By Golf Channel Communications
The LPGA Tour stages the first major of 2016 beginning Thursday, with the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Golf Channel will showcase the elite field live and in primetime, Thursday-Sunday, with Lydia Ko, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Stacy Lewis headlining the field.
Lincicome defends: Brittany Lincicome outlasted Stacy Lewis with a par on the third playoff hole for her second career major championship win.
In the field: Lydia Ko, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, Sei Young Kim, Ha Na Jang, Brooke Henderson, Amy Yang, In Gee Chun, Shanshan Feng and So Yeon Ryu.
ANA INSPIRATION
Dates: March 31-April 3
Venue: Mission Hills Country Club (Dinah Shore Tournament Course), Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday Noon-4 p.m. ; 7-9 p.m. (Live) / 12:30-3:30 a.m. (Friday replay)
Friday Noon-4 p.m. ; 7-9 p.m. (Live) / 2:30-5:30 a.m. (Saturday replay)
Saturday 5-9 p.m. (Live) / Midnight-4 a.m. (Sunday replay)
Sunday 5-9 p.m. (Live) / 1-5 a.m. (Monday replay)
Golf Channel Broadcast Team:
Play by Play: Terry Gannon
Analyst: Judy Rankin / Annika Sorenstam
Tower: Tom Abbott
On-Course: Jerry Foltz / Karen Stupples / Jim Gallagher Jr.
Interviews: Lisa Cornwell
Notes
The tournament, which was first held in 1972, has been played as a major since 1983.
On Wednesday, Golf Channel will air a special news conference show from 1:30-3 p.m. ET. Within the show (beginning at 2 p.m. ET), the Ladies European Tour (LET) will name the 2017 European Solheim Cup captain. The remainder of the show will focus on pre-tournament player news conferences from the ANA Inspiration, featuring defending champion Brittany Lincicome, and Stacy Lewis.
Following the conclusion of the ANA Inspiration, the top eight countries will be determined for this summer’s International Crown competition. The field of eight countries represented in the event will be decided on Monday, April 4, based on the combined world ranking of the current top-four players from each country. However, the players competing in the competition will not be finalized until Monday, June 13.