The LPGA "Playoffs"

Jeff Shain comments on the silliness of the LPGA's "ADT Playoffs," and like the FedEx Cup, it sounds a bit odd.
With a few breaks, next month's ADT Playoffs might end with three players laying claim to ``champion'' status.

Tradition, of course, gives the title to the player atop the money list. But with the ADT winner cashing $1 million and second place $100,000, the list could get skewed.

There's also a Player of the Year points race, which places the ADT on the same level as its four majors.

And now to add to the confusion, the LPGA has resolved the ADT winner will be declared the ``season champion'' - much like the Heat was the NBA's last team standing.

Got it all straight?

``I think we are all questioning that,'' said Annika Sorenstam, taking a wait-and-see stance during a teleconference with reporters. ``Let us see how it turns out.''

The Player of the Year race is its tightest in years, a four-player chase among front-running Lorena Ochoa, Karrie Webb, Sorenstam and Cristie Kerr.

Meanwhile, any of seven players could top the money list with a $1 million payday - a number that could go up or down in upcoming weeks.

But suppose someone outside those seven - Morgan Pressel? - won the ADT with Webb second and Ochoa eliminated after 54 holes.

Webb would move past Ochoa on the points list but not the money list, while Pressel would reign as ``season champion.''

Voila! Three champions. The only element lacking would be Don King.