It is safe to say Maria Fassi feels comfortable in Arkansas. After spending four years at the University of Arkansas and earning her BA in Sports Management, the second-year Tour player left school as one of the most decorated Razorback golfers of all time with a long list of accolades among which the NCAA Individual 2019 National Champion. While Razorback fans won’t be at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G this week, Fassi is still happy to return to the state where it holds so many memories.
“I love it here,” Fassi said Wednesday after a morning practice round. “It’s a great city. It is a great golf course. The community is great. Obviously this year is a bit different. It’s weird not to see the 17 grandstands and all, but I’m always super excited to be here. I love Arkansas and am really excited for this week. “
In three starts at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, two of those as an amateur, Fassi has yet to make the cut. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Fassi admitted having had its difficulties at the Pinnacle Country Club. The long Fassi is considering the possibility of pulling its driver out of the bag this week, a rarity for the player who finishes second on the Tour. in average driving distance (287,625 yards average), but hopes that a new strategy and perspective will produce different results.
“Yes, this is a difficult path for me. I’ve never played well here, so I’m excited for the challenge. I could do something different this week with my bag. I usually have 16, 17 clubs and I just decide what stays and what goes. We are considering leaving the driver out of the bag this week which is obviously very rare for me. But I don’t think this is a route that I can overwhelm or really take advantage of my driver. So we’re still looking into this. But it might be something new for me. But I think I just have to take the course differently and see how it works for me. But I’d say he’s in great shape, as always, and I’m obviously excited about the challenge. “
Fassi will start its first round on Friday with the first tee at 13:43 CDT together with Gerina Piller and Andrea Lee.
LPGA TOUR THE TRADITION IN ARKANSAS CONTINUES
The LPGA tour returns to Pinnacle Country Club this week for the 14th game of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. After a 166-day hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this week’s event marks the fifth consecutive week that LPGA Tour players have come up with and the second 54-hole tournament of the 2020 season. The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship boasts an impressive roster of past champions, including eight players who have held the top spot in the world in Jiyai Shin (2009), Yani Tseng (2010, 2011), Ai Miyazato (2012), Inbee Park (2013), Stacy Lewis (2014), Lydia Ko (2016), So Yeon Ryu (2017) and Sung Hyun Park (2019). Seven of the top 10 players in the Rolex rankings lead this week, including the two-time winner of the Rolex Rankings No. 2 in 2020 Danielle Kang.
In 2019, Sung Hyun Park took his seventh career win after shooting a 5-under 66 to win with one shot out of three players.Danielle Kang, Hyo Joo Kim is Inbee Park. Reigning champion Sung Hyun Park has decided not to travel from her home in the Republic of Korea and will not defend her title.
DEFENSE CHAMPION SUNG HYUN PARK SENDS HIS BEST WISHES FROM HOME
Among the recent increases in the number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea, reigning champion Sung Hyun Park continues to self-quarantine by supporting other LPGA Tour players from afar.
“As the unexpected COVID-19 has turned into a protracted pandemic, it is certainly regrettable not to be able to watch the games and show my support by participating. I feel that way especially regarding the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship that I won last year. “Park said via email. “As an athlete, however, I was grateful to hear the news of people’s plans to continue the event despite the many obstacles that could arise.”
Currently nested in the Rolex ranking no. 3, Park hopes to return to the LPGA Tour events soon and specifically the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G next year.
“While I can’t participate in this year’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, I hope the event is as successful as ever and I’m looking forward to returning in 2021.”
