2011 Wegmans LPGA Championship TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

THE 2011 WEGMANS LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP tees off on Thursday at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York. The second longest-running tournament in LPGA history, the LPGA Championship began in 1955 and is the second of four majors on the ladies tour.

Cristie Kerr defends. Last year Kerr shot 19-under 269 for a record-setting 12-stroke victory. Kerr has three consecutive runner-up finishes coming in. Rolex Rankings No. 1 Yani Tseng won the most recent tour event, the LPGA State Farm Classic.

Stacy Lewis (pictured at left), winner of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the year’s first major, shared her thoughts on Locust Hill.

“I like this course. I’ve played well here the last couple of years, too. Off the tee, you actually have to hit some shots left-to-right, a little bit of a fade. That sets up really well for me. This course is just all about fairways and greens. The simpler you keep it, the less you are in the rough. That’s what’s going to end up winning the golf tournament.”



Purse: $2.5 million
Winner’s share: $375,000
Defending champion: Cristie Kerr
Course: Locust Hill Country Club, Par 72, 6,506 yards

2011 Wegmans LPGA Championship Leaderboard

Tournament preview
Final field
Pairings
Interviews
Wegmans LPGA Championship website

TV SCHEDULE

All TV coverage of the 2011 Wegmans LPGA Championship is on Golf Channel.

Thu, June 23
12:30-2:30 PM

Fri, June 24
12:30-2:30 PM ET

Sat, June 25
4:00-7:00 PM ET

Sun, June 26
4:00-7:00 PM ET

−The Armchair Golfer

(Photo credit: dnkbdotcom, Flickr, Creative Commons license)

LPGA Tour: ‘Ladies Who Will Eat Your Lunch’

“Ladies who will eat your lunch,” as Paul Creamer refers to the women’s tour in the above clip, are drawing larger numbers. LPGA.com reports an increase in TV ratings, attendance and website traffic through the first five events of the 2011 season.

Total television viewership is 20 percent higher than like events on cable in 2010. Like events televised on Golf Channel have seen a 32 percent bump in viewership. The Kraft Nabisco Championship drew the most viewers for rounds 1 and 2 since 18 and 17 years ago, respectively. Overall website traffic during the year’s first major was up 52 percent. In addition, attendance has increased by eight percent through the first four events.

“We know it’s early,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, “but we feel that the Tour’s popularity is on the rise and we will do all we can to maintain this momentum throughout the season.”

The ladies are back in action next week at the Avnet LPGA Classic in Mobile, Alabama. Se Ri Pak is the defending champion.

−The Armchair Golfer

Congrats to Juli Inkster, Patty Berg Award Winner

I’VE ALWAYS LIKED JULI Inkster. I think it’s because she comes across as a real person with a life outside of golf (not that others don’t have a life) and at the same time is hyper competitive and exudes a fun spirit on the golf course.

Inkster was named the 2010 recipient of the Patty Berg Award, given in honor of the LPGA founder (one of 13) and Hall of Famer. The award is given to individuals who exemplify diplomacy, sportsmanship and goodwill, and make lasting contributions to the game of golf. Check, check, check and check. Inkster is more than deserving.

“She [Berg] always demonstrated what being a professional is all about,” Juli said at LPGA.com. “She gave so much of herself to the LPGA. Receiving this award with Patty’s name on it, and thinking of all the special individuals before me who have received it, leaves me truly humbled.”

Inkster has had a tremendous career in golf. She entered both the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame and World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999, which was the same year she became only the second woman in LPGA history to complete the modern-day LPGA Career Grand Slam. Early on, Inkster won three consecutive U.S. Women’s Amateur titles. Um, that’s dominant. She never slowed down after turning professional, collecting more than 30 victories, including seven majors. She also played on eight U.S. Solheim Cup teams.

I’d love to see Inkster win again, but if it doesn’t happen she will still have a room full of trophies and awards to admire. Congrats, Juli, on adding another one.

First 2010 LPGA Major

The Kraft Nabisco Championship, the year’s first major, tees off on Thursday in Rancho Mirage, California. Brittany Lincicome is the defending champion. The field is deep, which should produce a lot of excitement like last year when Lincicome eagled the final hole to win her first major. Visit LPGA.com and Mostly Harmless for previews and predictions.

−The Armchair Golfer

(Image: Harry Limey/Flickr)