The HSBC Women’s World Championship took place April 29 through May 2 in Singapore. This 72-hole event was played on a par 72 layout of 6718 yards. The purse for this event was $1.6 million with 500 points at stake for the CME Race to the Globe. Sung Hyun Park entered the defending champion. winning in 2019 by two shots over Minjee Lee.
First Round
Inbee Park shot the low round of the day, recording eight birdies and no bogeys. With a 64, she held a one-shot lead over Hee Young Park, whose highlight was an eagle on the par-4 10th. Three shots behind were a group of five led by Sophia Popov, So Yeon Ryu, and Hyo Joo Kim. Sitting at four-under par included Jeongeun Lee6, Shanshan Feng, and Brittany Altomare. Scoring was excellent on the first day with eight more players just five shots back, including Minjee Lee and Lydia Ko. All told, 39 players broke par. Notables Danielle Kang (Even) and Ariya Jutanugarn (plus two) were well off the pace. Defending champion Sung Hyun Park was last in the field with a round of 78.
Second Round
Inbee Park shot a three-under par round of 69 and was in a tied at the midpoint of the tournament with Hee Young Park, who posted a score of 68. Also posting 68 and three shots off the pace were Hyo Joo Kim and Xiyu Liu. Carlota Ciganda and So Yeon Ryu were lurking at minus-eight. Hannah Greens’ 66 put her in solid position ad minus-seven along with Lydia Ko. Ally Ewing vaulted up the leaderboard into a four-way tied at minus-six. Gerina Piller posted a fine round of 67 and was in the mix at minus-five. After 36 holes, 37 players were under par. Those struggling were Danielle Kang (plus-one), Jin Young Ko (plus-three), Ariya Jutanugarn (plus-four), and Sung Hyun Park (plus-five). There was no cut this week, so all players were eligible for weekend play.
Third Round
A new leader emerged as Xiyu Liu recorded four birdies on the last six holes. She finished with a round of 66 at was at 14-under-par. Inbee Park fell a shot back after a double bogey seven on the 16th led to a round of 70. She was tied with Hannah Green who posted her second straight round of 66. The round of the day went to Gaby Lopez, whose seven-under par round put her only two shots back. The trio of In Gee Chun, Lydia Ko, and So Yeon Ryu were in striking distance at 10-under par. Ariya Jutanugarn saw a big improvement over round two with a 66 and was at two-under par. Among those who couldn’t get their game together in this round were Shanshan Feng, who posted a 76. Hee Young Park had a disastrous nine on the par 5 16th , leading to a 44 on the back nine, and 79 overall. Sung Hyun Park posted a 70 and had no chance to repeat as champion, sitting at (plus-three).
Final Round
Xiyu Liu failed to keep the momentum from the third round, recording a relatively mediocre 71 and finished at 15-under par. She was tied for third with Inbee Park and Patty Tavatanakit, who shot an impressive 65. Hannah Green got to 18-under par after an eagle on the par 4 14th and birdie on the 16th. However, bogeys on the last two holes left her a shot back and sole possession of second place. Hyo Joo Kim recorded eight birdies over an 11-hole stretch and finished with a round of 64. Her 17-under par total was good enough for her 4th LPGA career win. So Yeon Ryu finished at 12-under, while Carlota Ciganda, Lydia Ko, In Gee Chun, and Gaby Lopez finished six back at 11-under.
Coming Up
The LPGA Tour heads to the Siam Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand for the Honda LPGA Thailand. The event, which began in 2006 is played on the Pattaya Old Course which is a par 72 layout of 6576 yards. The purse is $1.6 million with 500 points towards the CME Race to the Globe at stake. Amy Yang won the event in 2019 over Carlota Ciganda and Minjee Lee.
