The LPGA Tour headed to Los Angeles, California for the third year of the LPGA HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open. The 72-hole format was played at the Wilshire Country Club, which is a par 71 layout of 6450 yards. A $1.5-million purse and 500 points towards Race to the CME Globe were at stake. Minjee Lee was the defending champion, winning by four strokes over Sei Young Kim.
First Round
Jessica Korda jumped to the lead over 18 holes with a round of 64 that included eight birdies and a bogey. She held a one-shot lead over Tiffany Chin and Moriya Jutanugarn, who had ten birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. An impressive five-player group at five-under par included Nelly Korda, Austin Ernst, and Carlota Ciganda. Among a large group of eight at four-under par were Jin Young Ko, and Sei Young Kim. Fourteen players were only four shots back, including Jennifer Kupcho, Jeongeun Lee6, and Hall of Famer Inbee Park. Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie West were at one-under. On a day when scoring conditions were excellent, 43 players broke par. Notables included Ariya Jutanugarn at even, Mirim Lee at two-over, Patty Tavatanakit at four-over, and Lydia Ko at seven-over.
Second Round
Despite rounds of 65 by Jin Young Ko and 66 by Sei Young Kim, first-round leader Jessica Korda extended her lead. She shot a round of 65 and was at thirteen-under, three clear of Ko and four ahead of Kim. Brooke Henderson was in striking distance heading into the weekend after four birdies on the final five holes left her five shots back. She was tied with 43-year-old Angela Stanford. Inbee park was one of four at six-under and MoriayJutanugarn and Jeongeun Lee6 were eight back at five-under.
Nelly Korda was 10 back after a two-over par round of 73 left her at three-under. Lexi Thompson was one of 53 players under par heading into the weekend, but was 11 shots back. Among those are even were Ariya Jutanugarn and Celine Boutier. Notable players that failed to make the 36-hole cut were Lydia Ko and Patty Tavatanakit (four-over), Michelle West Wie (fiver-over), Amy Olson and Cristie Kerr (seven-over), and Madelene Sagstrom (eight-over)
Third Round
Jessica Korda started hot with birdies on the first three, finished hot with three birdies over the last four holes, and sputtered to three-over in between. She finished at 16-under, one shot ahead of Jin Young Ko, who had nine birdies and around of 65. Brooke Henderson inched closer at four back, and Angela Stanford remained in the mix, only five off the pace. Hannah Green and So Yeon Ryu were at nine-under. Morgan Pressel made a move with four birdies on the last five holes and was in the conversation at eight-under. Notables include Jeongeun Lee6 (six-under), Inbee Park (five-under), Moriya Jutanugarn and Nelly Korda (four-under), Ariya Jutanugarn (two-under), and Lexi Thompson (plus-one)
Final Round
Third round leader Jessica Korda was one of only two players in the top 23 to shoot over par in the final round. This opened the door for Brooke Henderson, who birdied three holes on the back nine. She recorded a round of 67 and a 16-under par total for her 10th LPGA win. Hannah Green and Jin Young Ko finished tied for third, two shots back. Angela Stanford finished a very good tournament tied for 5th with So Yeon Ryu at 12-under par. Jeongeun Lee6 made a late push with five birdies on the back nine and finished 7th. Morgan Pressel turned back the clock with a 66 and finished tied for 8th with Tiffany Chan. Mel Reid and Nelly Korda rounded out the top ten.
Coming Up
The LPGA heads to Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore for the HSBC Women’s World Championship, April 29 – May 2. This 72-hole event is played on a par 72 layout of 6718 yards. The purse for this event is $1.6 million with 500 points at stake for the CME Race to the Globe. Sung Hyun Park is the defending champion, winning by two shots over Minjee Lee.
