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The LPGA Tour headed to Rancho Mirage, California for the first major championship of the season at the ANA Inspiration. The ladies tackled the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club, a layout of 6769 yards, par 72. The deepest field so far this season were playing for a purse of $3,100,000 and 625 points toward the Race to the CME Globe.

Last year, Mirim Lee of Korea defeated Booke Henderson and Nelly Korda with a birdie on the first playoff hole. Lee came from behind with a birdie on 16 and a chip-in eagle at the last to enter the playoff.

First Round

Patty Tavatanakit, a 21-year-old rookie from Thailand took the lead after a six-under par round of 66. She held a one-shot lead over Shanshan Feng of China and two over Ariya Jutanugarn and Anna Nordqvist. A group of ten that included Jessica Korda, defending champion Mirim Lee, and Moriya Jutanugarn were just three shots off the pace. On a day when scoring was excellent, 15 players were bunch at two-under par. Big names among that group were Michelle Wie West, Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, Inbee Park, and Sophia Popov. In all, 49 players broke par. Some notables that failed to break par wee Danielle Kang, Cristie Kerr, and Minjee Lee at even, Austin Ernst at one-over, Brooke Henderson at three-over, and Stacy Lewis at four-over par.

Second Round

Patty Tavatanakit remained on top of the leaderboard following a three-under par round. Her length off the tee helped her eagle the par four 15th. At nine-under par. She held a slim one-shot edge of Shanshan Feng and two over Moriya Jutanugarn, who shot a round of 69. Anna Nordqvist and England’s Charley Hull were three strokes back. Big names lurked at just four shots off the pace, including Lydia Ko, Mirim Lee, Inbee Park, and Jin Young Ko. Nelly Korda, Jeongeun Lee6, Danielle Kang, and Lexi Thompson remained in the mix. Ariya Jutanugarn, who at one point tied for the lead, suffered a triple-bogey on the 4th hole and was one-under at the halfway point. Stacy Lewis went five-under par on the back nine to

Third Round

Using monster drives of over 300 yards and great putting, Patty Tavatanakit birdied the first three holes. She cruised to a round of 67 and was at 14-under par. Ally Ewing, who shot a 66, and Mirim Lee, who shot a 68, were a distant five shots back. Shanshan Feng failed to make a move with a relatively pedestrian round of 72 and was six shots back. Inbee Park and Charley Hull were seven behind, and Gaby Lopez, Lydia Ko, Jin Youn Ko, and Moriya Jutanugarn were all at six-under par. Stacy Lewis continued her ascent through the week with a round of 67 and was in a group of 11 at four-under par. Ariya Jutanugarn continued her rocky play after a great start. She recorded a triple-bogey on the last and finished at plus-three after a round of 76.

Final Round

Entering the final round with a five-shot lead, Patty Tavatanakit played a very solid four-under par round. Under normal circumstances that would lead to an easy victory. Lydia Ko put a scare into her with a charge, perhaps unlike any seen in the final round of an LPGA major. She posted a 10-under par 62. Tavatanakit held on after a par on 18 for a two-shot win and her first LPGA victory. Sei Young Kim, Nelly Korda, and Nanna Koertz Madsen all shot rounds of 66 and finished at minus-11 along with Shanshan Feng. Jin Young Ko, Inbee Park, and Ally Ewing tied for ninth. A three-way tie for 10th included defending champion Mirim Lee and Moriya Jutanugarn. Danielle Kang posted an impressive 65 and finished 13th.

Coming Up

Off next week, the LPGA Tour heads to Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii for the LOTTE Championship April 14-17. The ladies tee it up at a par 72 layout of 6397 yards for a purse of $2,000,000 and 500 points towards the Race to the CME Globe. Brooke Henderson is the defending champion.