Stanford vs. Stanford sophomore

Most of the focus of the LPGA's first tournament, as it should, has been on Michelle Wie, the Stanford sophomore who is threatening to win in her first start as a member of the LPGA.

But another story line to emerge, though not as compelling, is the emergence of Angela Stanford as a bona fide star. Stanford, who is eighth on the Rolex Rankings, and Wie are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the SBS Open at Turtle Bay.

In her last six tournaments of 2008, Stanford finished first, tied for third, second, tied for fourth, first and sixth. That's an Annika-like (or more recently Ochoa-like) streak, though streak implies a temporary surge. If that were the case, the months between the last tournament of 2008, the ADT Championship in November, and the start of the 2009 season should have ended her run. It hasn't, indicating that this is her new standard.

Here's Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writing about the native Texan's rise.

-- John Strege