LPGA SBS Open - Hawaii dreaming

Ah, to be in Hawaii with the tradewinds blowing, the smell of the ocean and the ability to play in a professional golf tournament! This week, while the LPGA makes its official debut at the Turtle Bay Resort, I will be dreaming of a vacation in Oahu as I try to stop my teeth from chattering in sub-temperate New York.

With only three days of play, the ladies begin to wonder if their games are up to snuff, what they need to work on in the coming weeks to improve their chances and if they can be this season’s Player of the Year.

Here are some questions that I have been pondering:

Will Lorena Ochoa be in the same fine form as in 2006?

Will Julieta Granada show she’s a better “sophomore” than rookie? In her rookie season, Granada won $1 million in one match-play event…hard to beat on the LPGA Tour.

Can people stop looking at Natalie Gulbis solely as a calendar girl this season? Perhaps if she finally wins a tournament.

Will Paula Creamer return for her junior season fiery of heart or will her putter let her down? I really think Creamer has greatness within her and is a good short game player.

Can Karrie Webb win every tournament she enters this year? Hmmm…possibly!

Which rookie will stand-out from among the crowd of Q-School debutantes? I’m rooting for Meaghan Francella, a Westchester native (of course).

And finally, the burning question: When Annika Sorenstam finally debuts in a few weeks, will she be as competitive as in previous years?

The Golf Channel is televising the LPGA 2007 SBS Open and its only true opposition, for me, is “Ugly Betty” but it can be tivo’d. I’m planning to flip between the two shows but I’m sure glad that the LPGA wasn’t opposite “Beauty and the Geek” or “Heroes” because my decision would be much more difficult being in the dark ages with only a VCR as my recording device.

Check out the Golf Channel’s coverage (if you can), February 15-17, 6:30 pm to 9 pm EST (or check your local listings) and get in tune with your feminine side.