LPGA

The LPGA Tour returns to La Costa Resort and Spa this week for the third-annual Kia Classic. Defending champion Sandra Gal will test her game on a new golf course after defeating Jiyai Shin by one stroke last season at Pacific Palms outside of Los Angeles. Gal, who fired rounds of 67-68-70-71, captured the victory with one of the season’s most dramatic shots, a clutch wedge from 83 yards to three feet for a birdie and the victory. She went on to earn five additional top-10 finishes in 2011.

The LPGA Tour returns to La Costa Resort and Spa this week for the third-annual Kia Classic.

La Costa Resort and Spa provided a picturesque backdrop for Kia Classic media day in Carlsbad, Calif. on Friday.

The partnership between Kia and the LPGA continues to grow with the announcement of the Kia Performance Awards. The awards, which will be presented at the season-ending CME Group Titleholders in November.

Sandra Gal has found her comfort zone. The 26-year-old German, who joined the LPGA Tour in 2008, became a Rolex First-Time Winner in March and notched four additional top-10 finishes in her 20 starts in 2011, including a runner-up finish at the season-ending CME Group Titleholders. After spending her first few years finding her footing on Tour, Gal is poised and ready to become an elite player.