The Loop

LPGA announces more changes to Founders Cup

February 11, 2011

No golf tournament may have had more changes made to it before the first tee shot was struck than the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, scheduled for March 18-20 at Wildfire GC in Phoenix, Ariz.

The LPGA announced Friday further alterations to the structure of the new event in which players will compete for a faux purse. Originally slated to be played for a $1.3 million imaginary purse with $500,000 being donated to charity, recently the LPGA said an additional $200,000 would be distributed to designated charities of the top five finishers.

Friday the event further evolved, with the LPGA saying the "purse" will be $1 million, with $500,000 going to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and $500,000 for charity distributed among the top 10 finishers in the tournament -- including $200,000 to the winner's charity of choice.

Several high-profile players -- including Paul Creamer and Morgan Pressel -- have questioned the format and the amount of charitable dollars being created by the event. LPGA commissioner Mike Whan admitted that he had made some missteps in getting the charity-focused event off the ground.

"I certainly could have done a better job of initially articulating the details to players and media, as that has led to some confusion about the tournament's goals and objectives," Whan said.

In another development designed to encourage participation in the Founders Cup, the Kraft Nabisco Championship will offer the top five finishers in Phoenix entry into the first major of the season.

-- Bill Fields