Wednesday Preview - Kraft Nabisco Championship

The first major of the year on any tour takes place this week with the LPGA Tour's Kraft Nabisco Championship. The winner not only receives a lifetime of glory, but a leap into Poppie's Pond, one of the finest traditions in golf. Some like to compare this tournament to the Masters, but I have a tough time seeing anyone at Augusta National jumping into a lake when they win a green jacket.

Course: Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club. May be the best and most scenic course the ladies will play all season. The course plays to 6,500 yards, the biggest obstacle on this course are the bunkers. There are many of them, and they are deep. Putting will be absolutely key, as will keeping your head on your shoulders. Take it one hole at a time.

Field Strength: A. It is usually the best field of the year, but there has been one withdrawal that prevents this from being an A+ field.

Extra Tidbits: Suzann Pettersen has withdrawn from the tournament with a back injury. There was a question as to the severity of Pettersen's pain prior to the start of the Kia Classic, but there is no doubt now. You don't just SKIP this tournament. Pettersen's schedule following the Kraft Nabisco is now in question...This was the start of Inbee Park's massive 2013 season. She would dominate this event, then go on to win the LPGA Championship and the US Open to be the first woman since Babe Zaharias to win three majors in a row...Despite their domination of the sport over the past ten years, Koreans have only won three editions of the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Grace Park was the first to do so in 2004, and then there wasn't another one until 2012. Koreans, however, have won the last two.

Fantasy Four:

Lexi Thompson - I said at the beginning of the year that I thought Lexi was going to win a major this year, and this seems to be as good of an opportunity as any. Coming off a near victory at the Kia Classic. Does not have the best record here, but doesn't have a great record in any major venue. Distance off the tee should significantly shorten this course.

Inbee Park - Defending champion and Rolex Number One. Off to a good start this season after struggling down the stretch last year. Is trending in the right direction, which is rare for someone ranked number one.

Stacy Lewis - Continues to be a top 10 machine. Finished outside the top 10 only once this season. Champion here in 2011.

Lydia Ko - Not feeling as confident about Lydia as I did a few weeks ago, as she followed up her back 9 collapse at the Founders Cup with a relative no show at the Kia Classic. Still has the game to compete, and this course is set up perfectly for her ball flight. The question is never Ko's talent, but rather her temperament. 

(SLEEPER) Se Ri Pak - The only major (outside the newly crowned Evian Masters) that she has not won. Trending in the right direction, but her shoulder will always be a concern. Struggles putting four rounds together, but has avoided the big numbers lately. Perhaps the last best shot for Pak to finally claim this tournament.