More Prime Time LPGA Action

As the LPGA prepares for their first major of the year -- the ANA Inspiration next week -- we (here in the US, at least) get another prime time LPGA broadcast with the Kia Classic.



Tony Jesselli's weekly tournament preview is at this link. I'll just remind you that the event is held in Carlsbad CA and the defending champ is Mirim Lee. She's hoping to recapture last year's magic, having not cracked the Top20 since.

Seven of the eight past Kia champs will be in the field this week. (2010 champ Hee Kyung Seo is the missing one.) Kia does tend to pull a strong field as many players are preparing for the ANA next week. Inbee Park is also in the field -- she's never won but she has a couple of runner-up finishes.

After last week's performance I wouldn't bet against her.

Beyond that, the #1 spot in the Rolex is up for grabs again. Shanshan Feng leads Lexi Thompson by a mere .21 points, with So Yeon Ryu .5 back and Sung Hyun Park another .2 behind her. We could see a shake-up this week.

GC's coverage is tape-delayed at 8:30pm ET Thursday and Friday night, but goes live at 7pm ET on Saturday and Sunday. And I'll say it again: The ANA comes up next week, so this should be a very competitive event.