"With the LPGA’s newly streamlined qualifying system that combines LPGA and Futures Q-Schools into three stages, the layers of confusion can be maddening."

/
Beth Ann Baldry tells the story of an LPGA Tour triple-bogey stemming from an LPGA Tour bogey, and well, it's complicated. But in a nutshell, amateurs can enter the LPGA's Futures Q-School, earn a card, but not be considered a pro until they are ready to turn.
Read More

Pro-Bono Classic Returns To LPGA, No Word On Purse

/

Thanks to Steven T. for this unbylined Arizona Republic story on the 2012 return of the LPGA's controversial RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.

The ladies will have to play an extra round...perhaps this means they'll get paid this year?

The tournament will be held March 13-18 and will expand from 54 holes to 72.

This year's tournament, won by Karrie Webb, was noteworthy in that LPGA players agreed to donate the $1 million purse to charity. There was no immediate word whether that will occur again next year.

"We are delighted to be hosting the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort," said Steve Hart, general manager and area vice president for Marriott. "The event last year was terrific and we look forward to a long relationship with RR Donnelley and the LPGA."

Catfight At Killeen Castle?

/

Lots of fun stuff in the Pond Scrum this week from Huggan and Elling, but no better visual than this:

Huggan: I have no idea what went on in the locker room, but I do have it on good authority that Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr had a bit of a ding-dong verbal joust late on Sunday night.

Creamer apparently felt that the lovely Cristie could have made more of an effort to play her match on Sunday, sore wrist or not.

Huggan: Of course, the way Paula played on Sunday, Cristie could have beaten her playing one-handed considering how Scotland's Catriona Matthew finished Creamer off.

Elling: Gee, you mean Paula wasn't won over by the sling that Kerr had on her arm later Sunday? Was no full-body cast available? Kerr is a princess and has always been. Not especially surprised by her inability or unwillingness to play.