2012 United States Women’s Open Preview With Morgan Pressel, Stacy Lewis,Vicky Hurst, Brittany Lincicome, Yani Tseng, Se Ri Pak, Michelle Wie and More

Defending US Women’s Open Champion, So-Yeon Ryu

I must admit that my blog has drifted lately into more forehands than fairways. It’s a bit understandable as the tennis season has heated up with Roland Garros, followed quickly by Wimbledon and in a few weeks the Summer Olympics (and not too long after that the US Open). But I have still been watching, though not posting about, the LPGA. This week, as Wimbledon wraps up, I will also have my eyes on proceedings at Blackwolf Run as the US Women’s Open returns to Kohler, Wisconsin for the first time since Se Ri Pak started the Korean Wave throughout the golf world by winning the 1998 US Women’s Open.

As you heard in one of the videos above, Blackwolf Run is a long course that will challenge the players this week, particularly if there is any rain and the fairways become soft. Still, these are the best players in the world so I wouldn’t count anybody out. That said, don’t be surprised to see players like Bam-Bam, Yani Tseng, Vicky Hurst and Lexi Thompson among the leaders this week.

Yani Tseng and Annika Sorenstam during practice round at Blackwolf Run.

The international field at the 2012 US Women’s Open will be led by the best player in the world, Yani Tseng. The Taiwanese superstar won 3 early tournaments this year but has stumbled a bit in recent weeks, culminating in a rare missed cut in Arkansas. After a tie for 59th in the last Major, look for Yani to bounce back in spectacular fashion this week. If she were to win, she would complete the Career Grand Slam, as the US Women’s Open is the only Major to elude her. However, there are many players from around the world such as Ai Miyazato, Momoko Ueda and defending champion So-Yeon Ryu who will offer up their own challenge for the title. 3 out of the last 4 US Women’s Open  champions have been from South Korea (Ryu, Eun-Hee Ji and Inbee Park).

Stacy Lewis

While Yani is the unquestioned best player in the world, the American players at the US Women’s Open are led by Stacy Lewis, who is fast becoming a challenger for the top spot in women’s golf. Also look for players like Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer and Vicky Hurst to be among the leaders this week. I have been looking for Vicky to have that breakthrough and maybe this will be the week.

A few practice round photos:

STACY LEWIS

MICHELLE WIE

SUZANN PETTERSEN

PAIGE MACKENZIE

CHEYENNE WOODS

YANI TSENG, ANNIKA SORENSTAM and GARY GILCHRIST

KAREN STUPPLES

AI MIYAZATO

KARRIE WEBB

DEWI CLAIRE SCHREEFEL

IN-KYUNG KIM

MORGAN PRESSEL

SAMANTHA MARKS

AZAHARA MUNOZ

JIN-SOO YANG