The LPGA will stay in the West for its second full-field event of the season, the DIO Implant LA Open. The tournament will celebrate its fifth anniversary on the tour with a new course and a strong field that promises excitement.
Another Stacked Field
The best golfers in the world will tee off on Thursday at the DIO Implant LA Open. And that’s no exaggeration. After skipping the LPGA Drive On Championship last week, Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Lydia Ko is back on tour for the Southern California event. She is joined by No. 2 Nelly Korda, No. 3 Jin Young Ko and No. 4 Atthaya Thitikul. Korda and Jin Young have both had long runs as World No. 1 and are eager to make their way back to the top – making for high stakes at this week’s event for those atop the Rolex Rankings.
A New Home
The DIO Implant LA Open’s inaugural playing in 2018 marked the LPGA Tour’s return to Los Angeles in more than a decade and has been the tour’s staple event in Southern California ever since. After four years at Wilshire Country Club, the tournament will move to the Palos Verdes Golf Club, which hosted the Palos Verdes Championship presented by Bank of America in 2022. The par 71 course is often referred to as a “hidden gem” and boasts beautiful ocean views of Santa Monica Bay.
Two Defenders
Since the tournament has found a new home at a former event’s stomping grounds, there are two “defenders” to watch out for this week. The DIO Implant LA Open’s official defending champion is No. 12 Nasa Hataoka, who won by a whopping five strokes for her sixth LPGA Tour victory. However, the last player to win at the Palos Verdes Golf Club was Marina Alex, who won the Palos Verdes Championship by a single stroke over Jin Young. The win was just her second on tour after a four-year drought. Both players will look to recreate the success they found at this event and on this course over the weekend.
California Connections
Whenever the tour takes a trip to sunny Southern California, some players get to spend a few days at home. This week, there are 20 Los Angeles natives, residents, or both competing at the Palos Verdes Country Club. Lilia Vu, a Los Angeles native and resident, will play in front of a home crowd for the first time as an LPGA Tour winner after her victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand just over a month ago. Other California natives that will enjoy a home-field advantage include Danielle Kang, Andrea Lee and Lizette Salas.
First Home Tournament
But this event will be the sweetest for rookies like Lucy Li and Gabriella Then. Both are California natives and residents who will be getting the chance to play in front of a home crowd for the first time as full-fledged LPGA Tour members. The last time Li played on the LPGA Tour in Southern California, she finished T22 at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship in 2022. Just the second full-field event of the season, the DIO Implant LA Open has attracted 24 of the Tour’s 31 rookies.
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