When the Golf Channel was looking for a golfer to mike up for its coverage of today's first round of the McDonald's LPGA Championship, Christina Kim seemed the ideal choice.
The 25-year-old Korean-American had an impressive seventh-place finish at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the season's first major. She's in fifth place in the U.S. Solheim Cup Team point standings. And, perhaps most important, the San Jose, Calif., native is plenty animated and was willing to participate.
"All things combined, she's a natural," said Golf Channel producer Beth Hutter, who came up with the idea of having a player miked up during a round of golf.
Hutter saw other sports provide unique insights for their viewers - interviewing baseball managers in the dugout, basketball coaches courtside - and thought the Golf Channel could bring that experience onto the course. Kristy McPherson was the first golfer to be miked up during the first round of the Corning Classic in May.
"She talked about what she ate for dinner the night before and joked with her caddie how Michelle Wie out-hit her by 50 yards," Hutter said. "It was very well received."
Help the hungry: Watch golf
The McDonald's LPGA Championship and Tyson Foods have come together to fight hunger by having a "Fill-A-Truck" drive during the tournament's second day Friday.
Anybody who brings four nonperishable items will receive free admission to the tournament Friday. The donated food will be distributed through the Harford Community Action Agency and the Maryland Food Bank.
Tyson's, the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, kicked off the drive by donating more than 30,000 pounds of food.
Pressel causes Twitter stir
Morgan Pressel enjoys doing her own tweeting, whether she's cheering on her beloved Detroit Red Wings or announcing that she has changed drivers.
This week, the 21-year-old had her fans baffled when she quoted a line from the Will Ferrell movie Step Brothers.
She wrote: "This year, I got this mikimoto pearl necklace, but next year I'm going to ask Santa for breast implants. ... because I'm impatient with my body."
The star golfer was quick to respond to the 3,800-plus inquiries she received from her followers, stating: "Haha apparently some people haven't been paying attention that I'm watching stepbrothers! I'm not getting breast implants."
Pressel is a strong supporter in the fight against breast cancer through her charity, Morgan and Friends.
Chip shots
South Korean In-Kyung Kim, who captured last week's State Farm Classic with a gutsy performance Sunday, held off any celebrations in order to prepare for this week's major. By week's end, Kim hopes to have two more reasons to celebrate: She turns 21 on Saturday and would like to make it two wins in a row. ... The consensus among golfers this week is that the course is soft and in good shape. There are, however, concerns about the thick fairway rough. The weather forecast calls for a chance of thunderstorms today, Friday and Sunday.
