England’s Trish Johnson and Stephanie Arricau from France make up two of the international invitations for this year’s first major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, held at Mission Hills Country Club in Arizona.
Johnson finished second on the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour (LET) order of merit behind Laura Davies in 2004 and is a six-time member of the European Solheim Cup Team. Arricau won twice on the LET last year and finished third in the order of merit and this year is her rookie season on the LPGA Tour.
Making up the remainder of the international invitations is Japan’s teenage sensation Ai Miyazato, who teamed with Rui Kitada to help Japan claim the inaugural Women’s World Cup of Golf at Fancourt. Miyazato won five events on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) and became the first teenager to earn 100 million yen in one season.
Joining Miyazato will be compatriot Yuri Fudoh, who was the top-ranked player on the JLPGA last year. Fudoh will be making her third appearance in the event with her best finish being a tie for 45th in 2002.
The event takes place from March 24-27 with a prize fund of $1.8million over the Par 72 6520-yard course and Grace Park from Korea will be defending her title.
