Three front-runners to vie for LPGA season-ending event

The LPGA tour plays its final event of 2013 when the CME Titleholders is played on Friday at the Tiburon Golf Club(par-72 courses) carrying a winner’s check of 700,000 dollars in Naples in Florida. Elite 70 golfers who finished inside the top three at any event of the 2013 schedule will compete in this event. Among the favorites, three players are particularly in the limelight.

○ Park In-bee: relaxed

Park In-bee, 25, who locked up Player of the Year honors as the first Korean golfer which was her biggest goal, seems to be relaxed. She said, “I’m comfortable. That’s why I’m looking forward to it.” Her fans are interested whether she could win the money list title for two consecutive years and the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average. She is ahead of Suzann Pettersen from Norway by 100,000 U.S .dollars in prize money and ranks third in scoring average. She said, “I don’t care because I’ve had it once. A good ending is important as well.” Her family from Korea will attend the Player of the Year ceremony. She claimed a victory in the first event this season in the expectation of a splendid finale.

○ Lydia Ko: much anticipated

Kiwi Lydia Ko, 16, gets off to a start in a much-anticipated professional debut. Although she won two LPGA victories as an amateur, she seems stressed for getting a lot of attention as a professional golfer. How much can she get for her first prize money, which will be remembered for a long time? Many professional golfers had a hard time in a pro debut. Tiger Woods tied for 60th at the Greater Milwaukee Open. Michelle Wie who is often compared with Ko finished fourth in her first professional event at the 2005 Samsung World Champion but was disqualified later for taking an illegal drop in the third round. She showed tears after being disqualified.

○ Choi Na-yeon: prepared

Choi Na-yeon, 26, who is the world’s no. 6 and earned her seventh career win at this season-ending event last year, tries a second win. She finished in the top 10 this season eight times and gained one million-dollar winner’s check but did not get any trophy. She was qualified to the tour at her first attempt, and her worst record was tying for 44th. Despite her steady pace, something seems to be missing. The LPGA tour said in its website, “Choi Na-yeon had a relatively quiet season.” Choi who tries to win a trophy moved to Florida, skipping last week’s event in Mexico. She made lots of efforts to overcome jet lag and control her conditions. Her shots have been good throughout the season with the fourth ranking with a scoring average of 70.226. Much is expected to her.