Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft
Bylthfield Country Club
Grand Rapids, Mich.
July 22, 2015

Inbee Park came a few lip outs shy of capturing the Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft in its inaugural year. Unfortunately for the Rolex Rankings No. 1, the putts didn’t drop and Mirim Lee walked away with the title at Blythefield Country Club.

“It definitely motivated me to come this week and play because I knew that I was so close and I can do it this year,” Park said of her runner-up fi nish last season. “I knew that this golf course really suited my eye and I really love the golf course, how it played. So hopefully I’ll give myself a better chance this year and hopefully I can come closer.”

While Park was upset with the loss looking back on things she wouldn’t do anything differently.

“I had a great result here last year even though I lost in the playoff . Mirim just played really well,” Park said. “That’s why I came back this year, to see another great golf course. We get so much good support from the people of Michigan here. It’s just always a pleasure to come here and play. I’m here and I hopefully a little better than last year.”

Park will also be hoping that her pro-am group’s fi nish will mirror her fi nish in the event as it did last year.

“Yeah, I played with one guy who was actually from the same guy that I played last year and he said we finished second in the pro am, I fi nished second in the tournament,” Park said. “So he said at the beginning of the round, let’s finish fi rst in the pro am, let’s have you fi nish fi rst in the tournament. So I mean, we’ve done the fi rst part, so hopefully the second part’s going to work.”

PARK WAS WATCHING SPIETH’S QUEST FOR HISTORY
Like many golf fans, Inbee Park was glued to her television on Monday seeing if Jordan Spieth could capture the third leg of the Grand Slam at the British Open. Unlike anyone else watching, Park has been in a similar situation as she recorded the fi rst three legs of the Grand Slam in 2013 before coming up short at the RICOH Women’s British Open

“Yeah, I actually watched Monday,” Park said. “I think it was so much fun to watch them play on the golf course we actually played at St. Andrews. It doesn’t really happen often so I think it was really cool. Jordan Spieth was going for the three majors and he put himself into contention. That was something amazing because I know how that feels and how much pressure he felt, but he’s done a great job. And obviously Zach Johnson winning with holing those putts is just amazing.”

LIZ NAGEL HAPPY TO BE HOME COMPETING ON LPGA TOUR
Michigan State grad and Dewitt, Mich., native will be making the -- start of her young LPGA career at the Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft and is excited to be competing against the best golfers in the world in her home state.

“It feels great,” Nagel said. “I just mentioned to everybody that it’s awesome that you guys get to enjoy the great Michigan weather. This is like the nicest week of the year we’ve had so far, so we’re proud to have you. And I’m only from an hour from here so I feel like I’m at home. I’ve already left like 40 tickets at will call for my friends and family so I’m thrilled for the week, this is going to be a lot of fun.”

While Nagel grew up a little less than an hour from Blythefi eld she had yet to play the course prior to her practice round this week.

“I’ve lived near Lansing my whole life and I’ve been over here a lot, played Egypt Valley a ton but never over here, so it was my first time seeing the course yesterday,” Nagel admitted. “I think it’s great. I think it’s in good shape. The greens are a little fi rm right now but I heard that they get quicker as the week goes on. Last year they did. So I’m excited. I think the rough will get a little thicker and the weather’s supposed to be great, like I said. Excited.”

While growing up near Lansing, Nagel was able to experience the LPGA fi rst hand at the Oldsmobile Classic.

“That’s actually my first memory of the LPGA at all,” Nagel explained. “I grew up with my dad played on Tour a little bit, not on the PGA, but on the mini tours. Then he decided to be a teaching professional out here in like west of Lansing. So he used to take me to Walnut Hills, which I’ve played hundreds of times and that’s where I kind of met my coach for the first time who was a member there, and I remember I had an autographed photo of Becky Iverson. I sat on his shoulders and I watched. “

Nagel, a three-year starter at Michigan State who finished her career with the Spartans with five top-five fi nishes, eight top-10 fi nishes and the fourth-lowest scoring average in school history (75.65), is now looking to inspire young girls in the way the players like Iverson inspired her.

“So at the U.S. Open when I saw all these little girls like being held by their dads, it just really brings back those memories,” Nagel said. “I even met a little girl and I said if that was me and she wanted a golf ball or something, and I said, Do you golf, and yes. For me, like if I can share my story and my dad, like that was me and my dad. So her and her dad, I connect to that and it’s special for me.“

PRESSEL A HOST WITH THE MOST
The Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft brings the Tour back to Michigan for the second year in a row, but for veteran Morgan Pressel, this is much more familiar territory.

“It’s great to be in Michigan,” Pressel said. “This is the fi rst LPGA in technically kind of my home state and where I grew up and learned the game of golf really up here. I traveled all around every summer and played a lot of junior tournaments in this area.”

Pressel has always been a fan favorite on Tour, but this week she expects to have a larger fan-base than normal.

“It’s only a couple hours from where my family lives in the Detroit area and outside of Jackson as well, my husband’s family, so it’s great to be back and in front of some hometown crowds” Pressel said.

Not only will her family be keeping her busy this week, but Pressel is very active with the overall production of the tournament, both on and off the course. This week she will not only be prepping to win a tournament
and visiting with family, she will be present at most of the off the course functions as well.

“Yeah, this is an unusual week on Tour just with all the other events that go on,” Pressel said. “Last night’s pro am party, Chef Night on Friday, One Republic concert on Saturday, along with all the other things, just got to make sure you get some sleep. But it’s great to be a part of this event. I’m honored to be an ambassador, if you will, of the tournament.”

All eyes will be on Pressel as she makes her way through the course this week, but it is a lot more than golf this week for the 2014 Kia Community Assist winner.

“Meijer and their initiative with Simply Give is incredibly impressive having raised over $600,000 in last year’s tournament and I know that they’re really hoping to one up that this year,” Pressel said. “So it’s great to be a part of this week. Try and sneak in the rest when you can and get out for some practice, but it’s a lot more than just about golf this week.”

Meijer LPGA Classic Pre-tournament News and Notes

Related Articles