It’s time to make a run for the robe.
With the final week of March upon us, the LPGA Tour’s beloved first major of the season has arrived. The ANA Inspiration, held at the iconic Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., outside Palm Springs, gives the best women’s golfers in the world their first opportunity to become a major champion again this year.
It is a tournament with a vibrant and rich history, and player absolutely adore playing the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at the desert paradise. In addition to a massive first-place check and a beautiful trophy, the champion also gets to take home a cushy white robe after a traditional dip in Poppie’s Pond next to the 18th green, and it is one of the grandest traditions in all of golf.
Last year, it was Brittany Lincicome who took the plunge after besting Stacy Lewis on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff as the sun began to set over the mountains. Lincicome sank a dramatic eagle putt on her 72nd hole to catch Lewis and force the playoff, an eagle that was remarkably similar to the one that earned her the same major title in 2009.
Lewis was devastated after the near-miss, while Lincicome felt as if it was meant to be.
“I mean, to make eagle on any hole is pretty incredible, and then to do it on Sunday at a major, at this major where I did it in 2009, it’s really surreal,” Lincicome said after the huge win. “I feel like if you would have bet me all the money in the world to see how many times you could do it, if I went back to the fairway now I probably couldn’t hit that shot again. So, like I said earlier, today was my day. Somebody was looking out for me today.”
Lincicome has made the cut in all six tournaments in which she has played this season, but has not been near the winner’s circle. That certainly could change this week at a course she clearly loves, and a number of players are coming to town playing great golf.
Chief among them is world No. 1 Lydia Ko, who won the Kia Classic on Sunday by four strokes ahead of second-ranked Inbee Park. Park was the 2013 ANA Inspiration champion, and the seven-time major winner is always in the mix in major championships.
Another player to watch is Lexi Thompson, the 2014 ANA Inspiration champion who already has a win this season. There’s no doubt Lewis will arrive in Rancho Mirage with ample motivation after last year’s playoff loss and the two-time Rolex Player of the Year knows what it’s like to wear the robe as well after winning the prestigious tournament in 2011.
Sun Young Yoo (2012), Yani Tseng (2010), Morgan Pressel (2007), Karrie Webb (2006 and 2000) and Juli Inkster (1989 and 1984) are the other past ANA Inspiration champions who are teeing it up this weekend as part of an absolutely loaded field in the $2.6 million event. Fans watching in person and on Golf Channel will see a virtual “Who’s Who?” of the best in the women’s game today, and that should provide high drama on Sunday afternoon.
This week’s winner will also take the lead in the race for one of the most coveted prizes in women’s golf – the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award. Given to the player who performs best in the LPGA’s five major championships, the RAMA is one of the most difficult awards to earn because of the intensity of each major championship.
Park took home the award last year after winning two of the first four majors – the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the RICOH Women’s British Open – while Ko finished second in RAMA points after her triumph at The Evian Championship. Michelle Wie won the inaugural RAMA in 2014, and this week’s champion will be in the driver’s seat to secure the 2016 honor.
It’s major championship time, and only one question remains. Who wants to go for a swim?
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