Must Read: Christina Kim And Other Golfers Who Battle Depression

There is a very powerful December Golf Digest story by Stina Sternberg that's a powerful, informative but in no way maudlin read (the print issue should hit your mailbox any day if it hasn't already, and the iPad edition is out).

Though Kim is the focus (and kudos to her for sharing her story to overcome the stigma attached to admitting issues with depression), she's certainly not alone.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 14.8 million American adults--or 6.7 percent of the U.S. population--suffer from Major Depressive Disorder, and more than 30,000 Americans commit suicide every year. "It's a huge medical illness on the order of cardiovascular disease and diabetes," says Dr. Michael Lardon, a San Diego-based clinical psychiatrist who specializes in working with professional athletes and has been treating tour players, including half a dozen major champions, for 21 years. (This is the first year he has no LPGA Tour patients, but he currently works with 10 players each from the PGA and Web.com tours.) "Unfortunately, it lives in the background."

Jiyai: 18 GIR En Route To Five Shot Lead

There are a lot of great accomplishments in golf, but hitting all 18 greens in regulation has always been one of the more underappreciated feats to me. Especially doing it in a major and on a tough links, as Jiyai Shin did while firing 64 and, according to this unbylined AP story, opening up a 5-shot lead heading into Sunday's Ricoh Women's British Open final round.

The nine-time LPGA Tour winner hit all 18 greens in regulation and needed only 28 putts. The 64 is the lowest round in competition at Royal Liverpool, breaking the mark of 65 set by four players in the 2006 Open Championship.

"A bogey-free day and then bunker-free, too, so that was probably the best round I have ever played in a major," Shin said. "So that is a good thing, today's golf. I missed just one fairway. And on the back nine, it's blowing very strong wind, but I just stay focused on my tempo and my timing with my driver and shots."

South Korea's Inbee Park was second after a 68. She played alongside Shin.

The LPGA's second round notes. Inbee Park lurks at -4 and amateur sensation Lydia Ko is eight shots back.

Remember, ESPN2 added two hours of coverage so their telecast comes on at 9 am ET in the States. And Andy North is announcing, so you can't say you weren't warned.

ESPN2 Adds Coverage For Women's Open 36-Hole Finish

For Immediate Release...

Due to the cancellation of today’s second round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open because of high winds, and the revised schedule that calls for 36 holes of golf on Sunday, two hours have been added to the telecast of the final day on Sunday on ESPN2, ESPN3 and WatchESPN.
 
Originally scheduled to air from 9 a.m. – noon ET, ESPN2 and ESPN3’s coverage will now air until 2 p.m. from the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, Liverpool, England. Coverage of Saturday’s play airs from 9 a.m. – noon, and one hour of final-round highlights will air on ABC at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

"Melissa Reid 'can't wait for season to end' and the dawn of her new career playing in America"

Quoting Melissa Reid extensively, James Corrigan files an emotional Telegraph piece on the eve of the Ricoh Women's Open Championship where the English golfer opens up about her completely understandable struggles with grief following her mum's tragic death in May and a tournament win in June.

The nadir came at last month’s Irish Open at Killeen Castle. It was too much to take. At the same venue the year before she had been a member of the Europe Solheim Cup team that beat America and her mother had played a full part in the celebrations.

The memories ganged up on Reid. “I was really, really struggling, she said. “I’ve always thought I’m good at blocking things out, but obviously not something like this. It was after eight holes when my caddie, Johnny, looked at me and said ‘do you want to go in’. I said ‘yeah’. And he said ‘come on let’s go, you don’t have to prove anything to anybody’.”

Reid tees off Thursday at 11:30 ET with Sandra Gal and Anne-Lise Caudal.

She is headed to LPGA Tour school this fall to try and earn her card.

25-1: Lydia Ko

The braintrust at William Hill installed 15-year-old Lydia Ko at 25-1 for the Women's Open Championship, making her a joint 10th favorite.

Judging by the glowing praise from her colleagues as quoted in Alistair Tait's story, no one is counting her out.

“You can’t quite believe how good she is at 15,” said Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, the 2009 Women’s British Open champion. “Just the composure she showed on the last day. She actually went away from the field. It’s slightly embarrassing to be beaten by a 15-year-old. She’s obviously a fantastic player with huge potential.”