LPGA Notes: Bader's birdies have special meaning

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: May 09, 2009

SLIDESHOW:

Michelob Ultra action - Friday

MORE:

• Ochoa leads at halfway point

• WOODY: Rankin will settle for success

• LPGA Notes: Bader's birdies have special meaning

• Michelob Ultra Open scoreboard

• Michelob Ultra Open Saturday tee times

EXTRAS

• Michelob Ultra Open (official site)

• Golf at Kingsmill Resort

Bader's birdies have special meaning

Every time Beth Bader plays a hole, money is at stake. It has nothing to do with winning the tournament or where Bader finishes in the standings.

Every birdie or eagle by Bader means she contributes $5 to research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Bader's mother, Susan, was a victim of pancreatic cancer.

"Birdies for a Breakthrough," Bader said.

As she goes through her rounds this weekend, Bader will do so with a heart that is a bit heavier than usual.

"Weeks like this, you think about her, with Mother's Day coming up," Bader said. "It never gets easier."

Bader estimated she had just under 200 birdies last year. She holds two golf tournaments as fundraisers for the Susan L. Bader Foundation of Hope. Those have raised more than $200,000 for pancreatic cancer research.

Clothes make the man, but they don't make cut

Thomas Frank was the caddy for Jennifer Rosales, and while Rosales had a less than sparkling two days -- she shot 147, 5-over par, and did not make the cut -- Frank's attire was sparkling.

He wore a light blue, long-sleeved oxford cloth shirt with a bright, patterned tie. He was not just the only caddy on the course wearing a tie; he was practically the only person on the grounds wearing a tie.

"I used to work at the Hills Country Club in Austin [Texas]," Frank said. "We had to dress like this all the time. I know it's unusual for around here, but it's normal for me."

Wigger learning how to relax

Former University of Virginia and Duramed Futures Tour standout Leah Wigger said she has learned a lot during her first season of LPGA competition. Specifically, she has learned the value of relaxation.

"I've tried to keep it in mind the last couple of tournaments, but it hasn't clicked," Wigger said. "This week, for whatever reason, it seems to be clicking."

Wigger, the only player on tour who attended a Virginia school, shot 1-under 70 yesterday to move to even-par for the tournament.

"I'm trying to take more of a laid-back approach," she said. "I'm trying to treat it as just another round of golf. I keep telling myself that I can do this; that I belong here; that I deserve to be here."

Wigger occupies the 106th spot on the money list ($10,413 in four starts).

Shin makes it sing in the studio, too

Heralded South Korean rookie Jiyai Shin can do more -- much more, apparently -- than knock a 5-iron into the shadow of the flagstick. She is also a recording artist of note in her native country. Shin's release of "Don't Say Goodbye" has attained hit status on South Korea's pop music charts -- so much so that an English release is now planned.

Shin, who won last year's British Open before joining the tour and captured the HSBC Women's Champions tournament earlier this season, sits in second place on the LPGA's 2009 money list with $470,895 through six starts. She shot 68 yesterday and completed 36 holes at 4 under.

Sharp delivers event's fifth ace

Alena Sharp, a 28-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, manufactured the fifth hole-in-one in Michelob Ultra Open history yesterday. She holed her tee shot at the 174-yard No. 2 hole with a 6-iron.

The hole-in-one was Sharp's second in as many tournaments. She delivered a second-round ace with a pitching wedge at the Corona Classic in Morelia, Mexico.

Sharp shot 69 yesterday and is even-par at the tournament's midpoint.

The tournament's other aces have occurred at No. 13 (Juli Inkster and Sherri Turner in 2007, Natalie Gulbis in 2006) and No. 17 (Paula Marti in 2004). -- Paul Woody and Vic Dorr Jr.