My hopes for an old guys-and-gals revival this weekend were dashed as Juli Inkster faltered in the final round of the HSBC Champions, shooting a 74 and finishing ninth. Ay Miyazato won with a three under 69, and a two stroke victory over Christie Kerr.

Miyazato became the first player in 44 years to win the two opening events of the LPGA season. The others were Marilynn Smith (1966), Mickey Wright (1963), Louise Suggs (1952) and Babe Zaharias (1951). That’s pretty good company for Miyazato.

Interestingly, though, Miyazato has not won on American soil. The first tournament of the season was in Thailand; the HSBC was in Singapore. Miyazato’s only other victory was the Evian Masters, in France.

Fred Couples, my other 50-year-old hope, has fallen into 23rd at the Phoenix Open. The only upside is that I’m now free to cheer for my Fantasy Golf picks instead of my sentimental favorites.

Juli Inkster turns 50 this year, and I was under the impression that she was retired. Apparently not. She’s currently tied for third at the HSBC Women’s Championship.

Following a year of bleeding sponsors, the LPGA has added a new one: Kia Motors. The South Korean Car company will sponsor the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf, on March 22 - 28 at the La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego.

This follows the company’s first Super Bowl TV ads, becoming the official Auto of the NBA and inking a deal with Michelle Wie.

Kia’s involvement in the LPGA makes perfect sense, given South Koreans’ dominance of that tour.

The J Golf is a company that broadcasts LPGA events in South Korea.

Under new Commissioner Michael Whan, the LPGA seems to be stabilizing. Wegmans groceries filled in for the departing McDonald’s as sponsor of the LPGA Championship in June. And a new event, the Sybase Match Play has been added. Yet another event, this one in South Korea, will be sponsored by Hana Bank.

The Bermuda Open has taken a new tack for next month’s tournament at Port Royal by inviting Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer and other top ranked female players. They would compete against the men from the same tees, and for the same purse.

Unfortunately, the purse is just $50,000.

Still, it’s a nice idea, and you have to believe that Gulbis or Creamer would have a very good chance of winning. It’s not like there are going to be a lot of top flite PGA Tour —or even Nationwide Tour players in attendance. And your average club pro or accomplished amateur would be hard pressed to compete against seasoned touring pros of any sex.

The Ladies European Tour’s recently announced schedule will feature 27 events, four more than last year, with stops in 20 countries.

Meanwhile, the LPGA’s 2010 schedule will have 24 events, down three from last year. Thirteen of those will be in the US.

I have no idea what the total of the purses are on the two tours, but it occurs to me that in total they may not be far off.

While there has been some speculation that the LPGA may merge with the PGA Tour, I wonder if a better solution would be to merge with the Ladies European Tour. They could collectively eliminate the weakest venues and end up with 35 interesting events. It also would strengthen the quality of competition and perhaps make the entire thing more interesting to television.

Having Sophie Sandolo as a regular on television wouldn’t hurt.

How about this slogan: The World’s Most Beautiful Athletes On The World’s Most Beautiful Courses.