06-01-2019, 03:37 PM
My doubts/concerns about Lee
are prompted by her decline this spring,
and her relative decline from her freshman year.
Her freshman year, she was 13 under par
for her 29 rounds, with 10 rounds in the 60's.
Last year, she was 22 under for 31 rounds,
with 14 rounds in the 60's.
But this year, she was 13 over par,
with only three of her 25 rounds rounds in the 60s--
and only one of those rounds after the season's first event last fall.
Off that form, she couldn't win a tour card
even if she opted to go pro.
Making the cut in the US Open isn't necessarily a sign of readiness;
seven amateurs did it last year,
three of them just finishing their senior year in high school,
and Lucy Li was coming off her sophomore year.
Albane Valenzuela not only made the cut, but ended up in 24th.
Patty Tavatanakit of UCLA did her far better, finishing fifth,
but opted to come back, too.
as did two amateurs (Jeniffer Kupcho at Wake and Maria Fassi and Arkansas)
who earned their tour cards; and both had excellent years this year.
The only amateur to make last year's Open cut and go pro with eligibility remaining
was Alabama's Kristen Gillman, who announced that decision before the event.
So the tendency among the better women players is to return.
Given that, and Lee's worrisome spring and current form.
it seems the odds of her coming back are good.
are prompted by her decline this spring,
and her relative decline from her freshman year.
Her freshman year, she was 13 under par
for her 29 rounds, with 10 rounds in the 60's.
Last year, she was 22 under for 31 rounds,
with 14 rounds in the 60's.
But this year, she was 13 over par,
with only three of her 25 rounds rounds in the 60s--
and only one of those rounds after the season's first event last fall.
Off that form, she couldn't win a tour card
even if she opted to go pro.
Making the cut in the US Open isn't necessarily a sign of readiness;
seven amateurs did it last year,
three of them just finishing their senior year in high school,
and Lucy Li was coming off her sophomore year.
Albane Valenzuela not only made the cut, but ended up in 24th.
Patty Tavatanakit of UCLA did her far better, finishing fifth,
but opted to come back, too.
as did two amateurs (Jeniffer Kupcho at Wake and Maria Fassi and Arkansas)
who earned their tour cards; and both had excellent years this year.
The only amateur to make last year's Open cut and go pro with eligibility remaining
was Alabama's Kristen Gillman, who announced that decision before the event.
So the tendency among the better women players is to return.
Given that, and Lee's worrisome spring and current form.
it seems the odds of her coming back are good.
