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Killer Queen 👸🏻
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Attention shoppersThe United States team got off to a very fast start in the 19th Solheim Cup match and never looked back. Europe came into the match having won three in a row, but from the beginning you could see the American side was on a mission. An impressive team victory all but one player earned a point for the home team and five players captured three points or more. By Friday's start, the Americans were heavily favored. We've seen this storyline before, and it hasn't always worked out. Congratulations to Captain Stacy Lewis and everyone involved on the US side. Breaking a three-match losing streak was going to be a very difficult task, and they did it convincingly AND with style. The LPGA has eight regular season events left before the top 60 CME points players compete in the tour championship. Up next is the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G. It's a small commute from northern Virginia to the Cincinnati, Ohio region. Ten players from the Solheim Cup (USA -3, EUR - 7) are playing again including the world's number one player Nelly Korda. The field of 144 players also has 10 of the top 25 in the Rolex World rankings in attendance. The event is preparing to play year three. The prior two editions were held at Kenwood Country Club. Unfortunately, KCC could not host and in the spring TPC River's Bend was selected as the new venue. Kroger Queen City Championship starts in...Up around the bendThe folks at TPC River's Bend have their hands full for this one. Before we break down the course, they only confirmed hosting this event in April! That's a significantly small period of time to take on a professional tournament. Combine their timeline with a very drought plagued summer in Ohio and the course will be firm and fast. Designed by Arnold Palmer in 2001, the par 72 scorecard totals 6,705 yards. Set in Maineville, Ohio just north of Cincinnati, this parkland venue beautifully rolls with the landscape. More warm, dry weather is predicted for the week. Temperatures should climb into the high 80s each day and the wind will provide little relief blowing under 10 mph. Small target greens (6,000 sq/ft) covered in Bentgrass present the biggest test to the field. The top 65 and ties will reach the final 36-holes over the weekend. This is a brand-new venue for an event that's only three years old. Ally Ewing (2022) and Minjee Lee (2023) are the first two champions. There's a definite similarity in their game, but we are playing a new course. TPC River's Bend has 53 bunkers, six holes with water in play, and has 40 acres of fairway. Those weekend warriors will play for $2M and the winner will receive $300,000. With major championship season behind us, the theme this fall for the field is earning CME Points. Much like the men's tour championship, the LPGA's final event of the season is a serious cash grab. Five of those remaining eight events are outside the continental United States. American players should be motivated for the next two weeks competing at home. I expect to see some of our best women contend. Set yourself up for the tour championship and you save some travel time in October overseas. Only 24 LPGA stars played in the Solheim. The remaining players have been waiting a couple weeks to resume their season. This mini mid-west America swing is a quick one. Can those who are well rested gain an edge on the Solheim participants? You know those two teams just went through a substantial mental examination. Will that wear them out, or will their great play in Virginia propel them to bigger and better? This week, we will start to find out! Send it!Every Arnold Palmer design always starts with wide open fairways. TPC River's Bend has 40 acres of fairway. That's easily 10+ acres more than the average LPGA venue. Palmer loves players to use driver off the tee. These ladies will have every opportunity to "send it" all week in Ohio. Toss in firm fairways and length is going to be a serious advantage. Longer players are going to have a huge edge over their shorter competitors when it comes to ball speed. The average player will see a majority of their approach shots in the 150-175 yard range. Above average length ladies will be hitting wedges in. Due to the generous landing areas off the tee, I believe scoring will go low. Four par 5s and over half of the par 4s are under 410 yards. The average par 4 is 389 yards. Kenwood CC was a ball striking test that rewarded great approach play. Our defending champion Minjee Lee is one of the best iron players on tour. TPC River's Bend will play very similarly. The field will be sending scoring shots right at the pin. As such, our card represents a creative blend of birdie or better, ball speed, and the best proximity players on tour. Weeks like this require a deeper dive on approach. With so many scoring shots, I like to look at proximity alongside GIR frequency. Hitting it close is a skill and one that separates average approach players. Not all of the elite players on tour can convert on the greens. I am featuring the best putts per GIR players I can find combined with some length and that proximity prowess. Looking at the layout, the winning score should be in the mid to high teens. That's going to require 20+ sub-par scores. Nelly Korda leads BoB% on tour, but who's next? Those scorers might surprise you. Studying the LPGA for many seasons, we know who the real scorers are. Considering the firms conditions, better ball strikers will definitely stand out. You will certainly get a sense of that when you see the full card. Strokes gained around the green carries the least weight in my research of the four major strokes gained categories. Players will need a little ARG acumen, but from the distance they will be attacking from, if you're chipping, you're not contending. TPC River's Bend has a great complement of par 4s. Longer holes are protected by greenside water; others can be aggressive scoring opportunities. That variability in design requires a well-rounded skill set. The better ball strikers will excel and simply create more birdie chances. That's really the recipe for success. None of the par 3s are incredibly difficult, but you better pay attention. The two on the front nine have penalty areas, and three of the four will play into the wind this week. That's a microcosm for what TPCRB presents the players. Focus on the fundamentals, and you will perform. Start getting sloppy and miss 40-yard wide fairways and you'll get the weekend off. I get the sense from players and officials that everyone's carrying a sense of urgency. Get those CME points at home. Don't wait until you are halfway across the world. I don't believe the Solheim players will be tired. I think their form will carry over. Our outrights were making birdies and believing in themselves last week. Why not carry that confidence into a situation where everyone is a rookie on this course. Momentum is a funny thing and when you have it take advantage! Outright winners - Kroger Queen City Championship
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