Kraft Nabisco: 3 DQ'd for missing pro-am times

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Not only is the Kraft Nabisco Championship a major with a pro-am -- as are all the LPGA majors except the U.S. Women's Open -- it is a major with two pro-ams. As if that doesn't annoy players enough, the normal buzz on the range at Mission Hills escalated to a barely contained roar Wednesday morning when three players were disqualified for pro-am violations. Past KNC champion Helen Alfredsson, Maria Hjorth and Shanshan Feng were sent packing for missing their pro-am tee times.

Alfredsson and Hjorth were both alternates and were not on the tee on time to serve as fill-ins for players who withdrew. Feng was scheduled to be in the pro-am and joined her group after it teed off but was told she was outside the five-minute grace period window. Alfredsson was on site and eating breakfast when she found out she was needed, hurried to join her group on the second hole but was told she was also too late.

All three appealed their case.

--* Ron Sirak*