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LET: 2013 Rookie of the Year

By Elizabeth Bethel

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While we’re waiting for 1st round tee time at the CME Group Titleholders, the final event of the 2013 LPGA Tour season, let’s take a look at the LET Rookie of the Year race.  On the Ladies European Tour, Melissa Reid (2008), Anna Nordqvist (2009), Caroline Hedwall (2011) and Carlota Ciganda (2012) have all reaped the honor.  The current question:  “Who’s going to be the Rookie of The Year 2013 (and win the Rolex watch)?”  This isn’t an idle question.  Nordqvist, Hedwall, and Ciganda have all gone on from the achievement to make their mark on the LPGA Tour.

Aug 17, 2013; Parker, CO, USA; Charley Hull of team Europe during the final round of the 2013 Solheim Cup at the Colorado Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2013; Parker, CO, USA; Charley Hull of team Europe during the final round of the 2013 Solheim Cup at the Colorado Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rookie of The Year 2013 presented by Rolex is not decided yet and there are only 2 events remaining to end the season, the Hero Women’s Indian Open, November 28-30 at the New Delhi Golf Club and  Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, December 4-7 at the Emirates Golf Club.

The numbers are tight.  Two English players, Charley Hull and Holly Clyburn are running so close to each other that the contest will go to the end of the 2013 season.

Hull is the 3rd teen phenom making her appearance on the pro golf stage (alongside American Lexi Thompson and New Zealander Lydia Ko).  She’s already a familiar figure among LPGA fans for her fearless performance at the 2013 Solheim Cup followed by her request that Paula Creamer autograph a golf ball for her boyfriend.

Less than one month ago, before the Sanya Ladies Open started, Holly Clyburn was in the lead.  Her win at the Deloitte Ladies Open and her 3rd position at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in August boosted her status.  But Hull’s a fighter and was not going to give this race up or make the competition easy.

Hull finished tied for 35th in Sanya Ladies Open and recorded a new top 10 at the China Suzhou Taihu Open (tied for 5th). These latest results helped her to overtake Clyburn and she is now leading by a slim margin.  With 2 events remaining, the contest is still open.

It’s not over until it’s over on this one.  We’ll keep an eye on Hull and Clyburn and stay tuned during the Hero Women’s Indian Open starting  28thNovember and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters from 4th to 7thDecember.