Click here for the complete field at the 2016 JTBC Founders Cup.
Strong Field in Phoenix
16 of the top-20 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are in the field this week at the JTBC Founders Cup. World No.1 Lydia Ko and No.2 Inbee Park lead the way but No.3 Lexi Thompson is absent this week, leaving No.4 Stacy Lewis as the top-ranked American in the field. Canada’s Brooke Henderson makes her debut at this week’s event, currently ranked No.10 in the world.
Been There, Won That
All four players who have hoisted the trophy at the JTBC Founders Cup return this week, including defending champion Hyo Joo Kim who captured her second title on the LPGA Tour with her victory in Arizona last season. Karrie Webb is a two-time winner in Phoenix, clinching the title in 2011 and 2014. Former world No.1 Yani Tseng won in 2012 and Stacy Lewis captured the title in 2013. After winning, Lewis finished runner-up in both 2015 and 2014.
Looking For More Hardware
Three of the four winners so far in 2016 will tee it up this week in Phoenix. Ha Na Jang will look to pick up her third title of the year, having already captured the Coates Golf Championship and HSBC Women’s Champions. Haru Nomura won the first event of her career at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in February and will look to crack the top-20 for the first time in Phoenix. Hyo Joo Kim will be back to defend her title this week, having already picked up one win this season at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. Honda LPGA Thailand champion Lexi Thompson is not in the field this week.
Return of the Veterans
Laura Davies hasn’t missed teeing it up in Phoenix since the inception of the JTBC Founders Cup in 2011 and she’s teeing it up again this year. Her best finish came in a T-15 in 2014. Juli Inkster is also in the field this week, making her fifth start in Phoenix. Her best finish came in a T-18 in 2013.
Second WD For Chun
2015 U.S. Women’s Open Champion In Gee Chun has withdrawn for the second consecutive week from the JTBC Founders Cup. The rookie withdrew prior to the start of the HSBC Women’s Champions due to a back injury she suffered after being hit by an errant suitcase in the airport ahead of the event in Singapore. Chun has yet to finish outside the top-3 in 2016 and is currently leading the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings.
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