Top 12 Super Sophs, August 2009 Edition

In addition to all the annual money list races in play at the Canadian Women's Open this week, there are career races within LPGA rookie classes and generations going on, as well. It's been awhile since I ranked the LPGA's Super Sophs, the rookie class of 2008. Let's see how they stack up as they begin competing for one of the largest purses of the season. (To find out more about the other 18 Super Sophs and to see my work, head on over to Mostly Harmless.)

Simply the Best

1. Ya Ni Tseng. Win #2 finally came for her, but also coming are her generation's and rookie class's #2s, Seon Hwa Lee and Na Yeon Choi. No time like the CWO, where she's played great, to snap out of her mini-funk.
2. Na Yeon Choi. She still has not missed an LPGA cut in her career and she's been improving in her key performance stats. But she still lost ground to Tseng in 2 key categories--wins and winnings. If she's going to join the Million Dollar Club for the 2nd time in as many seasons, it's time for her to reverse that last trend.

The Contenders
3. Hee Young Park. The Rocket has begun to show some steadiness and tenacity. Look for her to break the $1M barrier in career winnings soon.
4. Momoko Ueda. I can't imagine anyone on tour who's been working harder on her game than Momo-chan, but accidents and health issues have prevented her from building on her wins on the JLPGA last season and just a few weeks ago. I can't wait to see her start playing to her potential in the States.
5. Amy Yang. Ditto for Yang, who I picked to finish #10 on tour at the end of the season. She contended on the LET during the LPGA's mid-summer vacation, but got beat by Karen Stupples, so you know she has the game and motivation to finally break through on the LPGA.

Quantum Leap Candidates
6. Shanshan Feng. Struggling mightily this season, she's still comfortably in the top 80 on the money list, but she's got to start making cuts more regularly to avoid Q-School.
7. Sandra Gal. Another player from whom I'm looking for a breakthrough, even though her stats are down from last year.
8. Eunjung Yi. Got her breakthrough win, and it was only the 2nd top 20 of her career. But I just can't believe she's for real just yet.
9. Louise Friberg. She's in a real tailspin right now, but her win last season gives her time to pull out of it and play like she's capable of again.
10. Jimin Jeong. I thought she'd be rocking the Futures Tour this season, but instead she's played well enough on the LPGA to have a shot at the top 80. It would help if she'd hit more greens.
11. Sarah Kemp. Ditto.
12. Anna Grzebien. Her buddy, Paige Mackenzie, had her breakthrough top 10 recently; I'd say it's Grzebien's turn now. It all starts with hitting more greens.