Kia Classic
The JTBC Classic Presented by Barbasol, formerly the Kia Classic, is a women's professional golf tournament in Southern California on the LPGA Tour. It debuted in 2010 at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, then moved north for a year in 2011 to the Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms in the City of Industry in Los Angeles County. The tournament returned to La Costa in 2012 and moved to Aviara Golf Club, also in Carlsbad, for 2013.
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Carlsbad, California, U.S. |
| Established | 2010 |
| Course(s) | Aviara Golf Club |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,609 yards (6,043 m) |
| Tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play - 72 holes |
| Prize fund | $1.5 million |
| Month played | March |
| Tournament record score | |
| Aggregate | 268 Cristie Kerr (2015) 268 Mirim Lee (2017) |
| To par | −20 as above |
| Current champion | |
| Atthaya Thitikul | |
In 2022, the title sponsor of the tournament changed to JTBC (Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company), a South Korean nationwide pay television network.
The winner of the inaugural tournament was Hee Kyung Seo, a member of the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA). She became the 19th non-LPGA member in LPGA Tour history to win an LPGA Tournament and the first to win as a sponsor exemption since Jin Joo Hong won the KOLON-Hana Bank Championship in South Korea in October 2006. With the win, Seo became immediately eligible for LPGA membership and was a rookie on the LPGA Tour in 2011.
In 2011, the event was decided by the final pairing on the final green. With both players tied at 15-under, Sandra Gal hit a wedge to within two feet (0.6 m) of the hole and Jiyai Shin was four feet (1.2 m) out. Gal made hers for birdie to win her first LPGA event by a stroke.