The LPGA Is Back in the US This Week

Yes, the LPGA finally begins their first US swing of the year at the Founders Cup, with its new sponsor Bank of Hope. BoH has strong ties to US Asian-American communities, so they were a logical successor to JTBC.

Let me give you a handful of facts to get you up-to-speed.



The Founders Cup has gone from an event with an imaginary purse -- remember how silly that sounded when Michael Whan first proposed it? -- to one of the biggest events on the LPGA seven years later. You can find Tony Jesselli's preview at this link, and he says this week's strength of field rating is 82%, easily one of the strongest non-major events of the year.

The event is played at the Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix AZ, a longtime favorite destination for the tour. Sei Young Kim won last year's event with a score of -27, tying Annika for the lowest winning score relative to par at any event.

Each year this event honors some "Pioneers," women who were instrumental in the growth and development of the LPGA Tour. This week, Sandra Post (Canadian) and Hollis Stacy (American) will be the honorees.

Finally, because this event is played out near the West Coast of the US, we East Coasters get prime time golf. GC's live coverage begins at 6pm ET on Thursday night. It's a nice way to spend an evening!