Golf Roundup: Lewis #1; Speith Exempt; Streelman Finally Wins

Some fairly significant results from last weekend’s tournaments:

First, Stacey Lewis has move to world #1 with a come-from-behind win at the LPGA Founders Cup. She shot an 8-under 64, topping Ai Miyazato by three. I was watching Morning Drive early Sunday and the consensus of the talking heads was that Miyazato had the win in the bag with a four shot lead. Lewis proved them wrong.

Lewis win take some of the heat off her caddie, who, it was ruled, had tested the sand in a bunker. That cost Lewis 2 shots on Saturday.

I met Lewis at the Jamie Farr last summer and was impressed with her demeanor. Given her medical history of scoliosis and the pins in her back, it’s amazing to me that she’s playing—let alone being the best female golfer in the world.

Nearly as amazing as Lewis’ rise is that 19-year-old Jordan Speith now has a partial exemption on the PGA Tour. With it, he can play in as many tournaments as he can secure with sponsors exemptions. Before is t7 finish last weekend at the Tampa Bay Championship, he was limited to seven starts.

Speith began the year without status on either the PGA or Web.Com tours. Taking home $148,893 at Tampa Bay, he has now earned $521,893 this year. That would put him at 150 on the 2012 money list. If he reaches $750,000 he will earn his card outright.

An amazing story, and given the buzz he generates, I imagine that there will be plenty of sponsors offering him chances. There’s no reason he couldn’t get into the top 120.

Finally, congratulations to Kevin Streelman, who won his first PGA tour event in his 153rd start. Streelman is a testament to the value of sticking it out.

 

4 thoughts on “Golf Roundup: Lewis #1; Speith Exempt; Streelman Finally Wins”

  1. I’m pleased for Stacey Lewis as she’s been playing really well for a while now and deserves her place on the top of the rankings.

    Congratulations to Kevin Streelman on his first victory. The trend of first time winners just keeps on happening on the US PGA tour. I think it’s a great thing for golf!

    Reply
  2. @The Original Golf Blogger, yes I like to see a golfer who has paid his dues and stuck with it for so long. I really admire their persistence and strength to keep pushing at it over the years.

    Reply
  3. Congratulation to Streelman. I read where just a few years back he was working in Phoenix cleaning clubs and caddying at a Country Club to make ends meet.  I ‘m glad he was rewarded for this hard work and persistence.

    It’s nice to see someone with a dream and through hard work finally make it these days.

    Reply

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