Na Yeon Choi

The U.S. Women's Open has the makings of a thrilling drama — even if an LPGA Tour hierarchy controversy keeps intruding. Two of the biggest names in women's golf are just off the lead; a record-setting 14-year-old amateur is just strokes behind; a qualifier from the LPGA's developmental tour is in the mix; and the first-round leader is feeling awfully comfortable on a tough course that yields few birdies and fewer under-par rounds. And that's after Thursday's opening round at Saucon Valley Country Club. Na Yeon Choi of South Korea birdied her first three holes, and four of her first five, racing to an ... Read Full Story

Na Yeon Choi of South Korea surrendered a seven-shot lead but steadied to post a one-under 71 that gave her a one-shot victory in the LPGA Samsung World Championship on Sunday. Choi claimed her first LPGA Tour title with a 16-under total of 272. Japan's Ai Miyazato carded a 69, lowest round of the day, to finish second on 273. South Korea's Jiyai Shin was third on 277. Choi started the round with a two-shot lead. Two birdies in her first four holes were followed by an eagle at six - where she sank a 10-footer - as she stretched her lead to seven ... Read Full Story

Song-Hee Kim carded a three-under par 68 to take a two-shot lead over Angela Stanford going into the final round of the 1.8 million-dollar LPGA event at Pinnacle Country Club. South Korea's Kim had a nine-under total of 133 after two rounds of the 54-hole event, while Stanford's 69 put her at 135. Taiwan's Yani Tseng posted her second straight 68 to lead a trio on 136, which also included Na Yeon Choi (65) and Sun Young Yoo (67) of South Korea. Kim survived some erratic work off the tee, hitting only six of 13 fairways. But the 21-year-old still managed to put herself ... Read Full Story

Samsung has dropped out as a sponsor for the LPGA's World Championship after 14 years as the tournament's title sponsor, the tour announced. One day after State Farm renewed its support of the State Farm Classic for two more years, the LPGA was hit by the loss of the title backer for an event that was staged last month at Torrey Pines near San Diego. South Korean Na Yeon Choi edged Japan's Ai Miyazato to claim this year's Samsung crown. Several sponsors have pulled out of LPGA events this year, leaving tour officials to say that about 20 events are set for next year's ... Read Full Story

South Korea's Na Yeon Choi fired a career-best nine-under par 63 Saturday to seize a two-shot lead in the one million-dollar LPGA Samsung World Championship. Choi had a 15-under total of 201 for three rounds. Overnight leader Jiyai Shin of South Korea carded a 68 to lie second on 203. Japan's Ai Miyazato carded her third straight 68 and was alone in third on 204. Choi was six-under on the front nine, with four birdies in five holes from the second as well as birdies at eight and nine. She nabbed four more birdies and her lone bogey of the day, at the 15th, ... Read Full Story