Lines are still up at First Stake, so I'll add a little preview to my rather hurried earlier post
A very strong field has assembled in Naples, Florida for this event - 47 of the top-50 LPGA money winners and all but two members of the US and European Solheim teams tee off this week, though last week's winner Se Ri Pak was a late withdrawal. The event attracted 44,000 visitors last year and it looks to be great start to the year for the LPGA Tour.
The event has been played at the Strand for the past two years and the player with the best record here is Meg Mallon who won this event in 1999 and finished 3rd last year, just one shot out of the play-off behind Nancy Scranton and Maria Hjorth. But 16/1 is a little too short after a very disappointing performance last week. Instead the headline selection is Julie Inkster who didn't compete last week. Her record on this is also excellent: 7th two years ago and in that tie for 3rd place with Mallon last year. The odds may be short, though at double figures just warrant the e/w element which is a useful safeguard as she has finished in the top-5 in 50% of all her LPGA events in the last two years, but she is talking her game up this week and that's good enough for me: "This course sets up well for me, and I am driving the ball well. I?m hitting my iron shots good, and I?ll try to take advantage of the par-5?s. I really like this course, and I always play well here"
The only other pick this week is Carin Koch. She finished down in 41st place last year though that was only nine shots worse than the winner and that is not a great deal over 72 holes. The reason for her selection, given the price, is her performance last week when she finished 2nd, but had been the final round leader overnight and was only thwarted by a resurgent Se Ri Pak, though she didn't crumble under the pressure of being overtaken while in the lead group. Attractive odds for a place finish at least.
