2021 Kia Classic (Mar 25 - 28)

[Argonne69]

Race to the CME Globe: 500 Points

 

Format: 72 holes

 

Purse: $1,800,000

 

Location: Aviara Golf Club, Carlsbad, CA

 

Par: 72

 

Yardage: 6609 yds

 

History: This is the 11th year for the event. In 2019, Nasa Hataoka won for her third victory in her last 16 LPGA Tour starts. The Japanese player closed with a 5-under 67 for a three-stroke victory over playing partner Inbee Park, top-ranked Sung Hyun Park, Jin Young Ko, Azahara Munoz and Danielle Kang.

 

Coverage:

 

Mar 25: The Golf Channel 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm (ET)

Mar 26: The Golf Channel 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm (ET)

Mar 27: The Golf Channel 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (ET)

Mar 28: The Golf Channel 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (ET)

 

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Ugh. Here we go again with the poor tape delayed coverage on Thursday and Friday. Two hours in the late evening. Pffftttt.

 

Looks like a strong field. With the first major of the season the week after, we're getting the final late starters out on the course, including Minjee, Ariya, Hyo Joo, and So Yeon.

 

Looks like rain is in the forecast for Thursday afternoon, but otherwise it should be pleasant with cool morning temps, and afternoon highs in the mid-60's. The leaders should have ideal conditions on the weekend.

 

With such a strong field it's tough to pick a winner. I'm going to go with Hyo Joo, a bit of a sleeper pick. Lydia should have a top 5.

 

[18majors]

The course map:

 

 

 

Several holes have different length options:

 

Kia Classic (Yards)

#3           3             149    117     116

#5           5             512    478

#6           3             174    137

#8           5             528    477

#10         5             518    490

#16         4             374    285

$17         5             572    555    530

[Stooch]

This is one of my favorite events all season (figures it would have bad coverage), I watch simply for the rough.  I enjoy the little thing in life, such as a proper rough lol 🙂

[18majors]

1 hour ago, Stooch said:

This is one of my favorite events all season (figures it would have bad coverage), I watch simply for the rough.  I enjoy the little thing in life, such as a proper rough lol 🙂

 

This is certainly your type of courses:

 

Acres of fairway:  30

Acres of rough:  65

 

 

[Stooch]

2 hours ago, 18majors said:

 

This is certainly your type of courses:

 

Acres of fairway:  30

Acres of rough:  65

 

 

 

and it's usually very thick and lush, here's to hoping this year.

[double or triple?]

I wish they allowed spectators on site this week. Got to go on wednesday practice day in 2019 and it was great

[ChronicSlicer]

5 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Ugh. Here we go again with the poor tape delayed coverage on Thursday and Friday. Two hours in the late evening. Pffftttt.

 

Looks like a strong field. With the first major of the season the week after, we're getting the final late starters out on the course, including Minjee, Ariya, Hyo Joo, and So Yeon.

 

Looks like rain is in the forecast for Thursday afternoon, but otherwise it should be pleasant with cool morning temps, and afternoon highs in the mid-60's. The leaders should have ideal conditions on the weekend.

 

With such a strong field it's tough to pick a winner. I'm going to go with Hyo Joo, a bit of a sleeper pick. Lydia should have a top 5.

 

Hyo Joo is an excellent choice, 3 top 7's since 2015. 

[SEP1006]

Isn't Michelle Wie playing as well? Seriously doubt she will contend but I hope she makes the cut. Love watching her hit that low stinger off the tee !!!!!!

[ChronicSlicer]

Let's see if Inbee can get the ball rolling this week. I'm going with her for the W.

I like Lydia and Lizette as well.

Wonder if S.H. Park(remember her) can find a groove again she has played well here in the past, maybe a spark ignites again.

 Does Michelle make the cut? 

Cristie Kerr likes the Kia.

 

 

[18majors]

Hole #16, a sometime drivable par 4, is again the AON Risk Reward challenge hole.

[quackhead]

7 hours ago, double or triple? said:

I wish they allowed spectators on site this week. Got to go on wednesday practice day in 2019 and it was great

Great course to walk and follow your favorite players, especially in the springtime.  Super bummed no spectators allowed.  Rooting for AVD and JMG.

[quackhead]

4 hours ago, 18majors said:

Hole #16, a sometime drivable par 4, is again the AON Risk Reward challenge hole.

One of my favorite holes, as they had a beer special at the bar behind the green, every time a player made a birdie on that hole.🙂

[18majors]

Hard to pick against this group on this course!

 

 

 

[preiter20]

I noticed on the LPGA website that Golf Channel will be online streaming nightly from 6 to 9 p.m.  An extra hour of coverage?

 

Anyone know what happened to Shanshan Feng?  Can't find any news about her.    Just read the 2021 LPGA thread - never mind!

 

I am going with Lexi this week.  My not too long shot is In Gee.  She has been playing very well lately.

Edited March 24, 2021 by preiter20

[18majors]

Who'll set the new course record?

 

Hyo-Joo Kim and Mi-Jung Heo with'Course Records' play head-to-head on the first day of the Kia Classic [LPGA]

 

[BadgerLin]

And they’re off!  😁  This seems like the season is really underway now that just about everyone is back playing.  

[18majors]

13 minutes ago, BadgerLin said:

And they’re off!  😁  This seems like the season is really underway now that just about everyone is back playing.  

 

 

With the exception of my dear Jessica Korda!

[WestTex]

Gotta go with Sei Young. Very strong field though, tough call for sure.

[texcellence86]

Nelly, Charley & Mel are my all time favorites week in and week out.

[18majors]

It's been a while, IK!

 

[MagicClassic407]

My pick is Amy Olson or J Kupcho this week. And MWW to make the cut.

[Raving Shanker]

It's just so good to have a tournament on. It's been so stop-start!

 

My pick - outside the obvious big name players is Patty Tavatanakit. Love the balance in her swing.

 

Lexi and Lydia might be due.

[iotone]

I think I'll go out on a limb and pick So Yeon Ryu. Not sure how much she has been playing but just taking a chance here.

[Raving Shanker]

54 minutes ago, iotone said:

I think I'll go out on a limb and pick So Yeon Ryu. Not sure how much she has been playing but just taking a chance here.

She looked great in Korea last year - so this is a better tip than many would imagine!

[RVD90277]

I'll pick my favorite in the red pants...Sei Young Kim!

 

If I have to pick another, I'd take Jin Young Ko.

[quackhead]

Could get interesting first day.  Wind and rain in the forecast.

[Josh L.]

Good tournament for Wie to make her return IMO, pretty straight forward layout with multiple reachable par 5's. Don't think she'll contend but she has a great chance to make a cut and build some confidence. This is always a good week for the LPGA, wish there was a bit more coverage for it, great to see Taylor Made sending their content team down the street to Aviara instead of to Texas. 

[18majors]

The list of characters

 

[Seamus_McDuff]

On 3/23/2021 at 9:43 PM, preiter20 said:

I noticed on the LPGA website that Golf Channel will be online streaming nightly from 6 to 9 p.m.  An extra hour of coverage?

 

This is so silly. Why not give us the extra hour on tape delay?