Congratulations to Ai Suzuki on her first victory of the season at the 2017 Hoken-no-Madoguchi Ladies. It was a great birthday treat for Ai-chan, who turned 23 on May 9th. Even though she finished 57th at last week’s Salonpas Cup, before that Suzuki was knocking on the door to victory. She finished 4th at Studio … Continue reading
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Ha-Neul Kim Wins 2017 Salonpas Cup, Bests Lexi Thompson By 3 Shots
Ha-Neul Kim and defending champion Lexi Thompson both opened the 2017 World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup with less than impressive 2-over 74s. By the end of the first JLPGA Major of the season, they were each within reach of the trophies. It would be Ha-Neul with hardware in both hands as she turned a first … Continue reading
Four Rising WTA/LPGA Players I’m Watching Closely In 2017
NAOMI OSAKA (Japan) 2017 Tour: WTA I’ve had my eye on 19-year old Naomi Osaka for a few years. 2016 was a year of breakthroughs as she reached her career high ranking in singles at #40. She also advanced to her first career full WTA level final, the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open, finishing runner-up. … Continue reading
Fairways and Forehands 2016 WTA and LPGA Top 12 Year In Review: #11 Johanna Konta and Haru Nomura
For the fourth annual edition of my WTA and LPGA money list countdown I will focus on the dynamic dozen from each tour, the top 12 on the money lists. For the WTA, singles, doubles and mixed are combined for total earnings. Here are the #11 players for 2016: Johanna Konta (WTA) and Haru Nomura … Continue reading
WTA Players Step Out At 2016 China Open Players Party
I don’t know if Garbine Muguruza will successfully defend her title at the 2016 China Open, but she was certainly a winner on the red carpet, as all the ladies of the WTA were. Play has already started at this event, with Venus Williams, Carla Suarez Navarro and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova all being first round seeded … Continue reading
Nasa Hataoka Wins 2016 Japan Women’s Open
History was made at the 2016 Japan Women’s Open as 17-year old amateur Nasa Hataoka bested an elite field that included Major winners Jiyai Shin and In-Gee Chun finishing in the top 5 to take the title at the third Major of the JLPGA season. Hataoka used a 3-under 68 (par is 71 here) to … Continue reading
Caroline Wozniacki Wins 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open
Building on her improved play over the summer, Caroline Wozniacki won her first tournament of the season at the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. The former world #1, a semifinalist at the US Open earlier this month, took out Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the Tokyo final, 7-5 6-3. After being down 5-7 0-5, Osaka rallied … Continue reading
2016 US Open Day 5: Madison Keys Comes Back From 1-5 Down In Final Set To Win Third Round Match Against Naomi Osaka
Oh. My. Goodness. In her young career Madison Keys has shown power, skill and athleticism. On day 5, in her third round match at the 2016 US Open, the 8th seed escaped a spirited upset bid from another up and coming player, Naomi Osaka, by showing tremendous heart. Maddie appeared down and out at 1-5 … Continue reading
2016 US Open Day 3: Naomi Osaka Advances, Sets Up Showdown With Madison Keys; Garbine Muguruza Bows Out
Ah, the luck of the draw. It affects the players the most, obviously. But it also affects the fans. With each passing tournament, Naomi Osaka of Japan is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. As much as I am a fan of American Coco Vandeweghe, I was very happy to see Naomi upset the … Continue reading
Ritsuko Ryu Wins 2016 Nitori Ladies
August 2016 on the JLPGA has belonged to two players, Bo-Mee Lee and Ritsuko Ryu. Bo-Mee opened the month by winning the Meiji Cup. Ritsuko answered with victory at the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament. Lee was next to title at last week’s CAT Ladies. Ryu now closes out this cycle of the moon in … Continue reading
Fairways and Forehands 