LPGA's Solid Fields

Sports Network put out its little teaser for this week's LPGA Longs Drugs Challenge out in Cali-forn-i-a. Consider this from the piece:

The LPGA travels to California this week for the 12th annual Longs Drugs Challenge, where 15 of the top 20 players in the world rankings are scheduled to compete. Only two top-10 players -- No. 3 Annika Sorenstam and No. 8 Ji-Yai Shin -- won't be in the field.

Really? We're into October and the LPGA Tour is still producing strong fields. This is good stuff, especially considering that the ladies are not playing for four straight $7 million purses under some form of durress (FedEx Cup).

Understand that the LPGA Tour season begins about a month to a month and a half later than the PGA Tour. Even still, the LPGA will be producing good fields into November when their season concludes. The schedule is shorter, giving fewer opportunities for players to make money. Fewer chances, combined with tournament participation requirements, encourages players to tee it up more often. Nevermind this forced playoff stuff on the PGA Tour. The LPGA Tour is doing the right thing by simply having a less crowded schedule. It's a great concept.