come to grips/take a shot at
またゴルフの話題です。来季の米LPGAツアーの出場権をかけ、11月28日から12月2日まで、アメリカ・フロリダで最終予選会が行われました。Daily Yomiuriからの抜粋です。
Uehara, Arimura earn LPGA cards
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.--Ayako Uehara fell short of her goal of topping the U.S. LPGA qualifying tournament, but she still ended the grueling five days with what she came for.
Uehara finished third Sunday to earn full status on the LPGA tour next season along with Chie Arimura, who placed fifth at the LPGA International course. The top 20 were awarded with tour cards.
The 28-year-old Uehara, a three-time winner on the Japan LPGA tour but winless this year, shot a bogeyless 3-under 69 to finish at 12-under 348.
That left her one stroke behind Canada's Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn.
"It's too bad," Uehara said of coming so close to ending on top. "I still feel some disappointment."
Uehara's mood quickly improved as she came to grips with her accomplishment, not to mention that she was the only player in the field who shot under par in each of the five rounds.
It was a solid performance in a season in which her best finish in Japan was a pair of third places.
"I'm happy to make it through after playing in such a nerve-wracking atmosphere," Uehara said.
"I'm really excited to see what kind of courses [are on the tour] and how I stand up to the competition."
Arimura, who skipped the final two Japan LPGA tournaments--and a chance for the money title--to prepare for the LPGA Q-school, combined four bogeys and two birdies for a 70 and an 8-under 352 total.
"It was a long, tough four months since I decided to take a shot at Q-school," said Arimura, a three-time winner this season. "Playing tournaments in Japan, then practicing to make sure I would make it in the United States. Now that it's over, I really feel like I've accomplished something big."
Meanwhile, Harukyo Nomura shot a 67 and Mitsuki Katahira a 72 to finish tied for 39th at 361 and just make the cut for receiving partial playing status.
Ayaka Kaneko failed to earn playing status after finishing well back at 368.
Uehara and Arimura will join Ai Miyazato and Mika Miyazato as Japanese regulars on the LPGA tour next season.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/T121203003223.htm
今回、日本の選手では、上原彩子プロ、有村智恵プロが、来季LPGAツアーの出場権を獲得しました。この記事の中で気になった表現が、come to gripsとtake a shot atです。ゴルフでgripといえば握る部分のことなので、グリップの握り方に関してのことかと勘違いしましたが、辞書を引いてみるとcome to gripsで「（困難・問題などと）真剣に取り組む」という意味だそうです。（『ジーニアス英和辞典 第４版』大修館）
さらに、take a shot atは、「〜を狙い打つ」（『ジーニアス英和辞典 第４版』大修館）という意味ですが、ここではshotの名詞の意味でもある「試み」から、｢〜に挑戦する」という意味でとらえることができます。ということでここでは「Q-schoolに挑戦すると決めてから」ということになります。
私は個人的に有村プロのファンなので、アメリカに行ってしまうことは寂しいですが、これからも宮里藍プロたちと一緒に日本の女子ゴルフ界を引っ張っていってほしいと思います。(Haramii)
