KERR READY FOR RETURN TO JERSEY AT SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC
It’s been 16 years since Cristie Kerr won at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, winning by one stroke at -11 over Giulia Sergas and then amateur Paula Creamer. This year, the 2004 champion makes her way back to Seaview for the first time since 2017 as she makes her 18th career appearance at the Jersey Shore.
“I have very good memories coming here. Obviously winning on this particular golf course, that was a great memory for me. Made a great putt on the last hole to win,” said Kerr. “In fact, my caddie, Kyle, I showed him when I won back in 2005—I believe it was '05 or '06; again, a million years ago—I told him, there was the putt that I made to win. This is where I hit my second shot 40 yards short of the green and got up and down to win. I don't think you ever forget that stuff.”
The 20-time LPGA Tour winner has two additional top three finishes along with her win at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, though her most recent result here was a tie for 60th. Kerr said it has been an interesting 2020 for her in the lead up to this week’s event, as she’s juggled her wine business Kerr Cellars, family and the twists and turns of professional golf. Despite its challenges, she’s grateful for the opportunity to play during these difficult times.
“It has been different not to play in front of people this year, but hopefully I'm going to have a strong end to the year. I put a lot of work in on my game and my mental game, and starting to train again, so I'm hoping to be able to regain that momentum I had at the beginning of the year,” Kerr said.
A SHORE TRADITION ON THE LPGA TOUR
Following two tournaments on the West Coast, the LPGA Tour heads east to Galloway, N.J., for a “Shore Tradition” unlike any other, as the world’s best female golfers return to the Bay Course at Seaview, A Dolce Hotel in the 26th edition of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer from Oct. 1-4. Typically a 54-hole event, the tournament is 72 holes this year for the first time since 1990, when Christa Johnson won at Greate Bay Country Club.
The 120-player field is headlined by the defending champion and Rolex Rankings No. 10 Lexi Thompson, fellow American and Rolex Rankings No. 2 Nelly Korda, and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Brooke Henderson.
Despite some windy conditions during the final round in 2019, Thompson buried an eagle putt on No. 18 to claim her 11th LPGA Tour crown and add her name to the historic list of past ShopRite LPGA Classic champions which includes such Hall of Fame members as Karrie Webb, Annika Sorenstam, Betsy King, Se Ri Pak, Nancy Lopez and Juli Inkster. Thompson will join six other ShopRite LPGA Classic winners in the field this week including two-time champions Anna Nordqvist (2015, 2016) and Stacy Lewis (2012, 2014).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER
- This is the 32nd playing of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer on the Bay Course at the famed Seaview, A Dolce Hotel.
- The tournament was originally known as the Atlantic City LPGA Classic, but changed its name to the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 1992 when Wakefern Food Corporation took over as title sponsor. In 2013, current presenting sponsor Acer signed on.
- Betsy King (1987, 1995, 2001) and Annika Sorenstam (1998, 2002, 2005) are the only three-time winners of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.
- There have been 24 different champions in tournament history from seven different countries.
- The 18-hole tournament scoring record is 10-under par (61), set by Sei Young Kim in the second round in 2018 and matched by Sakura Yokomine in the third round that same year.
- 2020 is the second time in tournament history that the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer will play as a 72-hole event. The first was 1990 when Christa Johnson won at Greate Bay Country Club.
RACE TO THE CME GLOBE UPDATE
As the LPGA Tour heads into ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer week, two-time 2020 winner Danielle Kang leads the Race to the CME Globe standings with 1,589 points through nine events played. Inbee Park sits in second with 1,235 points, only 354 back of Kang. Minjee Lee is third with 949 points, while Austin Ernst (892 points) and Nelly Korda (848 points) round out the top five. Players will continue to accumulate points across the next six tournaments to secure a spot in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
COVID-19 UPDATE
The LPGA Tour conducted the first batch of COVID-19 on-site testing at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer on Monday and it returned one positive result.
A caddie tested positive for COVID-19 and has begun his 10-day quarantine. His player, Jaclyn Lee, has withdrawn from the event due to close contact. Following guidance from the CDC and the LPGA medical directors, Lee will begin a 14-day quarantine and both she and her caddie have been working with Tour and local health officials on contact tracing.
“After finding out this morning that my caddie had tested positive for COVID-19 despite not showing any symptoms, I have withdrawn from this week’s tournament,” said Lee. “While I wish I could be playing this week, I am working with the LPGA to take all of the proper precautions needed in this unusual time. I feel good and I am looking forward to being back competing as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The LPGA will have full pre-tournament testing results for the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer later this week.
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