This is not a long limb on which to go out. I have never been a risk-taker, though, so it should come as no surprise that I have selected one of five young players to win the McDonald’s LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola at Bulle Rock in Maryland.

A brief recap: Yani Tseng defeated Maria Hjorth in sudden-life last year. Annika and Lorena tied for 3rd and Morgan Pressel, Seon Hwa Lee and Creamer all fit nicely into the top ten. How times have changed! Annika is retired, Lorena is not the victory machine of yore, Pressel is obsessel with Twitter, Creamer is up-and-down, and Lee has not added to her career victory total of four. Here we go, Mario Brothers!

1. Vicky Hurst: My personal favorite since her Futures Tour days. Started off 2009, her first LPGA season, with some high finishes but has cooled off since. Time to emerge.

2. Michelle Wie: Has traditionally done well at this course and seems to have the head screwed on nearly tight. Didn’t play here in 2008 but can be counted on for at least a top ten this week.

3. Ji-Yai Shin: Won ADT and British Open in 2008 but has had a quiet (only 6th on the money list) 2009.

4. Suzanne Pettersen: The oldest of the kids, this one needs a US major championship to confirm that she is not Lorena’s whipping post.

5. Ai Miyazato: Just outside Wie (17th to 16th) on the money list, the Japanese have been overshadowed by the Korean wave of players. Miyazato has enough under-the-radar opportunity to get in contention through Friday and enough weekend composure to seal the deal.

See me Sunday night to hand me my accolades.

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