While most golf fans are still counting the days to The Masters (6) the major season really gets underway today at the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration. The true first major of the season is usually one of the best as all the LPGA stars are primed for a big week and the Dinah Shore Tournament Course always lends itself to an exhilarating finish. Players usually have a decision on the par five eighteenth to go for it and make up a few strokes if needed to win the tournament. It always makes for an exciting conclusion.
So many stars are playing well and the two biggest names in the game are ripe for another major win. The true needle mover in ladies golf Michelle Wie has a win already this year and has been playing an entirely “new” game this season. She is out there to “be free and have fun” and Karen Crouse details the new and improved…and healthy Michelle Wie in the New York Times. It doesn’t hurt that she went to a more conventional putting style and has been lights out with her short stick all season.
Last year’s ANA was marred by the Lexi Thompson four shot penalty that cost her the victory and actually resulted in a rules change. Lexi was scarred by the incident and still fights off nightmares of that outrageous afternoon. Lexi hasn’t started 2018 as she would like but is ready to put last years ANA behind her with a win here to finally bury the pain of last year. She won this tournament four years ago and wants a bit of payback. “There is definitely a little bit of extra oomph behind me to play this week.” Randall Mell profiles Lexi and her motivation to get it done this week.
Mell also has a piece on Michelle and Lexi and their chance to take each other out at a place where they both have so much history.
Ron Sirak says, “There’s a lot about the ANA Inspiration that feels like The Masters.” And he’s absolutely right. All the stars playing on the same course year after year allows those tournaments to pile up history making moments each year. He calls the field here “a chorus line of stars” with so many popular players playing well.
The Dinah Shore course is a welcoming sight for players like Lexi and Brittany Lincicome who can drive it with the men. Beth Ann Nichols highlights the course and calls it a “bombers delight.”
“There’s a reason Lexi Thompson and Brittany Lincicome come alive when they make the turn onto Dinah Shore Drive. A confident Lincicome has the chance to become only the fourth player to win the ANA Inspiration three times, joining the likes of Annika Sorenstam, Betsy King and Amy Alcott. Thompson, the 2014 champion, hasn’t finished outside the top seven at the ANA in four years.”
We don’t have to wait for The Masters, the major season starts today and the ANA rarely disappoints.
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