LPGA NOTEBOOK From Squaw Creek Country Club

More money: Tom Hollern, chairman of the Mahoning Valley Sports Charities, said if the tournament is going to stay in the area, it will need more prize money. "If we want to go forward, we're going to have to increase the purse," he said. The tournament, which had a $1 million purse this year, was one of the first on the tour to break seven figures. But the purse is now tied for 22nd among 32 tour events in prize money. The U.S. Women's Open has the biggest purse with $3.1 million. Only five LPGA tournaments have purses under $1 million.
Diaz's dream: The way Laura Diaz looks at it, every tournament gives her an opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream of playing golf. Ending the LPGA's 15-year reign in the Mahoning Valley would be a mistake, Diaz said. "I love what I do for a living. I feel very fortunate that others choose to sponsor our event so that I can do what I love," she said. "Every tournament is extremely important to me and the whole Tour, so we don't want to lose this tournament. We don't want to lose any of our tournaments."
18th hole sidelights: The two-hour-plus rain delay allowed for some notable reaction once players returned to the golf course. Before the horn was blown to signal resumption, Kristi Albers kiddingly mouthed her own version of the horn while waiting on the 18th green. The noise drew laughs and applause from fans. ... Two groups later, Amy Fruhwirth told fans "I'll be there soon" following the first of her two putts for par. ... Also after the weather delay, golfers Emilee Klein, Anna Acker-Macosko and Dina Ammaccapane hit their approach shots right of the green. Klein's shot hit the grandstand, resulting in a free drop, while Ammaccapane's sailed into fans sitting along the green.
Statistical leaders: Champion Moira Dunn used just 26 putts in her final round and 84 for the tournament, second only to Anna Acker-Macosko, who had 77 total putts. Dunn hit 34 of 42 fairways and 42 of 52 greens in regulation. Yu Ping Lin hit 39 of 42 fairways, while Katherine Hull hit 49 of 54 greens.
Toughest holes: The par-4, No. 3 hole, 360 yards, ranked toughest for the tournament. It played at 4.363 over the three days, with one eagle, 17 birdies and 114 bogeys and 16 double bogeys. Second toughest was the par-3 No. 15 hole, 185 yards which played at 3.306 strokes with one hole-in-one, 22 birdies and 103 bogeys and 11 double bogeys. The easiest hole on the course was the par-5 No. 8 hole, while although it didn't yield an eagle, did have 67 birdies and just 32 bogeys. There were no eagles recorded in the final round and just five for the tournament.
Leaving so soon? Jung-Yeon Lee withdrew during the two-hour rain delay, hoping to fulfill travel plans to France for this week's Evian Masters in Paris. Lee completed her first nine holes at 1-under par 34. She was at 3-over 147 through her first two rounds. At the time of her withdrawal, Lee was tied for 30th, which would have been worth $7,850.
-Vindicator staff