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Diahuebs 10 september 2020

Mission Hills familiar place in an familiar spot on schedule

(AP) — From the back- she was going to win.
drop of the Santa Rosa
Mountains to the top of “There was a whole jumping
50-foot palms waving gen- in the Poppie’s Pond thing
tly in the wind, Mission during that event, and I end-
Hills looks like it does ev- ed up three-putting and lost
ery spring when it hosts in a playoff,” she said. “They
the best women in the wanted to actually throw me
world for the first major in the lake regardless. And
of the LPGA Tour season. I said, ‘No, maybe that op-
Except this is September. portunity will come one day.’
That’s something I remem-
A slight break in the heat ber about this place.” Given
means it will be only in the the heat, a chance to take a
low 100s for the ANA In- splash might be more moti-
spiration, enough for the vating than ever.
LPGA to take the extraordi-
nary precaution of allowing The road to Rancho Mirage
caddies to ride in carts. The also is different. Instead of
first major was last month at going from Phoenix to San
Royal Troon for the Wom- Diego to the first major of
en’s British Open. And the the year, the women were
best in the world? Not all in Scotland for two weeks,
of them are here. That starts straight to Arkansas and then
with Jin Young Ko, the de- a week off before the ANA
fending champion and No. 1 Inspiration. This marks a
player in women’s golf. She start for Sung Hyun Park,
headed home to South Korea who ended last year at No.
when the COVID-19 pan- 2 before going home to let
demic brought a halt to golf an injury to her left shoul-
in March, and she has stayed der heal. Park, like Ko, also
there. Ko is among seven Even without spectators, be- fairways are lush enough to with Sophia Popov of Ger- missed the Women’s British
players from the top 20 in the ing at Mission Hills brings keep slightly errant shots many winning at 7 under. Open.
world — six from South Ko- some degree of normalcy, from running into the rough. She is not in the field because
rea, one from Japan — who at least until they get on the And the rough off the fairway the ANA Inspiration was This is her first LPGA event
didn’t come over. course. is far more difficult. supposed to be played in ear- since November, and only
ly April and the field was set, her second event this year —
Ko, who has played three Without grandstands, espe- “You’re going to see a lot of similar to the circumstances she played once on the Ko-
times on the Korean LPGA cially the ones framing what players be 2 and 3 feet from of the Masters in men’s golf. rean LPGA. Expectations are
this year, likely won’t see an effectively is an island for the their ball and looking for it, not high.
LPGA event his year. “It’s a 18th green, the sight lines are versus April you can kind The ANA Inspiration pres-
little strange, but with COV- different. The biggest change of get some lies that it sits ents an opportunity for Nelly “I think I’m more nervous
ID, everything is strange this is the Bermuda grass in the up and you can get it out of Korda, who reached No. 2 than excited to be back,” Park
year, right?” Stacy Lewis said summer, punishing in the there,” she said. “But there’s in the world after last year, said. “It’s been a while since
Wednesday. “The way the rough and lush on the fair- places here if you hit it in to pick up her first major. I’ve been in a competitive
fields are set, the time of the ways that limit some of the the rough you’re going to Danielle Kang, who won in environment, and I’ve got
year that we’re playing, who roll on tee shots. be chipping out and trying back-to-back weeks when to keep that in mind playing
is here and who is not here. I to get up-and-down for par. the LPGA Tour resumed af- while the four rounds this
mean, if I lived in Korea and Lewis has seen this before But again, that’s what a major ter a five-month shutdown, week. ... I just hope to kind of
I could go play every single in entirely different circum- should be.” is now No. 2 and looking for get some momentum. There
week and not have to travel, I stances. She played Q-school her second major Kang has aren’t that many tournaments
wouldn’t come over her and here more than a decade ago Only four players finished experience on Mission Hills this year, but I do hope to win
play, either.” and realizes adjustments are under par in the first major that dates to her junior days, at some point and finish the
required for chipping. The last month at Royal Troon, including one she thought year on a high. q

Perez to leave Racing Point, opening door for Vettel

(AP) — Formula One for the four-time F1 cham- times. We managed to over-
driver Sergio Perez an- pion. come obstacles and I am
nounced Wednesday he is Vettel is leaving Ferrari at very proud of saving the jobs
leaving the Racing Point the end of this season but of several of my teammates,"
team after this season, has yet to sign with a new Perez said. “I will always be
opening the door for Se- team. grateful for the opportu-
bastian Vettel to replace Racing Point's other driver nity given to me by (former
him. is Lance Stroll, the son of owner) Vijay Mallya, who
co-owner Lawrence Stroll, believed in me in 2014 and
Perez posted a statement who is keeping his seat for allowed me to continue my
on social media saying that next season.Perez, 30, played F1 career with Force India."
"after seven years together, a key role in helping Racing Vettel will be replaced by
my time with the team will Point, previously known as McLaren’s Carlos Sainz at
come to an end after the sea- Force India, from going out Ferrari next year.
son.” of business in 2018. Perez said he will look for a
new team, with Alfa Romeo
Vettel had already been ing Point, which will be re- next season, and Perez's de- “It hurts a bit as I bet on and Haas seen as possible
linked with a move to Rac- branded as as Aston Martin parture could pave the way the team during very rough options.q