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As I was pulling out of the Trump National G.C. parking lot late Wednesday afternoon, only one player remained on the practice putting green. It was 13 year old Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand.
Guess who eliminated defending champion Alexis Thompson on Thursday? Jutanugarn, who by the way, is the youngest to ever qualify for an LPGA Tour event. She was 11 years, 11 months in 2007 when she made the field at the Honda LPGA Thailand. She tied for 51st.
Despite losing in the second round to Karen Chung, Ginger Howard enjoyed her week at the Girls' Junior, especially since her 13-year-old sister, Robbi, also qualified. Ginger played the role of mentor this week, showing Robbi the ropes of the event, including the pre-championship party and players' dinner. She also helped with pointers on how to play the golf course. Robbi failed to make the cut, but Ginger talked it up to a learning experience.
Saw a couple of players competing Thursday without rain gear on. Victoria Tanco, who won her third-round match over 2008 runner-up Karen Chung, disdained the Gore-tex. Suzie Lee also was not wearing any rain clothes. Lee was ousted by Doris Chen, 6 and 4.
Chen went through a pair of Lees on Thursday. First she beat second seed Erynne Lee, 3 and 1, and then Suzie Lee.
Considering the last three champions have been 13, 14 and 13, you have to like the chances of Jutanugarn...that is if you follow trends. The last 17 year old to win this title was In-Kyung Kim in 2005.
Kimberly Kim, Jennifer Johnson, medalist Amy Anderson and Kimberly Kaufman are all 17. Tanco is 15. Chen and Cangrejo are both 16.
Countries represented in the quarters include the U.S. (Anderson, Kaufman, Johnson and Kim), Chinese Taipei (Chen), Thailand (Jutanugarn), Argentina (Tanco) and Colombia (Cangrejo).
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