Major championship golf returns to the California desert this week at the famed Dinah Shore Course at Mission Hills Country Club for the 48th staging of the ANA Inspiration.
The 112-player field includes the top 25 players in the Rolex Women’s Golf Rankings and all seven winners from this season, competing for a $3 million purse and the chance to hoist the Dinah Shore Trophy and make the leap into Poppie’s Pond at week’s end.
In 2018, five different players from five countries won the five LPGA majors, but none of those wins was more dramatic than that by Pernilla Lindberg. The Swede picked up her first professional victory at the 2018 ANA Inspiration after a marathon eight-hole, two-day playoff with seven-time major winner Inbee Park.
11 past ANA Inspiration champions are competing this week, including: Juli Inkster (1984, 1989), Lydia Ko (2016), Stacy Lewis (2011), Brittany Lincicome(2009, 2015), Pernilla Lindberg (2018), Inbee Park (2013), Morgan Pressel(2007), So Yeon Ryu (2017), Lexi Thompson (2014), Yani Tseng (2010) and Karrie Webb (2006, 2000).
THE SKINNY
Tournament: ANA Inspiration
Dates: April 4-7, 2019
Where: Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Course: Mission Hills Country Club, Dinah Shore Tournament Course
Distance: Par 72, 6,763 yards
Architect: Pete Dye
Format: 72-holes, stroke play, 36-hole cut
Purse: $2,800,000
Winning Share: $420,000
Defending Champion: Pernilla Lindberg
TV AND ONLINE
Rd 1: Thu 12-4:00 pm, 7-9:00 pm (GOLF)
Rd 2: Fri 12-4:00 pm, 7-9:00 pm (GOLF)
Rd 3: Sat 5-9:00 pm (GOLF)
Rd 4: Sun 5-9:00 pm (GOLF)
HISTORY
What was originally an event started in 1972 based around the popular entertainer and golf enthusiast Dinah Shore has grown through the years, becoming an LPGA major in 1983.
Shore’s influence is still heavily felt, as the tournament is contested on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course and the winner’s trophy still carries Dinah Shore’s name. Shore was among those who have participated in one of the event’s most recognizable traditions, a jump into “Poppie’s Pond” beside the 18th green for the champion (and frequently, her caddie and several others.)
Many of the biggest names in the history of women’s golf have been champions of the event through the years, including Annika Sorenstam, Betsy King and Amy Alcott — all three-time winners of the event — and, more recently, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lincicome (twice), Lydia Ko and 2018 champ, So Yeon Ryu.
The title sponsor is ANA, more formally known as All Nippon Airways. It is the largest airline in Japan, with more than 20,000 employees.
TOURNAMENT NAMES
2015-19: ANA Inspiration
2002-14: Kraft Nabisco Championship
2000-01: Nabisco Championship
1983-99: Nabisco Dinah Shore
1982: Nabisco Dinah Shore Invitational
1981: Colgate-Dinah Shore
1972-80: Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle
RECENT WINNERS
2018: Pernilla Lindberg (-15)
2017: So Yeon Ryu (-14)
2016: Lydia Ko (-12)
2015: Brittany Lincicome (-9)
2014: Lexi Thompson (-14)
2013: Inbee Park (-1o5)
2012: Sun-Young Yoo (-9)
2011: Stacy Lewis (-13)
Visit LPGA.com for more coverage.
