2005 Kraft Nabisco Championship Preview

98 of the top LPGA players take the field this week at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA.

gracepark.jpgThe Dinah Shore Tournament Course is the setting for this exciting four-day event. Beginning in 1972, this event became a major in 1983. This event is an invitational, and in the past year the top LPGA Tour pros and a few fortunate amateurs have earned the right to compete for the glory of an LPGA major. The pros are going after the $1.8 million purse that goes with it.

And, what a field it is! Grace Park took the traditional celebratory dive into Champion’s Lake last year after sinking a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th. Although Park has yet to win an event in 2005, her overall stats put her in contention. Park is currently tenth in scoring average, ninth in greens in regulation and 37th on the 2005 ADT Official Money List.

But, watch out Grace Park! Annika Sorenstam, fresh off her win last week at the Safeway International is ready for the challenge. After winning five tournaments in five starts (including last week’s sudden-death playoff victory against Lorena Ochoa and a come-from-behind win at the Mastercard Tournament), Annika is feeling pretty good about her game. Could she win all four major championships in one calendar year? Sorenstam has won at least one major every year since 2001 and almost claimed the Grand Slam in 2003, missing by two strokes. “All I want to do is win majors, and that’s my focus this year,” said Sorenstam last week at Superstition Mountain.

If Annika wins at the Kraft Nabisco Championship this week, she will also tie a record set by Nancy Lopez for five consecutive wins in tournaments played as well as becoming the only LPGA player to win the Kraft Nabisco Championship after winning the prior week.

Karrie Webb, winner of the Kraft Nabisco Tournament in 2000 and third place finisher last year is scheduled to compete. Lorena Ochoa, devastated by last week’s loss against Sorenstam, will try to regain her composure this week. Young amateur Morgan Pressel received a sponsor’s exemption, as did 15-year-old Michelle Wie, who finished fourth at this tournament in 2004. Ai Miyazato is making her debut after winning five events on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Tour last year and finishing second on their money list.

This should be an exciting tournament as ten players have already won their first major championship at Mission Hills including veteran Juli Inkster, Betsy King, and Dottie Pepper.

Coverage of the tournament airs Thursday and Friday from 5-7 pm ET on ESPN2. Saturday coverage is 4:30-6 pm on ABC and the finals air Sunday 4-6 pm ET, also on ABC.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images.

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