JUTANUGARN, HENDERSON HAVING ELITE SEASONS
The top two players at the Reignwood LPGA Classic, Ariya Jutanugarn and Brooke Henderson, are each having career seasons in 2016.
The 20-year-old Thailand native and 19-year-old Canadian have combined to win seven of the 25 events on Tour so far this year, including two of the five LPGA major championships. Their names can be seen near the top of the charts of several 2016 statistical categories.
Jutanugarn has spent nine weeks as the No. 2 player in the Rolex Rankings after starting the year as the 63rd ranked player in the world. Jutanugarn and World No. 1 Lydia Ko are the only two players to surpass the $2 million mark this season, and with a win this week she would pass Ko for first on the 2016 official money list.
Jutanugarn would pass Ko in the Rolex Player of the Year standings by finishing ninth or better this week. She would need to finish third or better this week to climb ahead of Ko for first place in the Race to the CME Globe.
“I’m really happy,” said Jutanugarn. “Especially this year because I feel like I really want to win my first LPGA this year and I really want to win a major, so I did again. I feel like I actually make two goal this year.”
Henderson has followed up her first career victory from last season with a pair of wins this year, including her first career major championship at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. At Sahalee, Henderson became the second youngest player to win a major championship in LPGA history (18 years, 9 months, 2 days).
Henderson described the last 18 months as being ‘surreal’ and a ‘dream come true.’ Her success on the LPGA Tour and the chance to represent Canada at the Olympic Games has vaulted the teen into super-stardom in her home country and across the globe.
“Just kind of worked my way up winning my first LPGA event when I was 17 and gaining membership on the Tour,” Henderson said. “Since then, just building tons of confidence and being able to move my world ranking to way over 200 in the world to No. 4 right now.”
“It’s been an amazing journey and incredible ride. I’m looking forward to playing here this week and the rest of the season, and looking forward to next year, too.”
2016 Stats - Ariya Jutanugarn vs. Brooke Henderson
| STATISTIC | JUTANUGARN | HENDERSON |
|---|---|---|
| Rolex World Ranking | 2 | 4 |
| Wins | 5 (1st) | 2 (T-3rd) |
| Top-10 Finish % | 50%, 12-of-24 (5th) | 55%, 12-of-22 (4th) |
| Scoring Average | 69.929 (3rd) | 70.204 (8th) |
| Birdies | 354 (1st) | 353 (2nd) |
| Official Money | $2,199,748 (2nd) | $1,412,695 (3rd) |
| Rolex Player of the Year | 246 pts. (2nd) | 135 pts. (4th) |
| Race to the CME Globe | 4,066 pts. (2nd) | 2,776 pts. (3rd) |
RED BULL FINAL FIVE CHALLENGE
The Red Bull Final Five Challenge returns at the Reignwood LPGA Classic this year. The 5-hole challenge awards the player with the lowest cumulative score in relation to par for tournament holes 14-18 throughout the week.
The winner of the challenge will receive $50,000 USD at the conclusion of the tournament. Players need to finish all 4 rounds, 72 holes (or the official number of rounds completed in this year’s Reignwood LPGA Classic if shortened due to weather) to be eligible.
In 2014, tournament champion Mirim Lee edged out CLPGA player Yanhong Pan on a tie breaker for the win, adding the $50,000 prize to her $315,000 first place check.
PLAYERS REMEMBER ARNOLD PALMER
Players and caddies will wear green ribbons this week in memoriam of golfing legend Arnold Palmer. On Saturday, there will be buttons reading “I’m a Member of Arnie’s Army” available for players and caddies on the starting tees.
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