Major key alert
The GIST: The LPGA season kicks into high gear today with the first of five majors of the year: the ANA Inspiration. Time for us to wax poetic about one of our favorite traditions in sports.
How it works: Held annually at Mission Hills Country Club in California, the ANA Inspiration winner (and sometimes her caddie) traditionally takes a post-round dip in the course’s 18th hole pond, called Poppie’s Pond, and is then presented with a plush robe and a trophy. It’s too cute!
- Most of the world’s top golfers are participating this weekend, including last year’s champ Mirim Lee (whose belly-flopping caddie joined her in the water).
Who to watch: Along with Lee, American Nelly Korda and Canadian Brooke Henderson — who Lee beat in a three-way playoff last year — are back to try again. The defending champs from last season’s other three majors are in contention, too: Sophia Popov, Kim A-lim and 2020 LPGA Player of the Year Kim Sei-young.
- Jessica Korda (Nelly’s sister and recent tour winner) is also playing, making it a busy weekend for the Korda family: their tennis pro brother Sebastian is playing in tonight’s Miami Open quarterfinal. How do you like them genes?
- And if that’s not enough golf, you can also watch future ANA Inspiration winners take part in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which starts today too.
Enjoying this article? Want more?
Sign up for The GIST and receive the latest sports news straight to your inbox three times a week.