USA Today LPGA Article 2/15/2009

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original link: 'Down year' has an upside as LPGA season begins - USATODAY.com



'Down year' has an upside as LPGA season begins

By Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY

Natalie Gulbis could find a silver lining in a quadruple-bogey, so it comes as no surprise that she's positively giddy about the LPGA tour's slimmed-down 2010 schedule, which has 25 tournaments, nine fewer than in 2008 and two less than last year.

"When the schedule was released, it was a relief," Gulbis said. "There was a time last year where every single week we were hearing rumors that another sponsor was dropping out. It wasn't looking good. There was fear.

"I'd like to see more domestic tournaments, more tournaments in March and April. We have a lot of weeks off, but that means we have available spots for the future. It could be a lot worse."

Gulbis is right — it could be 2009, when a player revolt stemming from a plethora of fleeing sponsors and tournaments led to the resignation of Commissioner Carolyn Bivens. At one time, only 13 locked-up events were on this year's schedule. But interim commissioner Marty Evans and new Commissioner Michael Whan, who has sold everything from toothpaste to hockey pads, put on their marketing shoes and salvaged the season, which begins Thursday at the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand. In a two-week stretch earlier this year, three new sponsors and two tournaments came on board.

Still, the LPGA's 60th season is not without concerns. Between the season opener and the State Farm Classic in June, there are nine dark weeks. Of the 25 events, only nine are full-field, non-major domestic events, which leaves limited opportunity for players outside of the top 60. And most players will look to add events on tours in Europe and Japan.

"But there isn't any reason for us to sit and complain," Suzann Pettersen said. "So much good stuff has been done in the last five months.

"We have to get through this year, and there will be a lot of good years ahead."

Pettersen also finds a silver lining in the schedule.

With 25 events, most of the game's best players will play in almost every tournament.

For a tour that is searching for a replacement for retired Annika Sorenstam, regular meetings of the game's best could fuel attention. With a depth of talent that includes Pettersen, reigning four-time player of the year and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Jiyai Shin, Angela Stanford, Yani Tseng, Anna Nordqvist, Ai Miyazato and Michelle Wie, interest-inducing rivalries could occur.

"Each and every tournament is going to get a run for their money," Pettersen said. "In the past, some of best players have skipped some events. Now, a lot of the best players will be teeing it up every tournament. That's great as a player; that's great for the fans."

That's how Stanford sees it.

"If this is our down year, at least we can show people that the best players — all of them — will be playing nearly everything," she said.

"As a player, you want to beat the best, and that's what you are going to have to do this year. There are a lot of positives we can generate this year.

"I can't see the tour not getting better. It will be hard not to want to be with the LPGA. If this is the worst it's ever going to be, we're going to be fine."