Fantasy Golf: Kia Classic Picks and Options
Look for Beth Allen to shine this week in a homecoming of sorts.
Let’s narrow the Group 2 list down to some of the players I see as stronger choices: Minjee Lee, Gerina Piller, Carlota Ciganda, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lang, Haru Nomura, and Beth Allen. As with Group 1, however, I look for just about everybody in Group 2 to make it to the weekend.
Minjee Lee got a little distracted last week at the Founders Cup but I look for her to be back on track this week.
Gerina Piller started the season with a bang at the Pure Silk Bahamas and hasn’t done much since except to always make the cut. She’s had mixed results at Aviara – 2 top 10 finishes, one of them last year – but also a missed cut.
Carlota Cignada plays well at Aviara – typically finishing inside the top 15, not missing the cut. This is a golf course she likes.
Cristie Kerr’s the 2015 Kia Classic champion – she knows how to work Aviara. She’s also recovering from knee surgery and while she’s playing golf I’m not sure she’s at 100%. I think she’s trying to get there by next week.
Brittany Lang is having a so-so season. She hasn’t missed any cuts but it feels like she hasn’t kicked into gear yet. She’s running out of time if she want to be tuned up for Rancho Mirage. Her recent record at the Kia Classic is much like Ciganda’s. I look for her to stay in the game through Sunday, but a high finish isn’t likely.
Haru Nomura has also had mixed recent results at the Kia Classic but she’s delivering a solid game this season and she looks like the best of the six who have a history at Aviara.
With all that said, I’m tapping Beth Allen for my team. For the San Diego native, playing Aviara will be a homecoming of sorts. Allen’s been playing on the Ladies European Tour where she’s collected 3 victories in 2015 and 2016. She also won the LET Order of Merit last year. The Kia Classic will be her 3rd 2017 start. I’m looking for Allen to stake a claim this week.