A red, white and blue rookie race

DUBLIN, Ohio -- Even though Annika Sorenstam has made the Player of the Year and prize money races a real yawner, there is still one interesting chase left on the LPGA Tour. The most compelling story to unfold during the last month of the season will be the all-American battle for Rookie of the Year honors. The showdown between a pair of blonde, blue-eyed youngsters is the stuff that afternoon-TV specials are made of.

THE SHAG BAG Should golf use instant replay? That question was answered Sunday during the Wendy's Championship for Children when Mi Hyun Kim's shot on the 17th hole's island green splashed into the water. Television video came into play because it wasn't clear whether Kim's ball had crossed the hazard. After watching the replay three times, well within the two-minute NFL requirement, tour official Doug Brecht ruled that the ball had not, so Kim had to go back to the tee instead of using the more convenient ball-drop area. With her lead reduced to one, Kim was visibly nervous when she saw that her second attempt wasn't perfect. "I hit it skinny. I thought that ball is short. I say, 'Go,'" said Kim, who held on for her fifth career title. ... Hee-Won Han was runner-up for the second straight week and appears on the verge of a breakout victory, which makes her skipping the Weetabix Women's British Open this week a little puzzling. ... With her third-place finish, Danielle Ammacapane can lay claim to being the most consistent American golfer this year. She stands 15th on the Solheim Cup points list, making captain Patty Sheehan's two wild-card choices even tougher. In my opinion, No. 14 Meg Mallon and No. 12 Pat Hurst are the leading contenders for selection. ... Many players seemed a little jealous of Michelle Wie, who Monday-qualified for the second time this year. No, not because the 12 year old has a powerful, picture-perfect swing -- because she could still enjoy the twisting, 20-foot slide at the clubhouse pool, which she did after missing the cut Saturday afternoon. ... Amateur Virada Nirapathpongporn, the reigning NCAA champion from Duke, made her first LPGA cut and finished T28. ... Michele Vinieratos celebrated her 34th birthday on Friday in style, firing an opening-round 67. ... The crosstown venue change from New Albany Country Club in Columbus to Tartan Fields in suburban Dublin noticeably improved attendance.

With Natalie Gulbis and Beth Bauer knocking heads -- they are separated by a mere 26 points -- the Korean reign is finally coming to an end. Over the past decade the American women's golf scene has gone on an enormous slide. Sure, Cristie Kerr, Laura Diaz and Kelli Kuehne have given us reason to smile, but the emergence of first the Swedes, then the Australians and now the Koreans has made the U.S. of A. the third-best producer of women golfers.

Thanks to these two, the home of baseball and apple pie now has a fighting chance.

For years fans have clamored for the next Nancy Lopez. While Gulbis hasn't had the same amount of success on the course, she does have the charisma and personality to wear Lopez's crown. Her smile, her hip outfits and her bubbly persona are infectious. From teenage boys, who drool over her as if she's Britney Spears, to grandmothers, who adore her innocence, Gulbis has a fan base larger than most seasoned veterans'. And while it's only natural for a 19 year old with a boatload of talent to be a little cocky, she doesn't have too many enemies in the locker room, either.

"She is just a sweet girl," said Juli Inkster, who is old enough to be Gulbis' mother. "It's great to see someone come in and show the utmost respect for the veterans. She is a great asset to this tour."

Gulbis also has a golf game to match her personality. She has recorded four top-10 finishes this year and is ranked No. 10 for the 2003 Solheim Cup team. Her unorthodox swing may not look pretty, but she repeats it consistently and gets good results.

"She is an impressive ballstriker who is confident and plays aggressive," said Kerr.

If Gulbis is the next Lopez, then we could say that Bauer is the next Betsy King. A little more quiet and reserved than her counterpart, the former Duke standout lets her clubs, especially her putter, do the talking. Bauer's father, John, was a club pro, but she had to grow up quickly after he passed away when she was just 14. Now, at age 22, she still considers her dad her "golf idol," and she's putting together a season that would make him proud. She leads Gulbis on the money list, thanks in part to her second-place finish at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic.

With a cool head and warm personality, Bauer could also be a poster child for Ty Votaw's fan-friendly marketing drive. After a disappointing finish at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, in which she bogeyed the final two holes, Bauer still answered every question the media threw at her.

Reporters wonder if there is a rivalry between Gulbis and Bauer, but Bauer quickly dismisses those notions.

"Sure, I would like the win Rookie of the Year, but I think it would be great if Natalie won, too," Bauer said. "We are best of friends, play practice rounds and go out to the mall together. She was the first to call and congratulate me on my second-place finish, so there is no rivalry."

Gulbis shares Bauer's sentiments and is excited about their ongoing battle.

"By no means do I think I have this thing wrapped up, but I think it's great to have a few Americans up there for the fans," Gulbis said.

As long as either Gulbis or Bauer wins the honor, there will be no losers and only one big winner: the LPGA tour.

Tom Hanson, a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated's Golf Plus section, is a longtime caddie on the LPGA Tour. Click here to send him a question or comment.

 

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