After what seemed like an eternity, nearly 5 ½ months to be more precise, the ladies of the LPGA Tour were back in action this weekend and the Drive on Championship. This inaugural 54-hole event was held at the difficult Inverness golf course in Toldeo, Ohio. There were no spectators, so sponsors, and social distancing was practiced. However, golf was back and teed off on Friday, July 31.
Scoring was very good on the opening day on the par-72 layout. Danielle Kang took the early lead with a six-under par round of 66. Jodi Ewart Shadoff was a shot off the pace at 67, while Celine Boutier, Lee-Anne Pace were at four-under. Sitting at minus-two were Minjee Lee and Lydia Ko. At plus-one was Lexi Thompson after a lackluster 73. The Korda sisters, Jessica and Nelly struggled, shooting 75 and 76, respectively.
Scoring conditions got increasingly more difficult in Saturday’s round to make the cut and secure a position for Sunday. Only seven players broke par with under two under 70. One of those was Sarah Schmelzel, whose 69 included four birdied on the first eight holes. She jumped 15 spots to fourth after two days. Alen Sharp also recorded a 69 after an opening round of 78, at sat tied for 32nd.
There was a three-way tie at the top consisting of Celine Boutier, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, and Danielle Kang at –5. Sarah Burnham, Amy Olson, Lee-Anne Pace all were within striking distance just three shots back. Lexi Thompson was an even par round and was tied for 19th. The Korda sisters made the cut after poor first rounds, but were well off the pace. The play of Lydia Ko clearly demonstrated Inverness at its most difficult, shooting a round of 80 that included a double and triple bogey.
Sunday’s final round had its usual most difficult pin placements, and toughest scoring. Megan Khang, Kendall Dye, Xiyu Lin, Paula Reto, Albane Valenzuela, and winner Danielle Kang shot the lowest round of the day at 70. For Kang, her seven-under par finish edged Celine Boutier by a shot. Minjee Lee finished three back, followed by Kawamoto, and Shadoff as the only players under par for the tournament. Kang’s win was the fourth of her LPGA career. She is currently fourth in the Rolex Rankings and second in the CME Race to the Globe.
Some notables include Caroline Masson (+1), Lexi Thompson (+2) along with Perrine Delacour, Carlota Ciganda, and Amy Olson. Madelene Sagstrom finished at +3, while Lydia Ko bounced back with a 71 to finish 28th at +4. Veteran Cristie Kerr, soon to be 43 years of age, finished +5, while Jessica Korda finished +6, Gerina Piller at +7 and Stacey Lewis +9.
The LPGA stays in Ohio next week for the Marathon Classic in Sylvania. The ladies will be playing for a $1.7 million purse and 500 points for the CME Race to the Globe. Sei Young Kim shot a 65 in the final round last year to win the event at 22-under par.
