It's 2020 already, and the LPGA have kicked off their year. So we need a new thread.

Normally I dislike Pro-Am and/or Pro-Celeb formats, but this one was more interesting than usual. Firstly, the celebs were mainly scratch markers (or better), and they played from the same tees as the women.

In one way the comparison made the women look boring, because many of the men hit it way past the ladies. The former tennis player Mardy Fish hit the risk/reward 330yd hole with his drive, while his playing partner Inbee Park was 100 yards short. But the ladies were all going 5 and 6 under for the round, and 12 under for the tournament, while the winning celeb, John Smoltz, was the only one under par. So you also got to see how good professional women compare to high quality men amateurs.

The other point of interest (or lack thereof) was the playoff. Tournament organisers never learn. We got to see players hitting hybrid and long iron to 40 feet and making par time after time on the same hole, just so the corporate crowd in attendance at the 18th could see a winner. In the end they didn't, because after 5 holes of dull, boring par golf on a hard hole it got too dark to continue. i really wish all playoffs would not just play the same hole over and over, and just as importantly, it should be on easy holes so we can cheer birdies rather than wait for the loser to lose with a three putt. Yawn. Rant over.

Unfortunately, we have to watch another Florida tournament before they come to Australia next month, where the golf is likely to be much more interesting.