Champions Hole by Hole

"I think this is one of the best starting holes on Tour. It’s a driving hole, forcing you to hit over water and avoid the bunker on the right. If the wind is blowing, the drive becomes even more complicated. The approach shot is not nearly as difficult on a calm day as it is when the wind is blowing. The green has two tiers, which can complicate your approach shot if the pin is in the back."
--Kristi Albers

"The second hole is a long par four that generally plays into the wind. You have fairway bunkers on the left and water on the right, so accuracy off the tee is key. An open entrance into the green allows plenty of room with the long iron approach shot."
--Betsy King

"The third hole is a good par three. The green is not very large, so a shot to the middle of this green will give you a birdie putt wherever the pin is located. Getting the ball to the middle of the green is premium."
--Chris Johnson

A wetland and sand bunker on the left challenge those trying to cut too much off this dogleg left. A short approach shot must avoid a large sand bunker on the right and a small pot bunker to the left.

"The first of four challenging par fives. A sculptured lake lines the entire right side of the hole and comes into play on all three shots to the green. A series of sand bunkers pinch the left side of the second landing area and approach to the green"
--Mickey Wright

"Pin position and wind conditions will dramatically influence the difficulty of this beautiful par three. Aim for the center of the green."
--Betsy Rawls

"The landing area of this open par four is framed by sand bunkers on the left and right. Three putts are likely if the approach shot does not come to rest on the tier containing the pin."
--Dottie Pepper

"The key to a good score on this hole is to put the ball in the fairway, but even then, the player’s work has just begun. The second shot to a severely contoured green must be controlled in order to place the ball on the same level as the hole location. Otherwise, the player is looking at three putts or more."
--Carol Mann

"The landing area for the tee shot is fairly wide, so the player can try to hit a big drive, remembering that a drive on the left side of the fairway opens up to the hole. The player then has the choice of going for the green in two or laying up between fairway bunkers. The green is protected by two bunkers in the front, and a rear pin placement makes it difficult to put the ball close because of the tier on the back of the green."
--Beth Daniel

"This is not a long hole, but a pivotal one to start your back nine. It is very important to hit the fairway; left center is ideal. From there, you are in position to have a short iron to the green. The second shot to the green is elevated which makes it look like a smaller target. Distance, control and accuracy are most important. Once you are on the green, trusting your line and stroke is key to putting this green well. Good luck and think one putt!"
--Pat Bradley

"This hole asks the player to shape the tee shot from left to right. Driving in position is a necessity, setting up a second shot that is made complicated by the bunker protecting the green on the left. It forces you to get the ball up in the air and spin it in order to get close to the pin."
--Val Skinner

"A serpentine bunker and wetland define the left of the driving area. Support mounds on the right provide a target and containment for tee shots. The approach shot will be short into a smallish and well protected green."
--Patty Sheehan

"A strong par five test. Water and sand on the right encourage play to the left on the first and second shots. A ramped entry into the green allows a bump and run approach, avoiding deep bunkers on both sides of the green. An approach shot missed to the right will be in the lake."
--Michelle McGann

"A visually striking and challenging par three. A shot missed short and left must be played from a deep sahara bunker on to an undulating green surface."
--Kathy Whitworth

"Two well struck shots are required to reach this long par four. An approach into the left of the green avoids the gaping bunker protecting the right front of the green surface."
--Sherri Steinhauer

The 16th hole is said to be one of the hardest par 4s down the stretch. It is a crucial driving hole because you have water on the left and fairway bunkers all the way down the right side. It is a challenging approach shot to an elevated green.

"The 17th hole is a good par three. It is one of the better finishing holes on the Tour. It demands a good tee shot into a green that is often played against the wind."
--Pat Hurst

"When I won in 1997, I needed to make par on the final hole during the final round. If I had gone in the water, it would have cost me a shot. Needing to make my par, my bailout was to go right into the bunker, which forced me to lay up on the second shot for a relatively short sand wedge shot. It is truly a par five that makes for an exciting conclusion for a close golf tournament. It is a reachable par five, but you must drive the ball well and take a chance skirting the water on the left."
--Tammie Green

During the tournament, this hole is played as a par five. For everyday play, the hole plays as a par four. The yardage during the tournament is a 452 yard par five.