Tag: Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational prize money payouts at Midland Country Club

The duo earned $326,872.

[anyclip pubname=”2122″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8171″]

There are two winners this week at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, meaning two players are taking home the top prize.

The LPGA’s best took on Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan, this week in a team competition. With a major championship on the horizon next week in Europe, some players took the week off, but there was plenty of star power in the field looking to fine tune their games before the Amundi Evian Championship.

Cheyenne Knight and Elizabeth Szokol held on to their 54-hole lead to win at 23 under. Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan had a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff, but it just missed. Knight and Szokol earned $326,872 for their victory, splitting the first-place prize.

Here’s a look at the prize money payouts for the 2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

Position Player Score Earnings (per player)
1 Cheyenne Knight, Elizabeth Szokol -23 $326,872
2 Matilda Castren, Kelly Tan -22 $160,017
T3 Celine Boutier, Yuka Saso -20 $77,400
T3 Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Emma Talley -20 $77,400
T3 Celine Borge, Polly Mack -20 $77,400
6 Stacy Lewis, Maria Fassi -19 $49,366
7 Yan Liu, Muni He -17 $43,306
8 Sarah Kemp, Alena Sharp -16 $38,403
T9 Peiyun Chien, Yu-Sang Hou -14 $30,914
T9 Yu Liu, Ruixin Lin -14 $30,914
T9 Paula Reto, Amelia Lewis -14 $30,914
T9 Ana Belac, Bianca Pagdanganan -14 $30,914
T13 Daniela Darquea, Karis Davidson -13 $30,369
T13 Megan Khang, Alison Lee -13 $30,369
T13 Mi Hyang Lee, Jeongeun Lee5 -13 $30,369
T13 Wichanee Meechai, Pavarisa Yoktuan -13 $30,369
T17 Dewi Weber, Alexa Pano -12 $21,925
T17 Hae Ran Ryu, Yaeeun Hong -12 $21,925
T17 Carolina Inglis, Amanda Doherty -12 $21,925
T17 Sarah Schmelzel, Lindsey Weaver-Wright -12 $21,925
T21 Min Lee, Weiwei Zhang -11 $11,822
T21 Jennifer Chang, Karen Chung -11 $11,822
T21 Linnea Strom, Linnea Johansson -11 $11,822
T21 Jasmine Suwannapura, Cydney Clanton -11 $11,822
25 Maddie Szeryk, Lauren Hartlage -10 $9,737
T26 Hannah Green, Su Oh -9 $9,125
T26 Pornanong Phatlum, Dottie Ardina -9 $8,853
T26 Pauline Roussin, Pernilla Lindberg -9 $8,853
T29 Pajaree Anannarukarn, Aditi Ashok -8 $7,218
T29 Yealimi Noh, Soo Bin Joo -8 $7,218
T31 Savannah Grewal, Annabelle Pancake -6 $6,469
T31 Julietta Granada, Sofia Garcia -6 $6,469
33 Christie Kerr, Kristy McPherson -5 $6,060
T34 Christina Kim, Lindy Duncan -4 $5,788
T34 Haeji Kang, Tiffany Chan -4 $5,846
36 Sophia Schubert, Haylee Harford -1 $5,345
37 Jasmine Ly, Kimberly Dinh 1 $5,209

 

Cheyenne Knight, Elizabeth Szokol hold on for victory at 2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

It’s the first LPGA victory for Szokol.

[anyclip pubname=”2122″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8171″]

Matilda Castren smacked her putt, and partner Kelly Tan watched anxiously as it rolled toward the cup.

The ball looked as if it was going in the whole way, but instead, it broke hard right at the hole and missed. Standing off to the side of the 18th green, Cheyenne Knight and Elizabeth Szokol gave a hug to each other before Emma Talley and Maria Fassi rushed the green and sprayed them in champagne.

Knight and Szokol held on to their 54-hole lead, shooting 5-under 65 to hold on at 23 under and win the 2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan. For Knight, it’s her second LPGA victory while Szokol picked up her first. It was their third start as partners in the tournament.

“It’s amazing to get my first win,” Szokol said. “It’s something I’ve been working for a long time, and it’s so tough to win out here. Everyone is such a great player.

“So to finally do that, and it’s even better with Cheyenne by my side. We’ve been talking about this event all year. And since our good finish last year, we couldn’t wait to get back, and to actually win is pretty amazing.”

Knight and Szokol also became the second American duo to win the event, joining defending champions Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas.

They each won $326,872.

Castren’s putt would’ve forced a playoff, but her and Tan settled for solo second at 22 under. There was a three-way tie for third at 20 under, including Celine Boutier/Yuka Saso, Jodi Ewart Shadoff/Talley and Celine Borge/Polly Mack.

There was a nearly two-hour rain delay with the leaders on the 13th hole, but Knight and Szokol made two birdies down the stretch to hold on.

“It was hard going to the rain delay, two-shot lead coming back, and it evaporated really quickly,” Knight said. “It was just surreal. It was, like, wow, we did it. We’ve been out here all day, but we did it. So it was just, yeah, pure joy.”

Up next is the fourth women’s major championship of the year, the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in France. Brooke Henderson is the defending champion.

Cheyenne Knight, Elizabeth Szokol lead LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes team event

The Dow is the first official team competition in LPGA Tour history.

The duo of Cheyenne Knight and Elizabeth Szokol was tied for 18th after the first round and tied for sixth after the second.

After 54 holes at the LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, the duo holds the outright lead, three clear of the field.

And they did so by posting the tournament’s 18-hole foursomes scoring record.

“We’re really good friends, so I think we’re very comfortable playing together,” Szokol  said. “We know each other really well, and I have so much trust in Cheyenne’s game, and that makes it so much easier for alternate shot.”

On Friday, Knight/Szokol recorded a 62, their day featuring a back-nine 29, nine total birdies and only one bogey at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan.

“I think our goal every day is just to have fun. I think before we started on Wednesday, alternate shot you are a little bit nervous, but we just said, let’s just have fun and enjoy it,” Knight said. “We don’t get a format like this or a team event very often, so it’s just super fun.”

Knight and Szokol are at 18 under overall, three ahead of Matilda Castren/Kelly Tan. Celine Borge/Polly Mack are tied for third at 13 under along with Shadoff and Talley.

Knight has one LPGA win, the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic. Szokol is seeking her first victory.

Notable teams that missed the Thursday cut included Brooke Henderson/Lexi Thompson, Ruoning Yin/Xiaowen Yin and Georgia Hall/Ryann O’Toole.

The tournament concludes Saturday, giving those headed to the LPGA’s next major, the Amundi Evian Championship in France, an extra day for travel and preparation.

Sunday finish for Dow in 2024

The Dow started in 2019 and has always featured a Saturday finish. Next year, however, it’ll conclude on a Sunday.

The first official team competition in LPGA Tour history, the Dow is shifting dates to accommodate the 2024 Summer Olympics, which will be in Paris.

Matilda Castren, Kelly Tan pick up where they left off at LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes

A year ago, Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan got off to a lukewarm start, but got progressively hotter through the week.

[anyclip pubname=”2122″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8171″]

The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational is the second of three team events on the LPGA schedule in 2023.

Thailand won the Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown earlier this year. In September, of course, is the Solheim Cup. Both of those events are based on teams made of players from the same country.

This week, at the Dow at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan, the players get to make their own teams and one of the more interesting duos is the pairing of Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson, who are teaming up for the first time.

A year ago, the duo of Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan got off to a lukewarm start with a 69 in the opening round, but got progressively hotter through the week, posting rounds of 61 and 62 en route to a second-place finish behind champs Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas.

But this year, Castren and Tan picked up right where they left off, using a 64 to get out to a one-stroke lead over Amelia Lewis and Paula Reto.

Paula Reto of South Africa hits her tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club on July 19, 2023, in Midland, Michigan. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

“I felt like I was way more comfortable today than last year the first round, but I think that helps, and also knowing those good memories,” Tan said, soon after the duo birdied four of the last six holes to storm into the lead.

“And, you know, you go up to the hole, and you kind of are saying, oh, last year I chipped in from here and stuff like that. You have those good memories, so that helps with … actually calms me down and makes me happy and excited all day.

“I felt like we gelled really well today, honestly. She struck the ball so good. I had the chance to make the putt. And, I mean, I think vice versa. We both played pretty good today. There’s no complaints.”

Meanwhile, the Swedish team of Linnea Johansson and Linnea Strom had a wild ride with three bogeys and seven birdies in a colorful card, but the tandem is just two shots off the pace.

If the team can prove victorious, it would make for quite a stretch for Swedish golf as countryman Linn Grant secured her first victory last weekend at the Dana Open. 

“Every time a Swedish player wins on any tour it’s great, and both of us were lucky to be there. It’s not every week you can be there when someone wins. So we decided to stay and be there for Linn, and it was just an incredible performance. It’s always fun to see someone play so well,” Johansson said. “When I left Sunday, we drove here in the car, and I said, like, Hey, we just have to ride on this. We’re all there for each other and support each other. We are trying to do whatever we can to ride on her great performance from last week.”

“Yeah, I agree,” Strom added. “It just gives so much energy and so much fun to be there on the 18 to watch her win. I think we just have a little bit of energy from last week. We got to do that together, you know, especially for her. It was pretty cool. It’s a lot of fun.”

“Gives me chills just talking about it,” Johansson said.

As for that Thompson/Henderson team, they posted a 3-over 73 on Thursday, nine shots off the pace.

Jane Park returning to LPGA action for first time since daughter’s life-changing incident

Players will also wear ribbons throughout the week to show their support for Jane and Grace.

[anyclip pubname=”2122″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8171″]

Jane Park is set to play in her first LPGA event in two years next week when she returns to action at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Midland, Michigan, at Midland Country Club.

Park hasn’t played since the 2021 Volunteers of America. While Park was playing, her then-10-month-old daughter Grace experienced a series of undiagnosed seizures and subsequently suffered severe brain damage, now requiring full-time care.

Park’s husband, professional caddie Pete Godfrey, will caddie for Park. Grace also will be in attendance. Park will team up with Paula Creamer.

“It’s my honor and privilege to compete in the 2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Championship partnered with my great friend Paula Creamer,” Park said in a release. “With the help of family, friends and so many others, I’ll be able to see my LPGA family again inside the ropes one more time. I’m incredibly nervous just like I used to be when I competed full time, but I know my partner will pick up my slack. My husband Pete will be on my bag, so hopefully he will give me some good clubs. The cherry on top is that Grace will be there to say hello to her friends. I can’t wait for everyone to see her again and we are looking forward to making new memories with everyone.”

Last December, Anne van Dam raced a half ironman to raise money for Grace. The week after the incident, LPGA players rallied behind Park and Grace.

Special hats will be available to purchase at the Great Lakes Bay Invitational with proceeds donated to the Epilepsy Foundation and the Golf4Her Foundation. Players will also wear ribbons throughout the week to show their support.

“We are proud to be able to host Jane, Pete and Grace at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational next week,” Dow GLBI Executive Director Carlos Padilla II said in a release. “We hope to be able to showcase the incredible hospitality of the Great Lakes Bay Region to their family, while also helping bring awareness to epilepsy. Fans should plan to come out and support Jane and Paula on the course.”

Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas dominate Dow team event; Kupcho notches third victory of 2022

“I don’t want to get emotional, but it’s just been a magical week.”

The chemistry was so good so quickly between Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas at last year’s Solheim Cup that then-assistant captain Stacy Lewis recalled the pair coming off the golf course and saying “Do not break us up.”

After going 2-0-1 at Inverness, the Kupcho and Salas remain undefeated after a commanding five-stroke victory at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Their closing 61 put them 26-under 254, within one stroke of the tournament record.

“I think we just have a lot of faith in each other,” said Kupcho. “We make each other comfortable.”

Lizette Salas of the United States (L) and Jennifer Kupcho of the United States drink champagne after winning the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club on July 16, 2022, in Midland, Michigan. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Kupcho, now a three-time winner on the LPGA, including a major, is a leading contender for LPGA Player of the Year. She came into this event No. 9 in the world and heads into next week’s Amundi Evian Championship as a player to watch. The 25-year-old tied for second at Evian as a rookie in 2019.

For Salas, the win at Midland Country Club marked her first LPGA victory in eight years. In that span, she has posted six runner-up finishes, including three at major championships. Salas turns 33 on Sunday.

“Man, it’s been a long time,” she said, “but if I were to win again it would be with Jennifer. We got to spend the whole week together and to continue the momentum that we had back in September. I don’t want to get emotional, but it’s just been a magical week.”

Matilda Castren nearly aced the par-3 18th to lock up solo second alongside partner Kelly Tan. This marks the first top-10 finish of Tan’s career. The pair became close friends while competing on the Epson Tour.

Tan asked Castren, who became the first player from Finland to win on the LPGA last year, to be her maid of honor at her wedding in December.

“I feel like if you would wind back the clock and stop us there and literally tell us in a few years you guys are going to be playing this tournament and you’re going to finish second, I think it was going to be really hard for both of us to believe because we both were really just – I just feel like at the lowest point of our career,” said Tan.

“It just feels really good that we got out of the hole, and being able to compete at such (a) high level and finish second this week proving to us that we could do it.”

Stacy Lewis and Maria Fassi closed with a 59 to jump up to third. Last year, this event served as a springboard for Fassi, who learned a lot playing alongside the fellow Razorback star.

“I mean, I think it’s confidence for both of us,” said Lewis. “I felt like I played some better golf this year and maybe the results haven’t showed, and talking to her, I think she could probably say the same thing.

“Just for both of us to see some putts go in and see some shots go in and doing what you are trying to do, it doesn’t matter what format it is.”

Fassi credited the time spent with Lewis last year for improving her course management. This year, Fassi focused more on the mental side.

“I think the last two days were very good on that regard,” she said. “We’ve been talking a lot and it’s just been cool to see why she’s the player she is. A lot of it comes from her head.”

Sisters Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda closed with a 10-under 60 to move into a share of eighth.

“I was kind of just making pars and coming in for reads,” said Jessica with a laugh.

Former No. 1 Nelly made eight birdies and an eagle on her own ball.

“It’s nice to know that I can still shoot that low and to make some clutch putts, which was really nice,” said Nelly. “It was a lot of fun. We had fun this week, and hopefully, I can carry it into the next couple of weeks as well.”

After co-leading the tournament on Wednesday, Annika Sorenstam and Madelene Sagstrom finished in a share of 28th. A third-round 72 derailed their efforts.

Turns out Sorenstam strained her neck prior to Friday’s round while stretching about an hour before their tee time. She felt better on Saturday, which bodes well for the 10-major winner as she heads to the Senior LPGA next week in Kansas.

“I feel it’s been a great week in a lot of ways,” said Sorenstam. “Haven’t really thought about next week yet. I mean, I’m just one day at a time. As a matter of fact, I’m heading to Minnesota in between, so I’m sure my mind will be a little bit there first.”

Karrie Webb and Marina Alex took a share of 15th. This marked the first time Sorenstam and Webb were in the same field at an LPGA event since 2008. Webb heads next to Kansas, too, for her debut in a senior major.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Jennifer Kupcho, Lizette Salas take 54-hole lead at LPGA team event Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

It’s a little bit of a different week for the LPGA, which is holding a team event featuring a Saturday finish.

It’s a little bit of a different week for the LPGA, where the tour is holding its only team event on the schedule, the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

There’s also a Saturday finish at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan, this week, which gives those heading to France to the next major, the Amundi Evian Championship, an extra day for travel and preparation.

What was not different Friday was another low round for the team of Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas, who had the best round of the day with a 6-under 64, which vaulted them into the outright lead by four shots after 54 holes at 17 under.

In Kupcho’s other win this season, at the Chevon Championship, she led by six heading into the final round.

Kupcho and Salas were one of six teams to post a stellar 61 on Thursday, a score only bested by the 59 shot by Sarah Jane Smith and Mariajo Uribe.

In solo second at 13 under, four shots back, is the team of Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan, who also shot a 61 on Thursday but settled for a 67 on Friday.

In third are the teams of Paulin Roussin and Dewi Weber, who led by three shots after two rounds but posted a 73 in the third round, as well as Tiffany Chan and Haeji Kang.

Karrie Webb and teammate Marina Alex are tied for fifth at 10 under along with A Lim Kim and Yealimi Noh and the team of Cheyenne Knight and Elizabeth Szokol, who shot a 4 under 66, the second-best Friday score.

Annika Sorenstam and Madelene Sagstrom, who co-led after 18 holes after a 65, stumbled to a 2-over 72 on Friday and sit in a tie for 18th.

[listicle id=778058320]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

A 59, six 61s: Low scores galore in second round at LPGA team event Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

Low scores were scattered all over the leaderboard at the Midland Country Club on Thursday.

Sarah Jane Smith and Mariajo Uribe shot a 74 in the LPGA’s lone team event in Wednesday’s opening round but produced a score 15 shots better Thursday at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

That’s right, the dynamic duo teamed up for a 59 on the par-70 course in the second round. But, that was only good enough to get into a tie for 16th after 36 holes.

Low scores were scattered all over the leaderboard at the Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan, on Thursday, with six teams posting a 61 in the second round.

The 61 carded by the team of Pauline Roussin and Dewi Weber was highlighted by an ace on the par-3 7th hole by Roussin. They lead the tournament by three shots at 14 under.

Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas, who combined for 10 birdies and a bogey, also shot 61 on Thursday. They are in solo second at 11 under, three shots back.

There are five teams tied for third at 10 under, and that group includes two more teams who shot 61: Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan as well as Sarah Kemp and Elena Sharp.

Sophia Popov and Anne van Dam are tied for eighth after they carded a 61. Amanda Doherty and Sophia Schubert also shot a 61.

There were 11 62s posted, including Tiffany Chan and Haeji Kang, who are among those teams tied for third.

Marina Alex, playing alongside LPGA legend Karrie Webb, shot a 62. They are tied for sixth. A Lim Kim and Yealimi Noh also posted a 62.

Annika Sorenstam and Madelene Sagstrom shot a 66, one day after a 65 put them atop the leaderboard. They are now tied for eighth with two days to go.

Sorenstam, a 51-year-old mother of two, retired from the LPGA in 2008 but began competing in several events last year in the run-up to her debut in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, which she won. The 72-time winner last won on the LPGA on May 11, 2008, at the Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill. Should Sorenstam win on Saturday, it would be 5,179 days since her last LPGA title.

Nelly and Jessica Korda shot 69-63 in the first two days and are tied for 12th. The defending champions of the tournament are another sister squad, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn. Their Thursday 64 wasn’t enough, however, to salvage their first-round 73, leading to a missed cut.

The Dow features a Saturday finish. The LPGA’s fourth major of 2022 is July 21-24 at the Amundi Evian Championship in France.

Beth Ann Nichols contributed to this article.

[listicle id=778058320]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Like old times: Annika Sorenstam, Madelene Sagstrom take share of lead at LPGA team event

While it may look like a bit of a flashback, this is real time: Annika Sorenstam leads the LPGA.

While it may look like a bit of a flashback, this is real time: Annika Sorenstam leads the LPGA.

Of course, the LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer is partnered this week with Madelene Sagstrom, a talented young Swede who was one of Sorenstam’s captain’s picks in the 2017 Solheim Cup.

Together, they co-lead the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational after an opening 5-under 65 in the alternate-shot format that included only one late bogey. Pauline Roussin and Dewi Weber share the lead with the Swedes at Midland Country Club, where morning rain delayed tee times by 2 hours and 40 minutes.

It was after 4 p.m. local time by the time Sorenstam and Sagstrom teed off.

“I was excited to be here,” said Sorenstam, “and I told that to Madelene on the range. I was really kind of pumped and looking forward to playing.”

2022 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational
Annika Sorenstam and teammate Madelene Sagstrom on the eighth hole during the first round of the 2022 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan. (Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Sagstrom, who is currently No. 31 in the world, is a beautiful driver of the golf ball, and the pair knew they could use her length to an advantage, given Sorenstam’s wedge game.

“I think, like we mentioned yesterday, giving Annika as many wedges as possible,” Sagstrom, “and my strategy is always to get on the green as fast as possible. If I get it going, I can make a lot of putts, which I did today. It worked out really well.”

Sorenstam, a 51-year-old mother of two, retired from the LPGA in 2008 but began competing in several events last year in the run-up to her debut in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, which she won. The 72-time winner last won on the LPGA on May 11, 2008, at the Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill. Should Sorenstam win on Saturday, it would be 5,179 days since her last LPGA title.

She’s currently in the midst of a three-week stretch, having played in the American Century Championship last week in Lake Tahoe. Next week she’ll make her debut in the Senior LPGA Championship in Kansas.

This marked Sorenstam’s first time playing a competitive foursomes format since the 2007 Solheim Cup. Sorenstam compiled a career 22-11-4 record at the Solheim Cup, including 11-3-1 in foursomes.

Sorenstam and Sagstrom both live in the Orlando area and spent time practicing together ahead of this week.

“It’s a tough format,” said Sorenstam. “I think the key here today is we have spent a little time together, so it wasn’t just, okay, let’s hook up and play.

“I’m comfortable with her game. I know what she’s capable of doing, and I think she’s also gotten to know me a little bit. It’s not a surprise what comes out of my game, and I’m not super surprised, even though I’m super glad what you did.”

This week also marks the first time that Sorenstam and Karrie Webb have been in the same field since 2008. Webb and partner Marina Alex shot 1-under 69 in their opening round and are tied with a host of players, including sisters Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Sisters Jessica Korda and Nelly Korda off to strong start at rain-soaked LPGA team event

“It was the first day, but alternate shot is tough, and you forget how out of rhythm you get in alternate shot.”

Sisters Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda were amazed by the number of fans waiting in line to scan their tickets early Wednesday morning in the pouring rain at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

“That’s dedication right there,” said Jessica of the Midland Michigan, community.

The Korda sisters – “Team Jelly” – opened up play with a 1-under 69 in the alternate-shot format, one stroke behind early clubhouse leaders Amy Olson/Katherine Kirk and Frida Kinhult/Linnea Johansson. Play was halted mid-morning due to heavy rain and delayed for 2 hours and 40 minutes, resuming at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The Kordas, who also team up at the Solheim Cup, bogeyed the first hole but played the next 17 in 2 under. The pair tied for 12th in 2019 and tied for 17th last year at the Dow.

“We’re kind of ham-and -egging it pretty well,” said Jessica. “It was the first day, but alternate shot is tough, and you forget how out of rhythm you get in alternate shot.

“I think the first day is always kind of the toughest because you are trying to find your footing in it. But yeah, take under par. Anything under par is always good.”

Close friends Olson and Kirk also bogeyed the first hole, and Olson had an unusual response: She smiled.

“That’s not your typical response when it’s just you, right?” said Olson. “There is just something about having a partner, someone who has your back, and you’re, like, it’s going to be fine, we got this that kind of helps you almost boost yourself up while you’re trying to lift your teammate up.”

Kinhult and Johansson – “Team Swedish Fish” – are playing together for the first time in this event. Kinhult, who likes to analyze, figured out who should tee off where.

“Don’t get me started,” said Kinhult, laughing. “I’m crazy with numbers and stats and stuff like that. I do it for fun, and it seems like it worked out good today. Just happy.”

While some partnerships this week first developed at Solheim Cups, Kristy McPherson and Maddie Szeryk played alongside each other at Q-Series. This is McPherson’s second LPGA event of the season, having played only the ShopRite ahead of this week.

“I mean, I just rode her today,” said the 41-year-old McPherson, “just let her do all the heavy lifting, and it’s nice. She’s so consistent, and like I said, I played with her at Q-Series and she birdied the last two to get her card, and that’s means a lot, and it’s hard to do when you know you have to do it, and she asked me to play.”

LPGA Hall of Famers Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb are competing in the same tour event for the first time since 2008. While Sorenstam is with fellow Swede Madelene Sagstrom, Webb is partnered with good friend Marina Alex. Both teams went off late in the afternoon due to the morning weather delay.

[listicle id=778282796]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]