Tag: Meijer LPGA Classic

‘This is the most meaningful win’: Lilia Vu outlasts Lexi Thompson, Grace Kim in overtime at Meijer LPGA Classic

Vu’s extra time off seems to have paid off handsomely.

Lilia Vu took some extra time returning from a lingering back injury, skipping a second major championship, and it seems to have paid off handsomely.

The former No. 1 started the day eight shots back and survived a three-hole playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic against former champion Lexi Thompson and overnight leader Grace Kim to win in her first start since late March.

“I think this is the most meaningful win,” said Vu, “because there was a time two months ago where I was just crying on the range not being sure if I would every play a tournament again without pain.”

Thompson, who announced that she’s stepping away from a full-time competitive schedule at the end of this season, was vying to win on the LPGA for the first time in five years during what’s become a farewell tour.

Vu posted a closing 65, the day’s best round, to take the clubhouse lead at 16 under. As a number of players struggled down the stretch, Thompson nearly pitched in for eagle on par-5 18th to win it outright. Instead, she finished knotted with Vu after a final-round 68.

“It was looking good the whole way,” said Thompson of the pitch. “Honestly I probably would’ve putted it if that sprinkler wasn’t in my way, but I guess I’m kind of happy I didn’t putt it because I don’t think I would’ve putted it that close.”

Kim, who suffered a tough loss earlier this year at the JM Eagle LA Championship after enjoying a big lead, saw her five-stroke advantage in Michigan disappear in four holes. Still, the Aussie battled to keep in it and make it a three-way playoff at Blythefield Country Club, where fans were out in droves.

The trio went back to the 18th twice, making one clutch birdie putt after another. For the third playoff hole, the group went to the par-5 fourth.

It was there that Vu separated herself, getting up and down for birdie from a greenside bunker to claim her first title in 2024. The former UCLA standout won four times last season, including two majors, but has been riddled with injury this season, unable to to defend at the Chevron Championship.

“I think the breaking point, tipping point was Chevron,” said Vu. “Not being able to compete there really killed me. I feel like I thought I was taking the steps in the right direction, but I’m glad that I was able to take a couple months off and reevaluate my body, let it recover, do what I needed to do to get back out here again.

“And we did the right thing and took two months off. I think it hurt me not to play competitive golf because I literally live for competitive golf, but we did the right thing and that’s why I’m here today.”

Thompson called her 29 on the front nine Saturday one of the best stretches she’s had on the golf course. The 29-year-old shot 65 in the third round and came into Sunday five shots back. With a new caddie on the bag and a return to a conventional putting grip, Thompson looked lighter inside the ropes as she drained over 100 feet of putts in the third round.

On Sunday, she made a number of clutch putts late in the day.

“It was an amazing day out there,” said Thompson. “You know, the golf is one thing, but just to be able to play in front of all amazing fans, especially coming down the stretch and on the playoff holes.

“I don’t think I’ve heard cheers like that unless it’s like Solheim Cup, which is just an amazing feeling. I got chills every time.”

Kim said she tried to channel the extra nerves into good energy as much as she could. The 23-year-old is already looking to ahead.

“I think going the three playoff holes with the Player of the Year last year, two major champions and obviously Lexi just being an icon for women’s golf says a lot about my game I guess,” said Kim.

“Obviously didn’t get it done. Yeah, it sucks, but I think I can see myself I guess in the future as well. Just how much I’ve grown as well. It’s only my second year out, and to be in this position it’s, as you can tell, overwhelming.”

Vu earned $450,000 for the win.

Meijer LPGA Classic 2024 prize money payouts for all the LPGA golfers at Blythefield Country Club

Vu earned $450,000 out of the $3 million purse.

Lilia Vu started the day eight strokes back at the Meijer LPGA Classic and stormed her way into the winner’s circle. The 2023 LPGA Player of the Year collected her first victory of the season in her first start in more than two months.

The former No. 1, who has been struggling with a back injury all season, earned $450,000 for her efforts. She now has $558,825 this season and $4,983,897 in her career.

Lexi Thompson and Grace Kim, who took a share of second after coming up short in a three-way playoff, earned $234,649.

With $3 million up for grabs, check out how much money each LPGA player earned this week at the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic:

Pos. Golfer Score Earnings
1 Lilia Vu -16* $450,000
T2 Lexi Thompson -16 $234,649
T2 Grace Kim -16 $234,649
4 Ally Ewing -15 $152,634
T5 Allisen Corpuz -14 $111,685
T5 Narin An -14 $111,685
7 Kristen Gillman -13 $84,136
T8 Ayaka Furue -12 $64,032
T8 Atthaya Thitikul -12 $64,032
T8 Ryann O’Toole -12 $64,032
T8 Alison Lee -12 $64,032
T12 Yu Jin Sung -11 $46,162
T12 Georgia Hall -11 $46,162
T12 Paula Reto -11 $46,162
T12 Natthakritta Vongtaveelap -11 $46,162
T12 Anna Nordqvist -11 $46,162
T17 Hira Naveed -10 $33,803
T17 Lauren Hartlage -10 $33,803
T17 Gabriela Ruffels -10 $33,803
T17 Nanna Koerstz Madsen -10 $33,803
T17 Carlota Ciganda -10 $33,803
T17 Nataliya Guseva -10 $33,803
T17 Aditi Ashok -10 $33,803
T17 Alexa Pano -10 $33,803
T25 Ariya Jutanugarn -9 $26,358
T25 Marina Alex -9 $26,358
T25 Jin Hee Im -9 $26,358
T25 Jing Yan -9 $26,358
T25 Yuna Nishimura -9 $26,358
T30 Sarah Schmelzel -8 $22,039
T30 Maria Fassi -8 $22,039
T30 Jiwon Jeon -8 $22,039
T30 Lizette Salas -8 $22,039
T34 Mao Saigo -7 $18,689
T34 In Kyung Kim -7 $18,689
T34 Jeongeun Lee6 -7 $18,689
T34 Brooke M. Henderson -7 $18,689
T38 Xiaowen Yin -6 $16,132
T38 Chanettee Wannasaen -6 $16,132
T38 Jeongeun Lee5 -6 $16,132
T41 Yealimi Noh -5 $12,992
T41 Caroline Masson -5 $12,992
T41 Roberta Liti -5 $12,992
T41 Angela Stanford -5 $12,992
T41 Eun-Hee Ji -5 $12,992
T41 Caroline Inglis -5 $12,992
T41 Hinako Shibuno -5 $12,992
T41 Jaravee Boonchant -5 $12,992
T49 Laura Wearn -4 $10,312
T49 Arpichaya Yubol -4 $10,312
T49 Madelene Sagstrom -4 $10,312
T49 Weiwei Zhang -4 $10,312
T53 Azahara Munoz -3 $8,356
T53 Auston Kim -3 $8,356
T53 Celine Boutier -3 $8,356
T53 Stephanie Meadow -3 $8,356
T53 Lindsey Weaver-Wright -3 $8,356
T53 Ssu-Chia Cheng -3 $8,356
T53 Jennifer Kupcho -3 $8,356
T53 Laetitia Beck -3 $8,356
T53 Lindy Duncan -3 $8,356
T62 Malia Nam -2 $6,999
T62 Jennifer Chang -2 $6,999
T62 Bianca Pagdanganan -2 $6,999
T65 Leona Maguire -1 $6,477
T65 Hye-Jin Choi -1 $6,477
T65 Wei-Ling Hsu -1 $6,477
T65 Morgane Metraux -1 $6,477
T69 Moriya Jutanugarn E $5,938
T69 Ruixin Liu E $5,938
T69 Muni He E $5,938
T69 Brittany Lincicome E $5,938
T73 Kelly Tan 1 $5,625
T73 Ashleigh Buhai 1 $5,625
T73 Daniela Darquea 1 $5,625
T73 Keera Foocharoen 1 $5,625
T77 Peiyun Chien 2 $5,380
T77 Mi Hyang Lee 2 $5,380
T77 Hee Young Park 2 $5,380
T80 Alena Sharp 6 $5,209
T80 Isabella Fierro 6 $5,209

 

Ally Ewing, Grace Kim tied for lead while Nelly Korda missed the cut at 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic

Ewing shot 63 on Friday, while Kim posted a 65.

The third women’s major of the year is next week at Sahalee Country Club, but before the ladies make their way to the Seattle area for the KPMG Women’s PGA, this week brings the 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic.

As the Meijer heads to the weekend, Ally Ewing and Grace Kim share the lead at 11 under at Blythfield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan.

Ewing shot 63 on Friday, her bogey-free round marked by seven birdies and an eagle. Ewing had a 66 on Sunday at the U.S. Women’s Open two weeks ago to forge a tie for third.

Kim has opened 68-65 and has 10 birdies and two eagles with just three bogeys so far. She’ll try to avoid a repeat of the JM Eagle LA Championship six weeks ago where she led after 36 holes but shot 76-77 over the weekend.

“You know you’re in a good position when you’re in contention and playing in the last few groups on the weekend so making sure that take that in, don’t get too nervous,” she said. “I know the nerves will be there, but I guess that’s normal. Like that’s what you get for being good at golf. Everyone will be nervous, and I think the leaderboard is quite stacked, so, yeah, just got to play your own game.”

2024 Meijer LPGA Classic
Grace Kim acknowledges the crowd after a putt on the eighth green during the second round of the 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club. (Photo: Raj Mehta/Getty Images)

Lilia Vu, who is making her first start since the Ford Championship 10 weeks ago, followed up her first-round 69 with a 70 and is 2 under.

Nelly Korda misses second straight cut

There was a field of 144 to start the week but among the notables who won’t play the weekend are Nelly Korda, whose Friday 67 wasn’t enough to overcome her Thursday 76. She finished 1 under and missed the cut by two shots.

In a season where she has won six times – including four in a row – Korda has now missed two straight cuts. She failed to make the weekend at the U.S. Women’s Open two weeks ago. Korda won the 2021 KPMG, the first of her two major titles.

Nelly Korda, winner of six events this season, reveals her proudest moment of 2024 … and it might surprise

Nelly is going for her seventh win.

Nelly Korda, a six-time winner on tour this season, says she was never more proud of herself this season than the U.S. Women’s Open. That might sound strange, given that she made a 10 on a par 3 and didn’t play the weekend.

But Korda is wise enough to see past the score.

“I’m not going to say that I was happy with the way I played,” she said. “I was happy with the way I fought. I fought really, really, hard to make the cut.”

This week, Korda comes back to the Meijer LPGA Classic, a place where she’s had great success, winning in 2021 and coming up short in a playoff the following year. Michigan’s Grand Rapids area is one of her favorite stops on tour, and it’s where she hit the reset button three years ago after a devastating missed cut at the U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic Club.

Korda went on to win the Meijer that week, followed by the KPMG Women’s PGA the next and Olympic gold later that summer in Japan.

“I just told myself, like, I’m doing what I love for a living,” she said of her mindset going into the 2021 Meijer. “Like, I’m going to amazing places, playing in front of amazing crowds. There is no point to be miserable out there. Go out and have fun. Even if you’re not playing well.

“Sometimes you have to build a bridge and get over it.”

2023 Meijer LPGA Classic
Leona Maguire hoists the 2023 Meijer LPGA Classic trophy at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. (Photo: Cody Scanlan/Holland Sentinel)

On Thursday, Korda will be paired with a couple of other past champions at the Meijer, 2023 winner Leona Maguire and two-time champ Brooke Henderson. Maguire calls the Meijer the unofficial start of summer for the LPGA and relishes the Irish vibes of the Midwest.

“I think a lot of people associate Irish golf with links golf, primarily around the coast and things like that,” said Maguire, “but actually a lot of Irish golf courses are like this – a lot of trees, very green. That’s mainly because of a lot of the rain we get. I grew up playing courses like that more than links golf.

“And I think just the people as well, the friendly atmosphere around I think the midwest is a little bit more similar to the Irish mentality in that way.”

Korda enjoys the aggressive nature of Blythefield Country Club, where the par 5s are reachable with irons for the World No. 1, and there’s a potential birdie around every corner. The narrow fairways call for precise driving, which is typically a strength for the 14-time winner. The crowds are typically strong, too.

Korda took a week off after the U.S. Women’s Open, skipping last week’s ShopRite event. She decompressed for a few days, took her mind off the game, and then went back to work.

When asked whether a bump in the road like Lancaster makes her even more motivated for the rest of 2024, Korda’s response revealed much about her mature outlook.

“Yeah, I mean, I love when golf humbles me. Not to that extent,” she said with a smile, “but I do love when golf humbles me. Sometimes you ride the highs, but it’s always, in a sense, nice to know where you can improve, too.”

Lilia Vu returns to action at this week’s Meijer LPGA Classic focused on lower-belly breathing

“I kind of had to reevaluate my game and how my body moves,” Vu said.

Lilia Vu is more focused on her breathing this week than her ball-flight. The world No. 2 returns to action at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Belmont, Michigan, her first start since a recurring back injury forced her to withdraw prior to the start of the Chevron Championship in April.

Vu, 26, won four times last year, including two majors, but has been hampered most of 2024 by injury. Wednesday’s pro-am at the Meijer will be her first 18-hole round since taking a near two-month break from the tour.

“Definitely been a process,” said Vu during a pre-tournament press conference. “I kind of had to reevaluate my game and how my body moves. I think that was the most important thing, and it was kind of the best time to kind of work on my stability and compensation. Worked really hard over the past couple weeks getting that ready.”

This marks the 10th edition of the Meijer, which features a $3-million purse and five past champions in the field, including world No. 1 Nelly Korda, two-time winner Brooke Henderson, Leona Maguire, Jennifer Kupcho and Lexi Thompson.

“I think this course requires a different mentality than just about every single week on tour, which is really fun,” said Henderson of Blythefield Country Club.

 “You’re chasing birdies right from the start, especially on Sunday. If you want to move up the leaderboard or keep your position, then you know that you have to go low.”

Brooke Henderson of Canada holds the winner’s trophy after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club on June 16, 2019 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Vu hasn’t seen much of Blythefield, playing the tournament once, two years ago, when she tied for 12th.

During her time off, Vu didn’t change anything technical about her swing, but she has grown more conscious about the way she sits, stands, lies down and breathes, calling it lower-belly breathing.

“I know my patterns,” she said. “I don’t want to get so technical with it because it’s just going to bore everybody. I escape on my right hip, and so trying to breathe through that hip more. Little stuff like that.”

Vu said her team has been trying to get her to make small adjustments for some time now, but because she was playing so well last year, she was hesitant to do so. This, she said, was the perfect time to get to work.

Before hitting any shots, Vu goes through an activation warmup. Going through that routine and being conscious of how her body feels, she said, is more valuable right now than seeing the ball-flight she wants or the ideal distance.

It’s still a daily process.

“Just because I’ve been kind of living in that compensation for a while, so it adds up,” she said. “Then one day, I’m tight and my body is angry, and it blows up.

“So it’s peeling the layers of the onion and getting more stable overall to help me swing with no pain.”

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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