International Crown golfers weather strange summer conditions
The LPGA's UL International Crown golfers got a taste of Chicago's temperamental weather in opening-round action of four-ball play at the Merit Club in Libertyville on Thursday.
While an excessive heat warning was in effect, as the temperature hovered around 90 degrees, storm clouds loomed. Lightning and rain stayed away, but a drastic temperature drop took place around noon and a strong wind kicked up.
Play was never interrupted.
"I felt like we just walked into the (air-conditioned) clubhouse," said Chinese Taipei's Yani Tseng, who was on the 15th hole along with playing partner Teresa Lu and Australia's Karrie Webb and Su Oh. "It was like freezing in one second."
USA's Cristie Kerr agreed.
"It was weird," Kerr said. "Donna, our representative, said that we barely skirted a lightning storm. When (teammate) Lexi (Thompson) was about to hit, I almost had to stop her because there was a trash can flying about 50-60 yards behind her. It looked like it was going to get to her, and it dropped."
Namath-esque:
A reporter asked Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn if it was true that she had predicted that she and her team would win. After a slight delay, Jutanugarn looked at her three teammates in the press room and leaned her head forward to speak into the mic.
"Yes," she said, smiling.
She was then asked if she's ever heard of Joe Namath.
"No," the 20-year-old said.
Jutanugarn and Porani Chutichai halved their match against Japan's Ai Suzuki and Ayaka Watanabe.
So simple, Ssu-Chia:
After she and teammate Candie Kung won 2 up over Australia's Minjee Lee and Rebecca Artis, Chinese Taipei's Ssu-Chia Cheng was asked about her team's strategy going into the match.
"Well, we don't have a strategy," the 18-year-old said. "No strategy is our strength."
Quipped the Golf Channel's Judy Rankin: "I'm writing that one down."
Friday tee times:
Four-ball matches on Friday start at 8 a.m. Team USA's Gerina Piller/Stacy Lewis tee off against Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn/Pornanong Phatlum at 9 a.m., and Cristie Kerr/Lexi Thompson follow against Porani Chutichai/Ariya Jutanugarn at 9:15 a.m.