Wednesday, Jul. 08, 2009

McPherson opens up about commish, season's third major

Conway native Kristy McPherson wasn't at a dinner of LPGA Tour heavyweights last week that resulted in a letter calling for tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens' resignation, but she agrees with the message.

``I just want to play golf next year,'' McPher son said Wednesday. ``I want to make sure we have tournaments, and if that means we have somebody else lead us then that's what I want. If she can't get it done and can't get us back tournaments we've had for years, then some one else needs to.''

As McPherson tees off today in her second U.S. Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., the fate of the tour's commissioner apparently hangs in the balance. Though McPherson said most of the tour's players were caught off- guard by the letter and she learned of it through media reports, she believes most players support it.

``I'm in favor of her stepping down, as the majority is,'' McPherson said. ``I think every body wants the best for the tour and to keep the sponsors happy. I think she's just maybe not going about it the right way.''

At the root of player concerns is a diminishing schedule and uncertainty surrounding several events that have been mainstays on the tour.

The LPGA has lost seven tournaments since 2007, including three staged in Hawaii. At least six more events are sponsorless, includ ing this year's China LPGA and one of the tour's majors in 2010, the LPGA Championship formerly sponsored by McDon ald's. Among the contracts that have reportedly expired are those for longstanding events such as the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic and Wegmans LPGA.

``I think a lot of the players out here agree that when we start losing tournaments that have been around here for so long it's not only the economy, and something needs to be done,'' McPherson said. ``... The majority of players don't know what's going on they just know they want to play golf, and whatever it takes to do that, that's what we want.''

The letter was sent to the LPGA Tour's Board of Direc tors, and the 13 voting members of the board include seven players and six independent directors. Bivens is a board member, and a meeting of the board to discuss her future has not been announced.

Players reportedly present at the dinner included Suzann Pettersen, Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr, Yani Tseng and Michelle Wie. Pettersen has admitted to sign ing the letter.

The letter seems ill-timed since it comes during a week when the tour traditionally receives its most publicity. But the tour's top players may have acted when they did because the LPGA will not be back in the U.S. for a full-field event until the Aug. 28-30 Safeway Classic in North Plains, Ore.

Bivens, who succeeded Ty Votaw as commissioner in September 2005, has two years left on her contract. Though Bivens was scheduled to arrive at Saucon Valley this morning, LPGA officials say she is not expected to comment this week on the call for her resignation.

Bivens' aggressive business practices have been widely criticized, and she was engaged in a verbal sparring match over them with former LPGA Tour nament Owners Association president Stephanie Hall early in her tenure.

But they may have also helped the LPGA ink a 10-year agreement with Golf Channel as the exclusive cable home for the Tour starting in 2010. The contract includes rights fees paid to the LPGA Tour for the first time in the United States.

In the midst of the contro versy, McPherson will try to build on an already impressive year in major championships. She's 10th on the 2009 LPGA Tour money list, largely because of a tie for second in the Kraft Nabisco Champion ship and tie for fifth in the McDonald's LPGA Champion ship. She had a lead on the 18th tee at the Kraft Nabisco, but was beaten by a shot when friend Brittany Lincicome made eagle.

``I think I play a little better in tougher conditions,'' McPher son said. ``I usually make a lot of pars and in tougher conditions I feel I can scramble pretty well. ...You've got to know it's going to be a mental grind and be patient with yourself. It's going to be a fun but tough week.''

This is McPherson's first U.S. Open since 2005 in Cherry Hills, Colo., where she missed the cut. She also missed the cut by a shot last week at the Jamie Farr - just her third missed cut in 14 events in 2009 - but it gave her a break in the midst of three consecutive tourna ments and afforded her a chance to work on shots she believes she'll need this week.

``There are reasons you want to play well before an Open, but if there was ever a good time to miss a cut it was last week,'' McPherson said.

McPherson said she'll likely struggle most this week with the par-71 course's length of 6,740 yards. She's 81st on tour in average driving distance at 249.9 yards, but is 12th in driv ing accuracy, having hit more than 77 percent of her fairways.

``I'm not one of the longest hitters out here and there's a couple [par-4] holes I have to pull 3-wood out, but it will be long for most of the players,'' McPherson said. ``There are a few holes where I'll get a wedge or short iron in my hand and can make birdie, but a lot of holes you take par and don't complain about it.''

McPherson hopes her play at the Open affords her a reason to celebrate during a family vacation at a Grand Strand beach house next week.

After that, she will head over seas for the next LPGA event in France as the tour's direction continues to shake out.