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Home | Sports | Golf

Who are the Open contenders?

Ochoa and Sorenstam are automatics, but they have some colleagues with the talent and grit to hold the championship trophy, too.

By MARK CRAIG, Star Tribune

Last update: June 25, 2008 - 1:03 AM

1. LORENA OCHOA

World ranking: No. 1 • 2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: T-2nd

Why she'll win: She's won two of the past three majors (the most recent, the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April), 14 times over the past two years, finished tied for third in the LPGA Championship three weeks ago and, oh yeah, she's also the best female golfer on the planet.

2. ANNIKA SORENSTAM

World ranking: No. 2 • 2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: T-32nd

Why she'll win: In her farewell season, she has three victories, a tie for second at the year's first major (Kraft Nabisco Championship) and a tie for third in the second major (LPGA Championship). What better way to say goodbye than with a record-tying fourth Open victory?

3. PAULA CREAMER

World ranking: No. 4 • 2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: T-16th

Why she'll win: She has two victories and five top-10 finishes this season. She shot a final-round 3-under 69 to tie for 10th at the LPGA Championship. Her six career victories are tied for second among active players who have not won a major.

4. CRISTIE KERR

World ranking: No. 7

2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: 1

Why she'll win: She has the confidence of having won last year at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club. She also is comfortable with Interlachen, which, like Pine Needles, is a classic Donald Ross design. And she played for the U.S. team in the 2002 Solheim Cup at Interlachen.

5. MORGAN PRESSEL

World ranking: No. 13 • 2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: T-10th

Why she'll win: She has three top-10 finishes this year, including a tie for sixth at the LPGA Championship. She already has won a major. And perhaps coming so close to winning the U.S. Women's Open in 2005 and 2007 will help her break through this week.

6. SUZANN PETTERSEN

World ranking: No. 3

2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: Missed the cut

Why she'll win: She has three top-10 finishes this year, including a tie for second at the Kraft Nabisco. She also has confidence at Interlachen, having come back from five down with five holes to play to salvage a half point in her 2002 Solheim Cup singles match against Michele Redman.

7. SE RI PAK

World ranking: No. 20

2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: T-4th

Why she'll win: It has been 10 years since Pak won the U.S. Women's Open. But she seems to always be lurking near the top. In the nine appearances since she won, she has finished in the top five four times. She has two top-10 finishes this year, including a tie for ninth at the Kraft Nabisco.

8. YANI TSENG

World ranking: No. 6

2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: Did not play

Why she'll win: If the 19-year-old rookie can come from four back after three rounds, leap over Ochoa and Sorenstam, and beat European Solheim Cup veteran Maria Hjorth in a playoff to win the LPGA Championship, who's to say she can't withstand the pressure of a U.S. Women's Open?

9. MI HYUN KIM

World ranking: No. 17

2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: T-8th

Why she'll win: Her eight career victories are the most among active players without a major title. She is getting closer to winning a major, having finished tied for sixth at the Kraft Nabisco and tied for 10th at the LPGA Championship this year.

10. MICHELLE WIE

World ranking: No. 187

2007 U.S. Women's Open finish: Withdrew, citing a wrist injury on her 28th hole

Why she'll win: A recurring wrist injury, horrendous results and a lack of confidence in 2007 has made Wie an easy target. But she showed in the Rockville, Md., sectional (4-under 137) that her career could be on the upswing again. If it is, look out. She is as talented as anybody in the field.

x-All world rankings above are for the week of June 23; comments are based on results before last week's Wegmans LPGA event. MARK CRAIG