Kia Classic seems like a major to most players
Leading players on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) are impatiently waiting for the Kia Classic to kick off, with some analysts saying that the level of enthusiasm for the event is making it seem like a major.
Kia Classic is slated to take place from March 22-25 at the famous La Costa Resort and Spa, with the current world number one Yani Tseng set to add yet another victory to her season.
Analysts said that major championships typically feature a strong field and players prepare for them all year round.
Although not a major event, Kia Classic has stirred interest among fans and players, which is evident from the fact that the field set for the tournament is as fearsome as any major championship.
Kraft Nabisco Championship is one of the major tournaments on the LPGA, which is going to be played from March 29 to April 1 at Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage, California.
The similarity between the major championship and Kia Classic is obvious, as both events are featuring the fields that contain a variety of players.
With professional players eager to make a name for themselves, there are a number of junior golfers who have been give a chance to prove their mettle.
The competitiveness of the field is evident from the fact that 49 out of the top-50 players in the LPGA money list are going to fight a tough battle at the Kia Classic.
Likewise, the same players will also be eyeing a victory at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Yani Tseng is likely to be a star performer at Kia Classic, given her stunning performance at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup. Tseng will be looking to repeat her magnificent form in the major championship as well.
Lexi Thompson, who is one of the young stars on the LPGA, said that she likes to play the Kia Classic because it falls just a week before the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
"La Costa is a great golf course," Thompson said. "It's in amazing shape for us and the greens are pretty small, rough is pretty deep, so you just have to keep it straight and place the ball on the green".
Sandra Gal, who won the last edition of the Kia Classic, is pretty confident to defend her title. Gal shared her thoughts about the event recently, saying she will try to do her best at the tournament.
She said that she never defended any title before, this is why she is feeling a bit under pressure.
"It's a little special situation, isn't it?" Gal said. "It's the first time for me defending a title, so I really don't know what to expect, but coming to a different course, I think takes a bit of pressure off. It just kind of feels like another tournament
that I've got to put my focus into".
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