Things will be interesting in the upper echelon of LPGA in 2008. Most of the top 20 players on Tour are under 30 years old. This unprecedented youth movement is translating into a higher profile, and golf’s marketers have figured the increased buzz could translate into merchandise dollars. While they do not compare to the walking billboards of the PGA Tour, never before have so many members of the LPGA been on the favorable end of sponsorship. Just a handful of years ago, only a few at the very top enjoyed such arrangements.

There are many compelling storylines for the new golf season: Can the seemingly angelic Lorena Ochoa continue her fantastic play? Will Suzann Pettersen maintain the sublime level of play in her blazing finish of 2007 that vaulted her to World No. 2 and challenge Ochoa for the top spot? Is Annika Sorenstam going to rebound from injury and the disappointing results of a year ago? Are any of the youngsters such as Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel going to win more to get into the discussion for World’s best? Are any of the great veterans such as Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak finally on the way out? This week in Hawaii we’ll see the first chapter of what promises to be an interesting story.

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