Mystery Illness Gives LPGA Alternates a Chance

On Thursday morning, Mao Saigo and So Mi Lee were standing on the range at Liberty National Golf Club hoping against hope for a tee time. They were the first and second alternates at the LPGA Mizuho Classic and waiting for last minute withdrawals. This scenario plays out at professional events weekly. Rarely does the first alternate get in on a Thursday, making the second alternate’s chances worse. This isn’t a normal week, however. 

Sitting in the media room, I heard of Rose Zhang’s withdrawal. It came on the third hole and didn’t help Mao, who was still on the range at the time. But Mao wouldn’t have to wait long. Caroline Masson soon withdrew and Mao was in. 

That left So Mi Lee as the first alternate. Lee had stayed in the New York area after missing at the Monday qualifier, knowing there was an outside chance she could get in. Because she is an LPGA member, Lee was allowed to practice on-site as an alternate. Thursday morning, Lee came to the course alone and her dad stayed back at their Airbnb. Her regular caddie, Andrew Tomasi, was in touch with Lee’s manager and would make plans to get to the tournament as soon as he could – likely Friday or Saturday – if she got in. 

Saigo got into the field and Lee phoned her dad – who had never caddied before – to head to the course. Soon after he arrived, Lee received the news that she was in. Maja Stark had withdrawn with what was seemingly the same illness forcing other players to withdraw. 10 players ended up withdrawing and the LPGA put out a statement saying three of them were from injury.

Lee’s dad grabbed the bag and a caddie bib and the pair headed for the first tee. The nameplate on the back of the bib was blank. 

I caught up with Lee on the first hole (her 10th) and noticed the scoreboard the standard bearer was carrying didn’t even have Lee’s name. The blank space showed 4-under and So Mi Lee was leading the tournament. 

As I watched the group complete the hole, Lee was giving her dad a caddying crash course about where to stand and when to grab the flag. At the same time, Tomasi was arranging travel from his home in Orlando. He booked a flight that arrived in Newark at 11:30 p.m. 

Saigo, just a few groups ahead of Lee, made five birdies and one bogey to post an opening round of 68 on a rainy, windy, and challenging day. Lee made eight birdies and two bogeys and posted a 66. The pair, who didn’t even have a tee time that morning, sat first and second on the leaderboard. 

Lee’s regular caddie arrived in Newark on time, got to the hotel around 1:30 a.m., and made it to the course at 5:30 the following morning to prepare for Lee’s second round tee time. The round began with a tee shot into the water, but Lee got up-and-down for bogey. On the second hole, an LPGA official attached the nameplate for Lee’s caddie bib, and the scoreboard showed her name. 

After the opening bogey, Lee grinded out a 1-under 71 and again sat atop the leaderboard at 7-under. Atthaya Thitkul later shot 65 to bump Lee into 2nd. 

Saigo made four birdies and one double bogey and shot a second round 70, leaving her at 6-under and in a four-way tie for 3rd. 

On Thursday morning, Mao Saigo and So Mi Lee had almost no hope of getting into the event. On Saturday morning, the two rookies are contending for their first LPGA title. 

Mao Saigo tees off at 12:13 on Saturday with Gabi Ruffels, and Lee tees off with Thitikul in the final group at 12:37. 

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