(5 May 2009 – Kingsmill, Virginia)
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With the retirement of Annika Sorenstam, there will be no defending champion at this week&aposs Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill. However, there will be a top-class field vying for the US$330,000.00 winner&aposs cheque come Sunday afternoon.
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rnIn one of the best fields of the year, nine of the Top-10 players on the Rolex Rankings will be playing and 17 of the Top-20; including Australian’s Karrie Webb (No.9) and Katherine Hull (No.10). Added to that are the four previous champions (before Sorenstam); Suzann Pettersen (2007), Webb (2006), Cristie Kerr (2005) and Se Ri Pak (2004) who will all be looking for their second dousing of Michelob ULTRA on the 18th green on Sunday.
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rnPaula Creamer (No.4) will be the only player from the Rolex Top-10 missing as she will be playing in the LPGA of Japan’s first ‘major.’ However, World No.1 Lorena Ochoa will be looking for back-to-back victories after her last-start win at the Corona Championship. Hot on her heels will be Yani Tseng (No.2), Jiyai Shin (No.3) and Pettersen (No.5).
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rnThe ALPG Member’s joining Webb and Hull will be Wendy Doolan, Michelle Ellis, Rachel Hetherington, Sarah Kemp, Sarah-Jane Smith and Lindsey Wright.