Inkster, Gulbis, Recari (almost) Finish off CME Titleholders Field

When the LPGA announced the change of format for their year-ending event one of the biggest questions was, who exactly would be qualifying at the end of the year. With limited field events closing out the 2011 LPGA schedule, it was an easy question to ask. With the end of the Mizuno Classic, we now also know the representatives for the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Of all the LPGA members in the field next week only Juli Inkster, Natalie Gulbis, and Beatriz Recari are the only ones not already qualified for the year ending event. The only way one of these three will not qualify for the event would be if one of the non-LPGA members (and sponsor exemptions) manage to win the event, and with the field being as elite as it is, I can't see any of that happening. Of the 9 alternate listed only Eun-Hee Ji (5), and Kristy McPhereson (9) are not qualified.

This is sweet vindication for Juli who had two top 10s earlier this year and missed out, when Grace Park qualified last week via her T24 finish in Korea. Interestingly enough Gulbis and Recari are both sponsor exemptions, and can thank them for two tournament exemptions.

Side note, unless I missed someone Momoko Ueda, Pornanong Phatlum, and Christina Kim all earned entry into the CME Titleholders from Mizuno.