This week in golf
What: Northern Trust Open
Where: Riviera Country Club (7,349 yards, par 71) in Los Angeles
When (TV): Thursday-Sunday (Golf Channel, CBS)
Purse: $6.6 million (winner's share: $1.19 million)
Defending champion: Bill Haas
LPGA TOUR
What: Women's Australian Open
Where: Royal Canberra Golf Club (6,679 yards, par 73) in Canberra, Australia
When (TV): Thursday-Sunday (Golf Channel)
Purse: $1.2 million (winner's share: $181,500)
Defending champion: Jessica Korda
CHAMPIONS TOUR
What: Ace Group Classic
Where: The TwinEagles Club, Talon Course (7,193 yards, par 72) in Naples, Fla.
When (TV): Friday-Sunday (Golf Channel)
Purse: $1.6 million (winner's share: $240,000)
Defending champion: Kenny Perry
NOTES
PGA Tour: Phil Mickelson, the 2008 and 2009 winner at Riviera, is playing for the fifth week in a row, but he is skipping the World Golf Championships-Match Play Championship next week in Marana, Ariz. He won the Phoenix Open two weeks ago for his 41st PGA Tour title. ... Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Adam Scott are making their season debuts. Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia are making their first PGA Tour starts of the year.
LPGA Tour: The Australian Open opened the LPGA Tour season. Teen star Lydia Ko shot a 10-under 63 on Thursday to take the early lead in the first round. The 15-year-old amateur won the New Zealand Women's Open on Sunday for her third victory in a professional tournament. ... At last year's event, Jessica Korda won a six-player playoff at Royal Melbourne for her first LPGA title, birdieing the second extra hole.
Champions Tour: Rocco Mediate won the Allianz Championship last week in Boca Raton, Fla., making him the 16th player to win in his debut in the 50-and-over tour. ... The tour is off the next three weeks.
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