2015 Toto Japan Classic Storylines

LPGA Returns to Japan

The LPGA returns to Japan for the 37th edition of the Toto Japan Classic held at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in Shima-Shi, Mie. Throughout the years, several of the LPGA’s best have captured victories in Japan including; Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, Betsy King, Annika Sorenstam and a trio of former champs who are in the field this week, defending champ Mi Hyang Lee, Karrie Webb and Stacy Lewis.

As in the past, members of the JLPGA have been invited to compete in this year’s event as 35 members, including fromer champions Teresa Lu, Momoko Ueda and Jiyai Shin, will be teeing it up among the LPGA’s best.

My Hyang Lee Defends Her First LPGA Title

In 2014, Mi Hyang Lee stuffed her approach shot on the fifth playoff hole for a tap-in birdie and victory at the TOTO JAPAN CLASSIC. Lee outlasted past LPGA winner Ilhee Lee and Kotono Kozuma of the JLPGA to claim the win. The trio went into the playoff tied at 11-under, 205, a stroke clear of a group of nine players who finished at 10-under, including Karrie Webb, Dame Laura Davies, Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda.

End of Long Asia Swing For 21

The Toto Japan Classic will mark the end of a five event in five week Asian stretch for 21 golfers who competed in the four previous Asia events and are in the field this week. The 21 golfers are:

Several of the 21 have had impressive runs during the five tournament stretch including Eun-Hee Ji (two top-15 finishes), Yani Tseng (two top-5 finishes), and Mirim Lee (three top-20 finishes).

Last Chance To Qualify For CME

The Toto Japan Classic will represent the last chance for four golfers in the field - Marina Alex, Min Seo Kwak, Maria McBride and Kelly Shon - to qualify for the season ending CME Group Tour Championship, as none of the aforementioned golfers are in the field for next week’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

To qualify for the final event of the season, players must either finish in the top-72 in the Race to the CME Globe standings following next week’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational or win an official LPGA Tournament. Below are the current Race to CME Globe Standings for the four players on the outside looking in.

• Maria McBride - 74
• Marina Alex - 75
• Kelly Shon - 79
• Min Seo Kwak - 86

In addition to the four trying to get in, six golfers who are on the bubble will be looking to lock up their spots in the field in Naples, including six of the eight golfers ranked from 65-72 in the latest Race to CME Globe Standings. Below are the current Race to CME Globe Standings for the five players looking to hold onto their spots.

• Michelle Wie - 65
• Christina Kim - 66
• Jennifer Song - 68
• Ryann O’Toole - 69
• Beatriz Recari - 71
• Min Lee - 72

Race For $1 Million Heads Towards Home Stretch

With a mere three events remaining in the 2015 LPGA season, the focus ramps up on the second edition of Race to the CME Globe, where the winner will be determined in Naples, Fla., at the new CME Group Tour Championship.

Awaiting the weekend before Thanksgiving is a $1 million payout for the season-long points leader. The winner of the CME Group Tour Championship could also pocket $500,000.

For all remaining events without a cut (except for the Lorena Ochoa Invitational), points will be awarded to members who finish among the top 40 and ties. The Lorena Ochoa Invitational will award points to members who finish in the top 20 and ties.

Points will be reset for the CME Group Tour Championship to ensure that the points race will be won at the season- ending tournament. Reset Points will give top yearly performers an advantage but not guarantee victory. Players who finish in the top-3 following the Lorena Ochoa Invitational will control their own destiny and would earn the $1 million with a win at the CME Group Tour Championship, while players ranked 4-9 will have a mathematical shot at the million dollar prize.

This week a pair of players from outside of the top-9 - Hyo Joo Kim and Ha Na Jang - have a chance to earn their way into the top-9 with a victory.