Wegmans LPGA Thoughts

Suzann Petterson let the win slip away this weekend in the Wegmans Rochester LPGA at Locust Hill. Eun-Hee Ji put on a putting clinic on the back nine and was able catch Peterson and win by one. There have been several articles written about Locust Hill this week saying that the course is far too easy and they should consider redesigning several holes to make it play harder for the LPGA. The four-day scoring average at Wegmans was 72.62, a full shot lower than any of the three previous years. Every hole on the course was played 430 times this week, and at 17, there were only 30 bogeys and one double bogey. On the other hand, there were 153 birdies and eight eagles. No other hole on the course is close to such a disparity. Sunday seven of the top 10 finishers birdied it, and it cost one who didn't — former champion Jeong Jang, who tied for third. These stats give the impression that the course is far too easy, but most of the holes are played from the front tees and it had a total distance of around 6,250. The best part is that they played lift clean and place all week; not because the course was too wet but because there was the threat of heavy rain everyday. They were afraid that the course may become too wet and some players would have an advantage over others.
If the LPGA wanted make the course harder they could do it easily by having the players play form the men’s tees or even some holes form the back tees. They could also consider putting some of the pins in locations not in the middle of the green. The 13th hole is a 2 tier green that plays almost ¾ of a stroke harder with the pin on the top level and the LPGA played in the bottom for all of the rounds.
I am not taking anything away from these ladies, they are unbelievable golfers. The course should be set up to match their skill level not just to make them look good.