After starting a new era of the Chevron Championship in Texas, the LPGA Tour is moving on to an even newer tradition: the inaugural playing of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro. The exciting new event has attracted a host of talent, including eight of the Rolex Rankings top 10, all the 2023 winners and plenty of California natives.
Inaugural Events
The JM Eagle LA Championship is the first of four brand new events on this season’s record-breaking schedule. Next up is the Mizuho Americas Open – which will include 24 elite amateurs competing in a concurrent AJGA Invitational – in June, then the Maybank Championship in October and finally the Grant Thornton Invitational – an event co-sanctioned by both the LPGA and PGA Tour which will feature 16 players from each tour – in December. All the new events offer over $2 million in purses with the JM Eagle LA Championship offering up $3 million in prize money this weekend.
New Tournament, Old Course
Though the JM Eagle LA Championship is an unfamiliar event, the course is a tour favorite: The Wilshire Country Club. From 2018-2022 the course was home to the DIO Implant LA Open, which moved to the Palos Verdes Golf Club this season. Before that the club hosted the 2001 Office Depot Championship which was won by Annika Sorenstam. Founded in 1919 and designed by Norman Macbeth, the Wilshire Country Club is located in the heart of Hollywood. Since the club is so close to the center of the City of Angels several Southern California celebs will be in attendance. Actress Kathryn Newton, former Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol and New Kids on the Block’s Joey McIntyre are just a few big names that will be in attendance this week.
“Defending Champions”
Since the Tour is returning to a familiar venue, there is technically a “defending champion” in the mix. The last person to stand in the winner’s circle at the Wilshire Country Club was Nasa Hataoka. The 6-time LPGA winner hoisted the DIO Implant LA Trophy after shooting a 15-under 269, which was a whopping five strokes ahead of runner up Hannah Green. Hataoka turned in a steady performance at the club last year, carding three rounds at 4-under par and one at 3-under. Past winners at the course include No. 8 Brooke Henderson, No. 6 Minjee Lee and 2-time LPGA winner Moriya Jutanugarn. Henderson set the tournament’s 72-hole scoring record, a 16-under 268, with her win in 2021.
Recent Winners
All six of the winners this season – Henderson, No. 4 Lilia Vu, No. 3 Jin Young Ko, No. 9 Celine Boutier, Ruoning Yin and Grace Kim – will be in attendance this week. The group is highlighted by Vu, the first player with multiple wins this season. Vu became a first-time winner at the Honda LPGA Thailand in February and quickly added to her resume with her first major championship mere days ago at the Chevron Championship. Though it may seem like a good time to take a break, the decision to compete this week was a no-brainer for the Southern California native and UCLA alum. Vu will have the opportunity to celebrate her latest trophy with a trip home and a stint in her own bed, while impressing a few friends and family with her stellar game at the JM Eagle LA Championship.
Cali Connections
Of course, Vu is just one of many players with California connections. There are several natives and residents taking advantage of the opportunity to spend a week at home, including some of the tour’s brightest rising stars. Allisen Corpuz, a California resident and USC alum, is sure to impress this week after finishing T8 at the Chevron Championship. Lucy Li, a highly touted rookie who has found success at LPGA events in the Golden State, will also have a chance to prove her mettle in front of a home crowd. Veterans from the area will also be in the field. Some big names include natives Danielle Kang, Lizette Salas and Ryann O’Toole and residents Hyo Joo Kim and Matilda Castren.
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