Sara Lee Classic
Janice Moodie's spectacular arrival on the LPGA scene this year - yesterday she was featured in the Baltimore Sun - has been in stark contrast to the downturn in fortune suffered by Kathryn Marshall, who remains the only Scot to have won on the tour.
After a third of the season, the Solheim Cup player goes into today's Sara Lee Classic at the Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee, at No.107 on the order of merit with only $14,253.
Drastic action is needed, and she has taken it by splitting with her caddie, who happens to be her husband, Scot. He spent yesterday on a country music trail, but he will be back at the course to provide support from outside the ropes.
''When things aren't going well on the course it's very difficult,'' said Marshall, who had career-best earnings of almost $200,000 during Scot's rookie season as a caddie last year. ''It may just be temporary, but then again. . .''
An Australian professional, Alison Mount, whose usual employer, Jane Crafter, is out through injury, has taken on the task this week, but Marshall added: ''I'll be using whoever's available tournament by tournament.''
For Moodie, there is no such problem. Having enjoyed a successful debut with her new caddie, fellow Scot Mike Paterson, at the Titleholders' Championship in Florida last week, she is looking forward to furthering her claims on the rookie-of-the-year title.
The Windyhill 24-year-old is currently $15,000 ahead of Korea's Se Ri Pak and growing attention from the US media confirms she is making a big impact.
Catriona Matthew, one place behind Moodie at No.44 on the Order of Merit, and Dale Reid, who has made only one cut in seven starts are the other Scots in the field for the $750,000 event.
Matthew's form keeps her on course for a Solheim Cup debut for the Europe versus America match at Muirfield Village, Ohio, in September. For Reid, the chances of maintaining her ever-present record in the fifth series must have all but disappeared.
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