The 10th edition of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give begins Thursday at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Mich. There, 144 of the top players in women’s golf will win a $3 million purse. But that’s not the only prize on the line as the players spend the final weeks of qualifying for the upcoming Olympics. Here’s a closer look at five things to know about this week’s LPGA Tour stop.
Leona Maguire defends herself
There are simply courts where certain players tend to play better than others, for whatever reason. For Leona Maguire, she found a home away from home at Blythefield Country Club, where she participates year after year in the Meijer LPGA Classic. When Maguire played the course for the first time in 2021, she finished second. The following year, he lost in a three-man playoff to again settle for a share of second. But the third time was the charm for the Irishwoman, who in 2023 left nothing to chance with a final-round 64 to win by two moves ahead of Ariya Jutanugarn, who carded the weekend rounds of 66. Maguire has had a slow start to her season thus far, recording just one top 10 with her second-place finish at the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards, where she lost in the championship match to Nelly Korda.
The field
Year after year, the best in the women’s game have made the trip to Blythefield Country Club and will be making the trip once again this season. World No.1 Nelly Korda is leading the field as she prepares to make her first start after a stunning loss at the US Women’s Open. Korda will have good vibes to lean on as she returns to Michigan, as she was not only the winner there in 2021, but also finished in a tie for second in 2022. Joining her in the field is Minjee Lee, who shared the lead in 54 holes at the US Women’s Open, but fell short on the final day and tied for ninth. Celine Boutier, the No. 3 ranked player in the world, will make her first start at Michigan since 2022. Boutier has yet to crack the top 30 in previous appearances at Blythefield. Atthaya Thitikul, who topped the leaderboard at the US Women’s Open, is also in the field in Michigan. Thitikul has four top-12 finishes in five starts so far this year after missing the start of the season with a left thumb injury.
Lilia Vu returns
For the first time since March, Lilia Vu will make it on the LPGA Tour. Vu has been out of action for the past few months dealing with an ongoing back injury that has plagued her throughout her career. Vu was on site, prepared to defend her title at the Chevron Championship in April, when she withdrew before the start of the first round as her back flared up while warming up before the opening round. Vu released a statement after the withdrawal, saying she would seek treatment and a doctor’s recommendations on her next course of action. The former world No. 1 has had a slow start to the season with just one top-10 finish at the Honda LPGA Thailand and two other WDs. Vu last competed in the 2022 Meijer LPGA Classic, when she was tied for 12th on the week.
10th anniversary
A decade of events held at Blythefield Country Club has produced an impressive list of champions who have lifted the trophy in Michigan. Returning to the field again this year is 2015 winner Lexi Thompson, who announced during the US Women’s Open that she will retire from competitive golf at the end of the season, is likely to make her final appearance this week in Michigan. Also in the field this week is 2016 champion Se Young Kim, along with two-time winner Brooke Henderson who won in 2017 and again in 2019. With Henderson’s second win in Michigan she earned her ninth LPGA career victory Tour and became the best golfer, male or female, from Canada. Also back this season is Jennifer Kupcho, who defeated Maguire and Korda in a playoff to win in 2022.
Olympic Games
The Meijer LPGA Classic is one of two remaining events for players to gain ground in the Rolex rankings and secure a spot at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Which players will represent their respective countries is determined by world ranking, with just 60 players earning a spot on the field. The top two ranked players from each country will be eligible, with countries that have up to four players in the world’s top 15 being able to send all four. The groups will be finalized on June 24, following the conclusion of next week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.