LPGA: Winners in good company

This much can said with certainty about the LPGA's annual visit to Kingsmill Resort: No journeymen need apply.

The $2.2 million Michelob Ultra Open, widely regarded as the LPGA's fifth major, produces formidable champions with remarkable regularity. Since its debut in 2003, the tournament has crowned six winners. Three are members of the LPGA and World Golf halls of fame. Each of the others owns at least five career victories, at least one of which is a major.

Simply put: Hangers-on tend not to fare well on Kingsmill's 6,315-yard River Course -- certainly not well enough to collect the big check and the crystal trophy on Sunday afternoon.

Karrie Webb, who shot 14 under while winning by seven strokes in 2006, said much of the credit -- or much of the blame, depending on your point of view -- belongs to the course.

"In my opinion, and in the opinion of a number of the other girls, this is without question the best course we play on a regular basis," Webb said. "It brings out the best in you. It can be challenging -- it can be very challenging, actually -- if you're not hitting the ball well when you get here."

Tournament director Wayne Nooe echoed Webb's assessment. The River Course's ryegrass rough thrives in Williamsburg's damp, mild springs, Nooe said. Typically, it is permitted to reach 3½ to 4 inches in preparation for the LPGA's arrival. That being so, Nooe said, length and accuracy off the tee are invaluable allies.

"Look at our champions," Nooe said. "Each of them was at the top of her game when she won, and most of them were among the [tour's] longest hitters. Whether it's a function of our rough, which tends to be very healthy, I don't know. But you can draw the conclusion, definitely, that the course favors a long, accurate hitter."

Moreover, Nooe said, the layout's 2004 makeover, overseen by architect Pete Dye, created putting surfaces that test the ability and confidence of even the best players. Nooe described the greens as "very subtle. There's a tendency, I think, for a lot of players to overread them."

Annika Sorenstam, arguably the finest female player of her generation, struggled for several years to unlock the secrets of Kingsmill's greens. Nooe said Sorenstam's caddie, Terry McNamara, arrived ahead of schedule last year.

"He told me, 'I'm going to figure these greens out.'"

Apparently he was successful. Sorenstam won the 2008 tournament with an event-record score of 265, 19 under par.

Players agree that the combination of an elite field -- never have fewer than 47 of the top 50-ranked players teed off on opening day at Kingsmill -- and a lovely but demanding course creates a consistently unforgiving environment.

Said heralded rookie Michelle Wie, who competed here in 2004 and 2008: "I know this: When you play here, you definitely have to bring your 'A' game."

Sometimes, even future hall of famers are more frustrated than fulfilled when they depart on Sunday afternoon. Lorena Ochoa, the world's top-ranked player and a two-time LPGA player of the year, has never won here. She has finished second on three occasions.

"I've been so close -- I don't have a reason to change anything," Ochoa said. "I hope this is my time. I'll just play my same golf. Hopefully, I'll get off to a good start [today] and just go on from there."