Kraft Nabisco and Shell Houston Final Round Open Thread

Phil Mickelson's 63 couldn't have come at a better time and while it'll be fun to see what he does Sunday, he's vaulted himself back onto the Masters favorites list after a mediocre start to the year. But it's the LPGA's first major of the year that has the potential for a fantastic finish with World No. 1 Yani Tseng taking the lead over Stacy Lewis, with Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie lurking just enough that things could get interesting if someone goes low.

This And That From The 2011 KIA Classic

Inbee Park tees off at Industry Hills' 10th Sunday (click to enlarge)While it was tough to tear myself away from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Steve Elling's story on the silly setup assured me I missed not a thing. Instead I headed out to the City of Industry where, despite playing the inhumane and walking-impossible Industry Hills composite layout, the atmosphere was celebratory and the golf rewarding to watch.
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One Of Golf's Most Fascinating Short Par-4's Debuts Thursday!

Fascinating because it should encircled with a giant Ground Under Repair line.

I finally studied the morphing of the Eisenhower and Zaharias courses at Industry Hills for the LPGA's KIA Classic and to my shock, they are playing quite possibly the worst par-4 in southern California and maybe all of Earth: the infamous ninth of the Zaharias, which I believe is the 10th on this week's Eisenharias layout.

I think the aerial speaks for itself, but if this Google Earth view of the 308-yard ninth doesn't excite the senses, let me help with a few details.

It begins with a magical walk down an asphalt path from the eighth green. At the tee the player will find not one, but four protective screens to guard the neighboring houses from a snap hook. The difficult-to-locate landing area offers neither strategic angles of attack nor spectating room on this coin pocket of the former landfill's mountainside. Good luck this week, ladies!

 

Founders Cup Roundup, Japan Wins And The LPGA Still Needs To Play For Real Money

Randall Mell wraps up the charitable contributions of the top 10 finishers in the Founders Cup and with several players adding Japan relief funds as a nice touch, it's hard to knock the event. Then again, something about it still just lacked the legitimacy that this week's KIA Classic will carry with a real purse and a great field.
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