The LPGA Tour plays its first major of the year in the 51st edition of “The Dinah Shore Tournament,” currently the Chevron Championship 2022, in Rancho Mirage, California, this week. It will be the final time that the tournament will be hosted at Mission Hills Golf Course, as sponsor Chevron is moving the event to Texas.
Chevron is increasing the total purse to among the largest in women’s golf at $5 million, and 625 points are up for contention in the race to the CME Globe.
The origins of the tournament name came from Dinah Shore, who was a singer, actress, and television personality in the 1950s, hosting “The Dinah Shore Show” and becoming a great supporter and ambassador of women’s golf.
Ten former champions, of 39 total, will be competing this year, along with 115 total in the field representing 24 countries; along with 14 of the top 15 on the Rolex World Rankings.
Lexi Thompson, the 2014 champion, has been playing at this event since 14 years old and is among the top Americans seeking the coveted title, having six total top ten finishes at this major.
“I think what’s so amazing is the history behind this tournament,” said Thompson. “Jumping into Poppie’s Pond, putting the robe on on the 18th green; just the tradition and history behind it, to be able to walk up the 18th green and see my name there, it’s pretty special.”
In the field are 29 major champions, including defending champion Patty Tavatanakit, who also won the 2021 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year last season on the LPGA Tour.
“I am honored to have my name right there next to all the Hall of Famers and past champions,” said Tavatanakit in her press conference Tuesday. “Proud to put my name there. I actually took a picture with it. Just a nice feeling ... [that] makes me love this place even more, regardless how I do this week.”
Joining her is a fellow countryman from Thailand, Atthaya Thitikuland, who is the youngest on tour at 19, and is fresh off her first LPGA title last week at the JTBC Classic, at Aviara, in Carlsbad, California.
Ko added that she hasn’t been playing her best recently and that her best performance would be winning by five strokes.
Compared to three years ago when she won this event, she’s gained “experience” in her game, and is “better in the round, or bunkers or wherever.” But the 26-year-old admitted that she’s “getting old” and “needs more stretching.”
World #3 and 2016 Champion, Lydia Ko of New Zealand, also reminisced her experiences at this tournament.
“I mean, the biggest thing about this event is Poppie’s Pond,” said Ko. “We’ve had multiple different sponsors that have sponsored this event, and I’m sure—I’m going to miss the tradition of that and every year hoping to be the one that gets to make that leap.”
Tiger Woods in Augusta
Tiger Woods flew in his private jet to Augusta, Georgia, to play an unannounced practice round at Augusta National, the site of the first PGA major of the year at The Masters. He was joined by his son Charlie, and friend and fellow tour professional Justin Thomas.At the last interview discussing a potential return to play on tour before the Genesis Invitational over a month ago, Woods downplayed the possibility of playing anytime soon; stating that it was difficult for him to walk the courses, as his recovery from the serious leg injuries suffered from a car accident just after the Genesis Invitational in 2021 had not progressed to acceptable levels.
Woods competed in the off-season placing second at the PNC Championship with Charlie in December. The tournament was outside the PGA Tour and allowed for him to use a cart in the competition.
The golf world is buzzing with much speculation, expecting Woods to make his PGA return next week at the Masters.
