Tag: Blythefield Country Club

2023 Meijer LPGA Classic prize money payouts for each LPGA player

Check out the prize money payouts at the 2023 Meijer LPGA Classic.

BELMONT, Mich. – Ireland’s Leona Maguire’s pockets just got a little bit heavier. The first-time Meijer LPGA Classic champion, and second time winner on the LPGA, claimed $375,000 for the first-place prize, more than her total earnings for the 2023 season thus far. The total purse for the event was $2.5 million.

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn also collected a healthy sum of $230,318 for finishing in the second-place spot. She also earned more money at this event than she has over the course of the season.

Here is the official prize money payouts for the 2023 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give:

Pos Player Score Earnings
1 Leona Maguire -21 $375,000
2 Ariya Jutanugarn -19 $230,318
T3 Xiyu Lin -18 $148,164
T3 Amy Yang -18 $148,164
5 Hyo Joo Kim -16 $104,031
T6 Jennifer Kupcho -15 $78,181
T6 Thidapa Suwannapura -15 $78,181
T8 Hye Jin Choi -14 $52,204
T8 Ally Ewing -14 $52,204
T8 Carlota Ciganda -14 $52,204
T8 Pauline Roussin-Bouchard -14 $52,204
T8 Aditi Ashok -14 $52,204
T13 Minjee Lee -13 $37,829
T13 Ayaka Furue -13 $37,829
T13 Ashleigh Buhai -13 $37,829
T13 Stephanie Meadow -13 $37,829
T17 Minami Katsu -12 $31,357
T17 Mi Hyang Lee -12 $31,357
T17 Manon De Roey -12 $31,357
T20 Na Rin An -11 $25,108
T20 Cheyenne Knight -11 $25,108
T20 Lindsey Weaver-Wright -11 $25,108
T20 Emily Kristine Pedersen -11 $25,108
T20 Grace Kim -11 $25,108
T20 Hae Ran Ryu -11 $25,108
T20 Morgane Metraux -11 $25,108
T20 Ruixin Liu -11 $25,108
T20 Melissa Reid -11 $25,108
T29 Alison Lee -10 $19,797
T29 Mina Harigae -10 $19,797
T29 Arpichaya Yubol -10 $19,797
T32 Nasa Hataoka -9 $15,270
T32 Jodi Ewart Shadoff -9 $15,270
T32 Madelene Sagstrom -9 $15,270
T32 Allisen Corpuz -9 $15,270
T32 Eun-Hee Ji -9 $15,270
T32 Jeongeun Lee -9 $15,270
T32 Sarah Schmelzel -9 $15,270
T32 Anna Nordqvist -9 $15,270
T32 Azahara Munoz -9 $15,270
T32 Ines Laklalech -9 $15,270
T42 Brooke Henderson -8 $11,853
T42 Frida Kinhult -8 $11,853
T44 Moriya Jutanugarn -7 $10,151
T44 Pernilla Lindberg -7 $10,151
T44 Wei Ling Hsu -7 $10,151
T44 Xiaowen Yin -7 $10,151
T44 Esther Henseleit -7 $10,151
T44 Charlotte Thomas -7 $10,151
T50 Hannah Green -6 $8,448
T50 So Yeon Ryu -6 $8,448
T50 Yan Liu -6 $8,448
T50 Jennifer Chang -6 $8,448
T54 Megan Khang -5 $7,566
T54 Maja Stark -5 $7,566
T54 Soo Bin Joo -5 $7,566
T57 Chella Choi -4 $6,683
T57 Polly Mack -4 $6,683
T57 Allison Emrey -4 $6,683
T57 Lindy Duncan -4 $6,683
T61 Yuna Nishimura -3 $6,053
T61 Marissa Steen -3 $6,053
T61 Laura Wearn -3 $6,053
T64 Haeji Kang -2 $5,737
T64 Ellinor Sudow -2 $5,737
T66 Stephanie Kyriacou -1 $5,359
T66 Celine Borge -1 $5,359
T66 Maddie Szeryk -1 $5,359
T66 Louise Ridderstrom -1 $5,359
T70 Bailey Tardy 1 $5,013
T70 Christina Kim 1 $5,013
T72 Sung Hyun Park 2 $4,885
T72 Ilhee Lee 2 $4,885
74 Jeong Eun Lee 3 $4,791

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Leona Maguire shoots 30 on back nine to clinch second LPGA title at Meijer LPGA Classic, credits Padraig Harrington for short-game lesson

Leona Maguire might have to pay Padraig Harrington another visit this summer.

Leona Maguire might have to pay Padraig Harrington another visit this summer. The Meijer LPGA Classic winner credited several key up-and-downs this week to shots Ireland’s Harrington, a three-time major winner, taught her last summer ahead of the AIG Women’s British Open.

As U.S. Open contender Rory McIlroy arrived at Los Angeles Country Club for the final round, Maguire was lighting up the closing holes at Blythefield Country Club in Bellmont, Michigan, on Sunday. After finishing runner-up at the Meijer the past two years, the Irishwoman put the hammer down on the field, playing the last six holes in 6 under to pull away with a back-nine 30 en route to a closing 64.

Maguire, 28, became the first Irishwoman to win on the LPGA in February 2022 at the Drive On Championship. The former Duke player dominated the amateur game, ranking No. 1 for 135 weeks, a record that was only recently broken by Rose Zhang.

Maguire earned $375,000 for the victory.

Maguire began the day at 13 under and set a goal of getting to 20 under for the tournament. She bested that by a shot, beating Ariya Jutanugarn by two strokes and Xiyu “Janet” Lin and Amy Yang by three.

“It’s hugely satisfying,” Maguire said of her second career LPGA title. “I think it’s one thing knowing what to do; another thing executing on it.”

China’s Lin looked poised to collect her first trophy in 202 starts on the LPGA until a misfire off the tee on the 17th hole bounced off a spectator in a chair, resulting in a lie that required negotiating a tree. Lin wound up bogeying the hole as Maguire tapped in for birdie up ahead on the 18th.

“I learned something today, how to stay in process, stay true with myself, with my own game,” said Lin, who recovered from a bout with COVID last week.

“I feel like I didn’t do the best, but I did pretty good.”

Ariya Jutanugarn tried to put together one of the best comebacks on the LPGA since the 1980s after an opening 73 put her outside the top 100. The former No. 1 played the next three rounds 64-66-66 to finish runner-up.

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Maguire will be one of the most talked-about players at next week’s KPMG Women’s PGA at famed Baltusrol Golf Club. She finished in the top 10 in two majors last season, including a career-best fourth at the AIG Women’s British Open at Muirfield. Maguire got a first look at Baltusrol’s Lower Course on Monday after the Mizuho Americas Open.

“It’s a beastly golf course,” she said. “It’s a real major venue. I think this week is good preparation for it. I feel like I drove the ball really well this week.

“I think the greens are going to be firm and fast there like they were here. A slightly different test, it being a major and all.”

The biggest key, Maguire said, will be resting and recovering as quickly as possible before getting to work on Monday in New Jersey with swing coach, Shane O’Grady, who has guided her since age 10.

O’Grady came to Orlando last week to work with Maguire at Lake Nona, making only minor adjustments. Maguire said her confidence has been strong for several weeks now, pointing to a key turning point to her season at the Chevron, when she shot 4 under on the back nine Friday to make the cut.

It’s worth noting that every champion in the history of the Meijer has won a major championship.

“I’m just trying to do what I do,” said Maguire, “and hopefully it’ll inspire a younger generation of Irish girls.”

Meijer LPGA Classic golfers reflect on dads on Father’s Day weekend

It is a special weekend for fathers and daughters across the LPGA.

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BELMONT, Mich. — The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give has become a staple on the LPGA.

This weekend is the ninth edition of the tournament at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan, just outside Grand Rapids.

This weekend is also Father’s Day weekend, as it has been every year, giving the golfers a little more to reflect about in this tournament, led by Ayaka Furue at 11 under.

Winners like Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson have shared a little extra special moments with their fathers after winning, and some golfers like Chella Choi have their father as their caddie.

But it is a special weekend for fathers and daughters across the tour.

Here is what some of the top golfers said about their fathers:

Meijer LPGA Classic defending champion: Jennifer Kupcho, USA (9 under, 2 shots back)

“My dad has always been a big part of my life on and off the golf course, especially on the golf course. When I first came out, he caddied for me the first five events. To be able to play on Father’s Day, and last year to win, it is always fun.”

Amy Yang, Korea (10 under, 1 shot back)

“In Korea, we have Parents Day. My father and I are really close. He sacrificed a lot for me to improve my game. We moved to Australia (at 15), and he was traveling with me up until COVID hit. He has always been around, helping me, and it means a lot.”

Lindsey Weaver-Wright, USA (9 under, 2 shots back)

“It is awesome that we always play this tournament on Fathers’ Day. My dad got me into the game, so it is always important for me to play well this weekend, a little gift for him.”

Emily Kristine Petersen, Denmark (9 under, 2 shots back)

“My dad has meant so much. I started traveling at the age of 12 and he was a partner in a law firm. He kind of went on his own so he could travel with me so I could pursue my dream even back then. It has meant the world to me. I definitely wouldn’t be here without my dad – or my mom – but my dad traveled with me a lot when I was younger.”

Jennifer Kupcho outlasts Nelly Korda, Leona Maguire to win playoff at Meijer LPGA Classic

Kupcho struggled on Sunday but made the most of the playoff.

Nelly Korda and Leona Maguire each birdied the par-5 closing hole to get into a three-way playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic.

Jennifer Kupcho made par on the last but in the playoff, she was the only one of the three to birdie the 18th at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan, clinching her second win of the season. Kupcho also won the Chevron Championship, her first major.

Kupcho led after 18 and 36 holes and only surrendered the 54-hole lead when Nelly Korda made eagle on the 18th hole Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Kupcho had an up-and-down round. She double bogeyed the third and bogeyed the sixth before rebounding with an eagle on No. 8 and birdies on Nos. 9, 12 and 14. A bogey on 16 led to a final-round 71 but she made the most of the playoff.

She will take home $375,000 for the win, giving her $1,333,521 in earnings this season and $2,831,793 in her career.

Lydia Ko missed out on the extra golf by a shot. Her final-round, bogey-free 68 left her just short at 17 under. Lexi Thompson birdied the 18th hole but bogeys on Nos. 11, 14 and 15 proved to much to overcome. She tied for fifth with Jessica Korda, Carlota Ciganda and Atthaya Thitikul. Brooke Henderson, last week’s winner on the LPGA, finished 15 under, tied for ninth.

The third major of the LPGA season is next week with the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which will be staged at historic Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Gerina Mendoza looks to inspire parents, women with her play at 2022 Meijer LPGA Classic

Finding balance is a priority for Gerina Mendoza, who’s always searching for equilibrium as a pro golfer and a mom.

BELMONT, Mich. — Bringing a new life into the world comes with several sacrifices and responsibilities, and Gerina Mendoza cherishes every moment.

Mendoza, who has 40 career top-10 finishes on the LPGA, had always wanted to be a mother, and her dreams came true on April 26, 2018, when she gave birth to a baby boy, Ajeo Piller. Mendoza’s outlook on life, and golf, was changed forever.

It’s needless to say that raising a child is challenging, especially while being a world-class professional golfer. Luckily for Mendoza, she is no stranger to tricky situations, and through golf has learned how to thrive when the pressure is on.

“It was a big change, just traveling with another human being, but the perspective of life and my priorities have definitely changed and just went towards him,” Mendoza said. “It gave me a good outlook and perspective of golf.”

Finding balance has always been a priority for Mendoza, and now more than ever, she searches for equilibrium. Between raising a toddler, flying from country to country and competing at the highest level of golf, Mendoza tries not to go longer than a week before reuniting with her son.

“He didn’t come with me this week [at the Meijer LPGA Classic], but he’ll be with me next week [at the KPMG],” Mendoza said. “When I used to go overseas, the max I would go would be two weeks, so that was kind of hard.”

Staying strong for her child and her career, Mendoza repeats a mantra to help separate her emotions about her child from her ongoing career, allowing her to refocus on what is right in front of her.

“It’s obviously hard, it’s not unfeasible, and the best advice I was given was from Juli Inkster,” Mendoza said. “She was like ‘If you’re on the golf course, be on the golf course, and if you’re at home with your son, be at home with your son, so wherever you’re at, just be present.’”

Although life on the road can strain her relationship with her son, Mendoza still finds the time to create those life-long memories with Ajeo. Her son may be too young to understand her golf career, but Mendoza ensures he will remember the quality time he spends with his mom.

“He loves to go to aquariums and zoos, and he’s obsessed with animals,” Mendoza said. “We travel with a bug box, and whatever we find or catch, whether lizards or roly-polies, butterflies or whatever. … I take him to a bounce house because, like any parent will tell you, you want to get the energy out.”

Thoughts of retirement may start to become more relevant for Mendoza as Ajeo gets older. Mendoza worries that her golf career may start heavily weighing on her relationship with her son, causing her to miss those big moments every parent wants to be a part of.

“It’s definitely crossed my mind. … fall 2023, he’ll be going to kindergarten,” Mendoza said. “Obviously, I can’t take him out of school to travel, so I’ll definitely be toning down the travel a little bit because I don’t want to miss those graduations … or science fairs or anything like that.”

Mendoza isn’t the only mom playing in the LPGA Meijer Classic. Brittany Lincicome is a mother to three-year-old Emery and expects another girl in September. Sharing similar experiences, Lincicome receives a big mood booster when Emery is out watching her golf.

“She’s been watching me play golf since she was born, so when she sees me put on my golf uniform, she says, mommy go play golf,” Lincicome said. “I love having her out there to see her little smiling face.”

Encouraging each other every day, Mendoza and Lincicome share advice and stories that help each other grow as players and parents and hope to inspire young women everywhere.

“Hopefully, we can be an inspiration to the younger girls and the younger generation that you don’t have to put your career on hold to start a family or sacrifice your career and your dreams, and you can do both,” Mendoza said. “We all know how hard it is like I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t know it was going to be this hard, and to see other moms doing it, it’s pretty cool.”

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Jennifer Kupcho holds lead at Meijer LPGA Classic, Nelly Korda shoots low round of day to climb into second

The third major on the 2022 LPGA schedule is next week.

BELMONT, Mich. — The third women’s major is next week but the game’s top players are making the most of this week’s event at Blythefield Country Club as a final tune-up.

Jennifer Kupcho, who won the Chevron Championship to kick off the 2022  major season, shot a second-round 67 and leads the field at the Meijer LPGA Classic by two at 14 under.

Nelly Korda shot a 7-under 65 on Friday to jump from a tie for seventh into solo second. Korda, who will be the defending champion at next week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at historic Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, is one three golfers to shoot a 65 on Friday.

The day was marked by winds that reached 20 mph.

“Golf is the luck of the draw, right? Unfortunately, sometimes you’re on the wrong side, and sometimes you’re on the good side of it,” Korda said. “You just have to fare with it and see how it goes.”

2022 Meijer LPGA Classic
Nelly Korda plays her second shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the 2022 Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Photo: Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Carlota Ciganda was another. She’s in solo third at 11 under. Brooke Henderson, who won her 11th LPGA title five days ago, is solo fourth at 10 under. Anna Nordqvist and Lexi Thompson are next on the leaderboard at 9 under, along with Madelene Sagstrom.

“Yeah, on eight, the wind was helping. I hit a good driver, and then I hit a small 9-iron to like six, seven feet,” Ciganda said. “And then on the last hole, driver just in the rough, I had 146 meters, and I hit a nine again. The wind was helping. I tried to hit it to the front. It went up maybe to like 20 feet, just short of the pin, and made it. So very happy with those two eagles.”

The third 65 was posted by Paula Reto, who is tied for ninth with Jessica Korda and Gerina Mendoza at 8 under.

U.S. Women’s Open champ Minjee Lee is in a group at 7 under, tied for 12th.

Among those who didn’t make the cut to the weekend: Patty Tavatanakit, Ally Ewing, Sei Young Kim, Yuka Saso and Inbee Park.

Sam Smith of the Holland Sentinel contributed to this article.

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Jennifer Kupcho storms out of the gate at Meijer LPGA Classic, leads by one over Gerina Mendoza

Jennifer Kupcho had seven birdies and an eagle in her bogey-free round of 63 on Thursday.

BELMONT, Mich. — It was a test of who wanted it more in the opening round of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give on Thursday.

And Jennifer Kupcho came out ready. Thanks for four early birdies and an eagle on No. 14, Kupcho carded a 9-under 63 to lead after the first round at Blythefield Country Club.

Consistency proved to be an aspect of the game Kupcho was working on by making six birdies on the front nine. In all, she hit 10 of 13 fairways and 16 greens. She also managed to save par each of the three times she hit into bunkers.

Although she sounded confident about her performance, she said she believes this is just one part of the puzzle.

“It’s important to me, but again, you never know what’s gonna happen there’s a lot of golf left,” Kupcho said. “So I’ll just go out there and control what I can control.

“I’m not really thinking about it honestly, I’m still a little angry that my last putt didn’t go in, so that’s where I’m at.”

Kupcho leads Gerina Mendoza by a shot after she fired an 8-under par 64, including an eagle on the par-5 18th hole. That slid her past Lexi Thompson, Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom, who are tied tied for third after they each posted 65s.

“I’ve just been trying to work on being more consistent. That’s kind of been my mantra my whole career. It’s been kind of all over the map recently, but I just really tried to focus on a spot in front of my ball and really commit to that line and to my swing,” Mendoza said.

Lately, Mendoza believes her numbers haven’t been good, but she “feels like her old self,” after Thursday’s round. Taking the time to settle in and find her groove, she had to remind herself to stay in the moment and not get ahead of herself after a few good shots.

“I haven’t really been posting many numbers as of late, so it just really gave me a big confidence boost and I kind of felt like my old self, just kind of plunking away and not thinking about the number or one more or calculating,” Mendoza said. “I just really stayed present in every shot. I know it’s very cliche to say, but it’s really what you have to do. Kind of just keep your head down.”

Thompson seemed pleased with her first round.

“I would say I was pretty good off the tee today. Like I said earlier, just staying in the moment, staying relaxed, not getting too high or low with my attitude,” she said. “Yeah, we’re not robots. We’re going to hit bad shots. It’s all a matter of getting over it as quickly as possible. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s just a matter of staying positive, staying in the moment, and knowing you can pull off the next shot.”

Nelly Korda is tied for seventh at at 5 under.

“It’s so nice to be back, just in the city of Grand Rapids, too. It’s super nice. I really like it here. Everyone is so welcoming, and the crowd really gets behind this entire event, and the city gets behind this entire event,” Korda said. “I just really enjoy being here. I like the golf course, and I like the atmosphere.”

Last week’s winner, Brooke Henderson, is tied for 15th at 4 under.

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