LPGA ARRIVES IN KOREA
The LPGA continues its Asia swing at the SKY72 Golf & Resort in Incheon, South Korea for the KEB Hana Bank Championship. This marks the third tournament among six consecutive competitions in the region.
Defending Champion Lexi Thompson posted 15-under for a winning total of 273 (68-67-69-69). On returning to Korea, Rolex Rankings No. 5 Thompson said, “It’s always nice to come back to Korea and play in front of the amazing fans here, and this golf course is in amazing shape for us again this year, so I’m really looking forward to the week.”
For some in the field this week, the tournament marks their first visit to Korea. Canadian Brooke Henderson is “really enjoying” her first time in Korea, including her first Korean dinner on Monday. For others, Korea holds a special place. Topping the Rolex Rankings for 51 weeks, Lydia Ko says, “It’s nice to be back in Korea, especially where it’s a place that I’m born, here in Korea.”
Nine of the top 10 players in the Rolex Rankings will be playing in this week’s tournament.
KOREA BY THE NUMBERS
Home to 34 active LPGA Tour players, Korea boasts the largest number of international players in the LPGA. (Thailand comes at a far second with 13 active LPGA players.) Among the 34 Korean players, 27 have secured an LPGA win. This includes Se Ri Pak who boasts 25 wins during her LPGA career, the highest tally among Korean players.
Among the top 10 players in the Rolex Rankings, six are from Korea: In Gee Chun (No. 3), Sei Young Kim (No. 6), Inbee Park (No. 7), Ha Na Jang (No. 8), Sung Hyun Park (No. 9), and Amy Yang (No. 10).
The previous two tournaments on this year’s Asia swing were won by Korean players In-Kyung Kim in Beijing and Ha Na Jang in Taipei.
Round 1 will include 32 players from Korea in a field of 78, including 12 players from the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA).
BEYOND THE SCORE
The World Golf Foundation (WGF) launches the Golf & Health Project on October 11. The Project will review the health and well-being benefits of golf, while driving more interest and participation in the sport. Global Ambassadors for the Project include LPGA players Annika Sorenstam (Sweden), Brooke Henderson (Canada), Ryann O’Toole (USA), and So Yeon Ryu (South Korea). The latter three players will be playing in this week’s tournament. More information about the Golf & Health Project can be at www.golfandhealth.org.
GOLF’S GLOBAL TOUR
The global influence of the LPGA Tour has been evident throughout the 2016 season. Nine different countries have been represented in the winner’s circle through 27 events this year, with South Korea leading the wins by country (nine wins by six different players).
Players from across the globe continue to shine on the highest stage. The five LPGA majors this year featured winners from five different countries.
The top-5 in the current Rolex Rankings also boast players from five different nations:
Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lydia Ko, New Zealand
Rolex Rankings No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn, Thailand
Rolex Rankings No. 3. In Gee Chun, South Korea
Rolex Rankings No. 4. Brooke Henderson, Canada
Rolex Rankings No. 5, Lexi Thompson, USA
RACE TO CME GLOBE ENTERS THE HOME STRETCH
The Race to the CME Globe is entering its home stretch with five events left to decide who will be competing for the $1 million dollar first prize at the CME Group Tour Championship.
The top 72 LPGA Members and those tied for 72nd on the Race to the CME Globe Points Standings, ranked in the order of their position on the standings at the conclusion of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational Presented by Banamex, will have earned their way into field at CME.
Once the players have qualified for the event, the points will reset. After the reset, the players in the top-3 positions on the Race to the CME Globe Points Standings will be able to win the Race to the CME Globe with a win at the Tour Championship. Additionally, the players in the top-9 positions will have a mathematical chance to win the race based on various scenarios.
With 13 top-10s and four wins, Lydia Ko (4,300 points) has a narrow lead on Ariya Jutanugarn (4,166 points) for first place through 26 events in 2016. Several notable players currently sit on the outside of the top-72 on the Race to CME Globe standings including Tiffany Joh (83), Simin Feng (85), Cheyenne Woods (96), and Michelle Wie (115).
Quick Facts
October 13 - 16
LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship SKY72 Golf & Resort, Ocean Course
Incheon, Korea
Field: 76 professionals, 2 amateurs
Format: 72-hole stroke play; no cut
Par: 72
Yardage: 6316
Purse: $2,000,000
Winner: $300,000
Defending Champion: Lexi Thompson
TV Times
Golf Channel
October 13 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
October 13 11:30 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
October 14 11:30 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
October 15 11:30 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
All times listed are Eastern (Korea is 13 hours ahead)
Sponsor Invitations (7)
Yoon Kyung Heo, KLPGA
Yu-Sang Hou (a)
Min Lee, LPGA
Ju Young Pak (Park), LPGA
Se Ri Pak, LPGA
Chae Yoon Park, KLPGA
Eun Jeong Seong (a)
Past Champions
2015: Lexi Thompson, 68-67-69-69=273 (-15)
2014: Kyu Jung Baek, 74-69-68-67=278 (-10)
2013: Amy Yang, 67-71-69 =207 (-9)
2012: Suzann Pettersen, 63-68-74=205 (-11)
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