So Yeon Ryu Is Going for Two

While the PGA Tour is just getting began (they've a Monday end this week), the LPGA is well underway with the Portland Classic. And whilst I.K. Kim has a 3-shot lead on the sphere and is virtually gambling like a champion -- she's shot sixty five-67 thus far -- So Yeon Ryu is in function to make a run at her second win in a row.

Ryu sits at -8 (T5) with handiest Mi Jung Hur, Carlota Ciganda, and Laura Diaz among her and Kim. Both Kim and Ryu have won this 12 months -- Kim's win came on the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at the LET in early July -- and both have accomplished so in dominating fashion. It won't be a wonder if either wins.

Neither is a positive bet but. Defending champ Suzann Pettersen is T10 at -6, as is Anna Nordqvist (and Juli Inkster, who has a superb record on the Portland Classic), and Shanshan Feng is simplest one shot farther returned. However, considering that maximum of the opposite gamers round them are unproven down the stretch, you have to experience that one of the favorites will must stumble if everybody else is to have a threat.

Right now, it looks as if a fairly small institution of possibly winners. The route is playing difficult and speedy, and gamers are having a tough time putting low rounds collectively.

One different aspect to recollect is the Rolex Player of the Year competition. While Lydia Ko has pretty an awful lot locked up Rookie of the Year, the POY race is a protracted way from settled. According to Neal Reid at LPGA.Com, there are 6 gamers very an awful lot within the running (their factor totals comply with their names):

1. Stacy Lewis, 200
2. Inbee Park, 169
3. Michelle Wie, 151
4. Lydia Ko, 128
5. Lexi Thompson, 104
6. Anna Nordqvist, 100

So Yeon Ryu -- in 7th place with 85 points -- could put herself in the mix with a win this week. (The win is worth 30 points, with 2nd claiming only 12 points.) And with none of the Top5 playing this week, this is an excellent chance for Nordqvist and Ryu to really move up the list. Ryu could reach fifth place (115) while Nordqvist could get to fourth (130).

And if you wonder, Pettersen and Feng ought to handiest flow up to around ninety five-100 points with a win. But with the Evian being well worth 60 points...!

I like both Kim and Ryu's chances of winning this week. But will Ryu's desire to get in the POY race overcome Kim's birdie barrage? We'll just have to see. GC's broadcast starts at 7pm ET tonight.