Navistar LPGA Classic Preview

The LPGA kicks off its fall stretch run Thursday morning at the Navistar LPGA Classic Presented by Monaco RV.  For the fourth consecutive year the Senator Course at Capitol Hill will be the site.  Lorena Ochoa won her final Tour event here last year, defeating Michelle Wie and Brittany Lang by four strokes.  In fact, Ochoa would have been a two-time defending champ as she also won this event in 2008.  Maria Hjorth won the inaugural Classic in 2007.

The Senator Course is a links layout, surprising given that in nearly all other respects Montgomery, Alabama is about as distant from Scotland as one could get.  While that remark is not intended as a slam of the Heart of Dixie's capital - your opinion of Scotland figures in that assessment, too - keep in mind the fact that I do live in Georgia.  Back to the course, please.... There are 150 pot bunkers scattered across the 18 holes so accuracy to the fairways and greens will be paramount.  Also, the entire state had been without rain for quite a while until early last week so expect the fairways to yield extra roll.

As The Constructivist has been pointing out at Mostly Harmless, many of the Tour's best are skipping Navistar.  While we have only our third-worst Field Score of 2010 (Farr 62, Tres Marias 66), five of my current Top 10 are absent.  This does open the door for more players of lower status to make the field and improve their positions for 2011.  I spelled out the money list races for the Top 80, 100 and 125 last week and will keep a close eye on those players as they try to make the cut and boost their totals.  I hope that while the gallery will surely be disappointed in the lesser superstar turnout, they will appreciate and support the efforts of the players who are fighting to keep their cards.