Here's another stat to consider when handicapping this year's field: In this century, 30 of the 38 LPGA majors have been won by non-Americans, although half of the eight U.S. victories have come in the U.S. Women's Open. Among the Americans to watch this year are Kerr, the 2007 Women's Open champion, Angela Stanford, McPherson and Creamer, who has eight wins at the age of 22 but is still looking for her first major.
A good indication of the inability of the marquee names on the LPGA to stand tall this season is the fact that Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis failed to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open. Even though between them they have a combined one LPGA victory, they draw crowds wherever they go. But they will be watching on TV this year.
The LPGA is entering an odd stretch of scheduling. After the U.S. Women's Open, the tour is off for a week, plays the Evian Masters in France and the Ricoh Women's British Open at Royal Lytham St. Annes, is off for two weeks and then plays the Solheim Cup. For a lot of players that means Saucon Valley is the last shot at a paycheck until the Safeway Classic near Portland, Ore. at the end of August.
Webb was correct: If you get hot at the right time you can win three majors and all of the money. In this particular year, that stretch will serve to better define who the top player is this year on the LPGA. And for some players it will be the last shot at earning some cash for a month and a half, but that's another issue.
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