To say Mirim Lee earned her first career LPGA victory the hard way last year would be an understatement.

The rookie out-dueled one of the world’s best players, Inbee Park, with a birdie on the second playoff hole at the Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft to realize a dream and become a Rolex First-Time Winner. She went on to win again and add two other top-10 finishes last season and finished 14^th on the money list with nearly $1 million in earnings.

This week, she’s back at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Mich., looking for a successful title defense after putting together a solid first half of the season. In 16 events, Lee has four top 10s, has banked more than $500,000 and holds down the No. 17 spot on the LPGA money list.

Another win this week at the $2 million tournament would be a huge boost for the Republic of Korea native, and she no doubt will be eager to once again tackle the par-71, 6,414-yard course. That will be no easy task, as a stellar field will tee it up in the 72-hole, second-year event.

Park, the current world No. 1, will be back trying to earn her fourth victory of the season, and last week’s champion, Chella Choi, will also be between the ropes this weekend in Michigan. Other 2015 tournament winners in this week’s field include Brittany Lincicome, Amy Yang, Cristie Kerr, Minjee Lee and Anna Nordqvist.

Golf fans will also have the chance to see Tour stars like Azahara Munoz, Morgan Pressel, Juli Inkster, Angela Stanford and Lexi Thompson compete this weekend. In addition, seven-time LPGA champion Michelle McGann is making her first Tour appearance since 2010, which should be another treat for LPGA fans.

The Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft is the last event before the season’s fourth major – the RICOH Women’s British Open – which will take place next week in Turnberry, Scotland. Not only will players be focused on chasing town a tournament title, but they will also be looking to tune up their games before taking a trip across the pond for one of the sport’s most treasured events.

One of the Tour’s newest additions, the tournament was a grand success last year, and with a $200,000 purse increase and another great field, it should be another awesome week in the Great Lakes State. Golf Channel will broadcast coverage from all four rounds, so the LPGA’s fans who aren’t lucky enough to be there in person can check out all the action from start to finish.

Lee set for first of two title defenses of 2015

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