To me, the golf season doesn’t officially start until the year’s first major. And this year, The Kraft Nabisco Championship edges The Masters on the schedule by seven days – thus putting The LPGA front and center this week. So naturally there are some questions – such as, will Annika continue her dominance in 2007? Can she make one more run at the Grand Slam? Is Lorena Ochoa ready to take over as the world’s best player? Is Karrie Webb ready for a repeat? Will Michelle Wie be missed? Are any of the young Americans ready to win a major?
I think Annika will still have a solid year – probably winning 2-4 times – but her days as the dominant player are over. There has to be a peak with all top athletes and I believe Annika’s peak happened a couple years ago. However, her peak was so much better than any other pro – even on the way down – she is still scary good today. But no – I don’t think Annika will be this year’s best player and I don’t believe she will win the Grand Slam.
If not Annika – then who? My simple answer is Lorena Ochoa. She is the best player on tour right now – hands down. She won last week with a flurry of birdies on the final nine holes and brings a tremendous amount of momentum into the week. Will she win? Can’t say for sure if she will win this week – but it wouldn’t surpise me at all if she won 5-8 times this year. She’s that good!
I for one was happy to see Karrie Webb’s comeback last year. She is a classy lady and one of the all-time greats. I think last year was her answer to those who said she was done playing world class golf. Well, as last year showed – she is not even close to being done. She still has a lot of wins left and I’m sure will be a factor all year.
Michelle Wie has a tremendous record in the LPGA Majors the last few years – with tons of top-five finsishes. However, she is away this week with a wrist injury, which begs the question – will she be missed? Absolutely! She is maybe the greatest talent women’s golf has ever seen and once she gets a handle on her schedule – she will be incredible. And eventually take the LPGA to levels it only dreamed of.
Will Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel or Paula Creamer win a Major this year? Well, Natalie and Morgan still need to win their first tournament – let alone major – but they are surely capable. I suspect Natalie and Morgan will both get their first wins this year and Paula will also win 2-3 times. So yes, they could all win a Major event this year, as they all have big time games. Although if Paula wins – I do hope she does it without her pink golf balls.
Read more about the LPGA’s first Major
