two in Europe. Playing well (fourth in scoring average) and due to have it all come together. Struggled in last three British Opens.

Photo By Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Jee Young Lee (52)

Long hitter who plays majors well, finishing in top 22 in last 10. Was second last year at St. Andrews. If she hits fairways can overpower Sunningdale.

Photo By David Cannon/Getty Images

Inbee Park (56)

The 20-year-old U.S. Women's Open champion has finished T-11 (St. Andrews last year) or better in four of her last five majors. Leads in putts per GIR.

Photo By G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images