The second major championship of the LPGA season took place at the ANA Inspiration from September 10–13. The 49th edition of the event and the 38th as a major, was held at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. The former champions in the field were Pernilla Lindberg, Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, and Inbee Park. Defending champion, Jin Young Ko, was not in the field due to travel restrictions related to Covid-19.
Nelly Korda got off to a quick start in round one, recording seven birdies and a bogey, finishing with a one-shot lead at six-under par. In Gee Chun and Madelene Sagstrom were at minus-five, while Danielle Kang and Brooke Henderson led a five-player group at four-under par. Lydia Ko and Brittany Lincicome were part of a 10-player group at minus-three. Great scoring conditions saw another 14, including Lexi Thompson, were at two-under par. Notables Ariya Jutanugarn and Jessica Korda were far off the pace at one and two over par, respectively.
The second round was much like the first, with Nelly Korda posting a five-under par round and 11-under total heading into the weekend. She held a two-shot advantage over the red hot Mirim Lee, who shot seven-under par on the day. Lexi Thompson was in the mix after a fine round of five-under par, putting her four off the pace. In Gee Chun and Kelly Tan were six back after 36 holes, while ten players, including Brooke Henderson and amateur Gabriela Ruffels, were at five-under. Notables Bronte Law, Gerina Piller, and Jessica Korda all missed the cut.
It was Brooke Henderson who made headlines on Saturday, blistering the course for a seven-under par round including an eagle and six birdies. Nelly Korda struggled to bogeys on back-to-back holes on the front, but rebounded for a round of 71 and was tied for the lead. Katherine Kirk, Mirim Lee, and Lexi Thompson were all right on the heels of the leaders at minus-ten. Eight other players were within five shots of the lead heading into the final round. Hianko Shibuno and Xiyu Lin both shot 67, vaulting them more then 30 places up the leaderboard, while Ariya Jutanugarn posted a 68, moving her up 23 spots.
The final round of play proved to be a three-horse race coming down to the wire. Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson both shot three under par to finish at 15-under. Lexi Thompson finished in sole possession of 4th at 13-under and Stacy Lewis was all alone in fifth at 10-under. Ariya Jutanugarn posted a stellar 66 and finished in a four-way group including Danielle Kang and amateur Rose Zhang at 8-under.
The dramatic finish
Mirim Lee recorded a dramatic eagle on the 18th to enter a three-way playoff with Korda and Henderson. She took the title in grand fashion by scoring a birdie on the first playoff hole.
The LPGA Tour heads to Portland, Oregon for the Cambia Portland Classic from September 17 –20. The ladies will play for a purse of $1.75 million and 500 points for the Race to the Globe. Hannah Green is the defending champion.
