"The dilemma for the LPGA is that with so few full-field, U.S.-based events, having one in which there is no prize money is extremely inconvenient, to say the least."

Reading Ron Sirak's lukewarm assessment of the LPGA's "mock purse" event and a schedule featuring three majors in a five week span got me thinking: Mike Whan is a genius!

The purse-free Founder's Cup will provide complimentary hotel rooms for the players, rooms for caddies to share and a stipend to help with caddie fees. Mostly, the tournament doubles the number of domestic events before the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year -- from one to two. Even counting the Founders Cup, which has no prize money, and the Mexico event, which likely won't happen, there are six off weeks from the start of the season Feb. 17-20 in Thailand through May 15.

"I fully expect this to be a one-of-a-kind event that you will be talking about all season," commission Mike Whan said about the Founders Cup in an email to LPGA members obtained by GolfDigest Digital. He can count on the fact that it will be much discussed, but he may not always like the direction of the conversation. But for a tour that has fought for its life the entire 61 years of its existence, holding a benefit for itself might be the only alternative.

See, it's all about getting everyone to talk about the merits of a free exhibition instead of the schedule!

And by the way, love the giving players free rooms but the caddies have to bunk up with other loopers. Nice touch for a week you're working on a stipend. Real incentivization!