In a tune-up for next week’s U.S. Women’s Open, the LPGA Tour teed it up at the Old American Golf Club in The Colony, Texas for Volunteers of America Classic. The semi-private 18-hole venue was built in 2010 and designed by Tripp Davis and Justin Leonard, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour. A large field of 120 entered the event with a $1.75 million purse at stake.
First Round
Charley Hull took the lead with a round of 68 that included six birdies and three bogeys. At three-under par she held a one-shot edge of Pornanong Phatlum, Jessica Korda, and Jennifer Kupcho who was four-over par through the first seven holes. A group of five that included Amy Ewing and Anna Nordqvist were just two shots off the pace. The leaderboard was very tight, as eight others including Angela Stanford and Sohpia Popov were at even. Nasa Hataoka, Ariya Jutanugarn, and 19-year-old YealimiNoh finished four shots out of the lead.
Second Round
Hull fell four shots back after a 74 put her at even at the halfway point. The lead was taken over by Noh, who shot a brilliant round of 66 that included six birdies and only a single bogey. At four-under par, she held a narrow one stroke lead over Anna Nordqvist and Jessica Korda, who both posted scores under 70. LPGA Hall of Famer Inbee Park was lurking at only two shots back along with four other players. Several players drastically improved their scores from the opening round. Nanna Koertz Madsen improved from 81 to 67 to make the cut. Ashleigh Buhai posted a 69 after a first round of 78. Xiyu Liu made amends from a first round of 78, posting a four-under 67. Hannah Green also posted a 67 and finished at even.
Third Round
So Yeon Ryu was the hot player on the course, recording five birdies on the first eight holes. She finished with a 65 and tied Inbee Park and Yealimi Noh at four-under. Kristen Gillman’s 66 moved her into a seven-way logjam at three-under. Anna Nordqvist fell back after a two-over 73 but was still only two shots off the pace. Missing from contention this season has been Jeongeun Lee6, but she joined a six-player group at one-under after a round of 66. Jasmine Suwannapura posted a 68 to come in at even. Other stellar performances in this round included Tiffany Chan, who moved into a tie for 20th after a 66, and Katherine Kirk and Nanna Koertz Madsen, who posted rounds of 67.
Final Round
Angela Stanford had played the first three rounds at even par. While not spectacular, she was steadily going about her business and remained within striking distance for the final round. She came through with a four-under par round that included seven-birdies and three bogeys. Her performance was good enough for a two-shot win over So Yoen Ryu, Inbee Park, and Yealimi Noh, who all posted rounds of 70.
Jin Young Ko finished in sole possession of fifth at four-under. Anna Nordqvist and first round leader Charley Hull finished four off the pace. The only other players to finish the tournament under par were
Lindsey Weaver, Kristin Gillman, and Madelene Sagstrom only others under par. The win for the 43-year –old Stanford was her seventh and first since winning The Evian Championship in 2018.
Coming Up
The LPGA Tour heads to Houston, Texas for the U.S Women’s Open. The last major of the season has a purse of $5.5 million and 625 points towards the CME Race to the Globe. JeongeunLee6 is the defending champion. The final tournament of the season is the CME Group Tour Championship from December 17-20 in Naples, Florida. Sei Young Kim is the defending champion
