Wednesday Preview - JTBC Founders Cup

The LPGA plays in the United States for the first time this season as the top players on Tour head to Phoenix in what was formally known as the RR Donnelley Founders Cup until this season. The tournament is designed to honor the founders of the LPGA Tour and those who blazed a trial, with this years honorees being Kathy Whitworth and Renee Powell.

Course: JW Marriott Desert Ridge. It's a...golf course. Expect birdies in bunches.

Strength Of Field: A. With the exception of some of the players who play primarily on the Asian tours, the top players in the world are here. With there being less opportunities for the ladies to play as there is on the men's tour, most of the players play as many events as they can.

Extra Tidbits: The very first edition of this event was played without a purse, as the winner received an official win and a donation in their name. After many of the players complained, the purse is now given to the players. It is customary now for the winner to donate a portion of the check to charity...Cheyenne Woods is given a special exemption into the field this week. While I am normally opposed to special exemptions to players who may not have earned them, the fact that they are honoring Renee Powell this week makes it feel poetic in a way...Stacy Lewis is the defending champion. She received a two shot penalty on Saturday and looked as if she had handed the tournament to Ai Miyazato, but a terrific final round coupled with a Miyazato collapse gave Lewis the victory and vaulted her to number one in the world at that time.

Fantasy Four

Paula Creamer - The question was how long it would take for her to win again. Now that that question has been answered, we can now go back to referring to her as one of the top players in the game. Should content every week, and may knock out a few more victories this season.

Stacy Lewis - Defending champion. I pay not attention to her top 10 streak going down in the last tournament. She is still the most consistent player in tour, even if she doesn't win as often as she should.

Inbee Park - Winner last week in China. Jet leg is my only concern with Inbee, who seems to be hitting the stride she found around this same time last year.

Lydia Ko - Has notched a Top 25 in every event she has played this season, and is entering the tournament well rested. Has a stranglehold on the Rookie Of The Year race, and will likely increase that lead as the season goes on. Wants to play well heading into the Kraft Nabisco, where she will be considered among the favorites.

(SLEEPER) Azahara Munoz - How will she rebound following her loss in the playoff in Singapore? Struggled leading into Singapore, but may have turned a corner. Seems to have all the intangibles of a player who should win in bunches, but has not performed to those expectations.