"Moving forward, the city of Phoenix has got something incredible here."

John Davis highlights what looks like a great salvation job by the LPGA in Phoenix, not to mention a potential eye opener for them if Papago's public access nature draws more energetic galleries.

That means the event will draw added interest from fans, and that should be a plus for Papago, a course once regarded as one of the better municipal layouts in the country but one that had deteriorated over the past two decades.

"This has always been a great LPGA market, and they really wanted to keep a tournament going here. That's what's most important," tour official Allison Akin said of the event that starts Thursday.

"The design (of Papago) is just great. Moving forward, the city of Phoenix has got something incredible here. I think it's going to be great for residents and visitors alike."