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The LPGA headed to the Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California for the JTBC Classic Presented by Barbasol. This event, which began in 2010 is a 72-hole format played on a par 72 layout of 6609 yards. Inbee Park won last year’s tournament with a score of 14-under par. The LPGA Tour Hall of Famer won by five shots and also took home a 2021 Kia Sorento. The purse for this year’s event was $1.5 million with 500 points towards the Race to the CME Globe for the winner.

First Round

Jin Young Ko opened to an early lead following a seven-under par round of 65. Nanna Koerstz Madsen was a shot back after a round that included five birdies, an eagle, and a bogey. Gemma Drybrugh was among three players two shots back. Lydia Ko, Pajaree Anannarukarn were notables three shots back. Ariya Jutanugarn birdied the last four holes to get into a logjam of 16 at three-under that included Jessica Korda, Leona Maguire, Danielle Kang, Moriya Jutanugarn and Atthaya Thitikul. Still in the mix at two-under included Stacy Lewis, Nasa Hataoka, Xiyu Lin, and Jeongeun Lee6, who had an eagle but also a double bogey in her round. Notables further off the pace included Anna Nordqvist, Inbee Park, and Yealimi Noh at one-under, and Gaby Lopez, and Cristie Kerr at even.

Second Round

Nanna Koerstz Madsen vaulted to the lead after a round of 67. At 11-under par she held a two-shot cushion over Lydia Ko who also posted a round of 67, and Hye-Jin Choi. Jin Young Ko fell three back after a round of 71. Janie Jackson was a surprise name on the leaderboard after 36 holes at six-under par and in eighth place. Seven players were lurking six shots back, including Jessica Korda, Nasa Hataoka, Atthaya Thitikul, Charley Hull, and Leona Maguire. Hyo Joo Kim shot a very solid round of 67 after an opening round of 73 and was among four players at four-under par. A logjam of 13 players were at three-under par which included notables Moriya Jutanugarn and Madelene Sagstrom. Danielle Kang fell ten shots back after struggling to a round of 74. Ariya Jutanugarn also faltered, particularly on the back nine and shot a 75 to fall right on the cut line. Notables to miss the cut included Jennifer Kupcho, Maria Fassi, Matilda Castren, Gaby Lopez, and Sei Young Kim.

Third Round

Despite a stretch of three-over part on the 7th and 8th hole, Nanna Koerstz Madsen opened a three-shot lead after a round of 69. Na Rin An eagled the par 4 16th but triple-bogeyed the 18th and finished in sole possession of second at 11-under par. Jin Young Ko and Pajaree Anannarukarn were tied at 10-under par. Lillia Vu and Jeongeun Lee6 both recorded a hole-in-one on the par 3 third hole. Vu finished the round in a five-way tie at nine-under par, while Lee6 was in a group of eight at six-under par. Among those at eight-under par was Atthaya Thitikul, who eagled the par four ninth. Lydia Ko fell out of contention after a round of 74 put her at seven-under par. Notables included Jessica Korda at four-under par, Lexi Thompson and Danielle Kang at three-under par, and Ariya Jutanugarn at even par.

Final Round

Atthaya Thitikul zoomed to the top of the leaderboard after a round of 64 that included seven birdies over the last 12 holes. She finished tied after 72 holes with Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who took the lead after a birdie on the 17th, only to bogey the last hole. Despite a bogey on the second playoff hole, Thitikul earned her first LPGA Tour victory after Madsen recorded a double-bogey. Na Rin An finished in third place at 15-under par, while Jin Young Ko were among three at 14-under par. Charley Hull finished a very solid week with a 69 to finish in 7th place at 12-under par. Inbee Park posted another top ten finish after a round of 68 placed her tied for 8th. Amy Yang and Stephanie Meadow rounded out the top ten. Lydia Ko was among four at nine-under par. Lizette Salas had the second-best round of the day with a 65 that included seven birdies and no bogeys. Notables included Moriya Jutanugarn (eight-under), Minjee Lee (seven-under), Yealimi Noh (six-under), Lexi Thompson (five-under), Danielle Kang (four-under), Jessica Korda (three-under), Jeongeun Lee6 (two-under), and Ariya Jutanugarn (even).

Coming Up

The LPGA Tour heads to Rancho Mirage, California for The Chevron Championship. The first major of the LPGA Tour season is played at Mission Hills Country Club. This 72-hole event is played on a par 72 layout of 6763 yards. Last year, LPGA Tour rookie Patty Tavatanakit became a major champion after posting a final round of 68 to finish at 18-under par. She joined Juli Inkster as the only LPGA Tour players to win a major in their rookie season. The tournament has a large purse of $5 million with 625 points towards the Race to the CME Globe for the winner.