CLASH OF THE TITANS
The world’s top two players have put on a show in 2016. Through 23 events, Lydia Ko and Ariya Jutanugarn have combined for nine wins, including two majors, and 22 total top-10 finishes in 37 combined starts.
On Thursday, Jutanugarn will play alongside Brooke Henderson and Cristie Kerr in the group right in front of Ko, who will be joined by Stacy Lewis and defending champion Suzann Pettersen.
“When I see her play on TV or when I’m playing alongside her, I can really feel that she is confident, and that’s a great state to be in,” Ko said of Jutanugarn. “I think what she’s doing for golf in Thailand and especially in Asia in the women’s game, I think it’s great, because her game is quite different, playing without a driver and being such a long hitter, but also being so strong in the short game. She’s just a very well-balanced player, and I think that brings a different perspective.”
Jutanugarn says her goal is to be the best player in the world, but also to stay positive on the course.
“Of course, I want to be No. 1, but on top of that obviously I really want to be happy on the course,” said Jutanugarn. “And as long as I can have fun and enjoy when I play golf, that’s enough for me.”
2016 Stats - Lydia Ko vs. Ariya Jutanugarn
| STATISTIC | KO | JUTANUGARN |
|---|---|---|
| Rolex World Ranking | 1 (45 weeks at No. 1) | 2 |
| Wins |
4 (2nd) |
5 (1st) |
| Top-10 Finish % | 71%, 12-of-17 (1st) | 50%, 10-of-20 (T-4th) |
| Scoring Average |
69.239 (1st) |
70.039 (4th) |
| Official Money | $2,326,617 (1st) | $2,076,933 (2nd) |
| Rolex Player of the Year | 241 pts. (1st) | 236 pts. (2nd) |
| Race to the CME Globe | 4,104 pts. (1st) | 3,856 pts. (2nd) |
SPECIAL PLAY FOR THE SPONSOR
Manulife ambassadors Brittany Lang and Stacy Lewis have enjoyed a wealth of success historically at this tournament.
Lang, the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open champion, experienced her first career victory at the inaugural Manulife LPGA
Classic in 2012 and finished as the runner-up in the event’s first run at Whistle Bear last year.
“I played great the inaugural year with the win at Grey Silo, which I liked that course, and then I like this course, as well,” Lang said. “We’ve always had housing and nice friends to stay with. It’s a really comfortable week.”
Lewis is one of the game’s most consistent players having spent a Tour-leading 260 weeks inside the top-10 of the Rolex Rankings. She has three top-6 finishes in this event and hopes to turn things around after recording her only missed cut of the 2015 season on this course.
“I’m hoping the second year here we have a little bit better run, a little bit better luck on the golf course, just knowing it a little bit better, and it’s in way better shape this year as far as consistency and knowing what kind of bounce you’re going to get,” said Lewis. “I think it’s playing a little tougher being a little bit softer, so it’s playing longer, and then the rough is up, as well. I think scores shouldn’t be quite as low this year.”
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