The LPGA makes the trek from Hawaii to the Los Angeles for the second edition of the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open at historic Wilshire Country Club.
Following a 13-year absence, the ladies tour made a successful return to Hollywood in 2018 as Moriya Jutanugarn claimed her maiden LPGA title at the inaugural edition.
The LA Open is the 10th event of the 2019 season, and first of two-consecutive weeks in California, with the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship in San Francisco up next.
The field this week is loaded with the LPGA’s biggest names and stars, including 18 of the top 20 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
As we do each week, here’s a round up of information about what to expect this week in Hollywood.
THE SKINNY
Tournament: Hugel-Air Premia LA Open
Dates:Â April 25-28, 2019
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Course:Â Wilshire Country Club
Distance: Par 71, 6,450 yards
Architect: Norman Macbeth (1919), Kyle Phillips (2010)
Format: 72-holes, stroke play, 36-hole cut
Purse: $1,500,000
Winning Share: $225,000
Defending Champion:Â Moriya Jutanugarn
TV AND ONLINE
Rd 1: Thu 6:30-9:30 pm (GOLF)
Rd 2: Fri 6:30-9:30 pm (GOLF)
Rd 3: Sat 6:00-9:00 pm (GOLF)
Rd 4: Sun 6:00-9:00 pm (GOLF)
Web | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
HISTORY
The Hugel-Air Premia L.A. Open is just a year old, making its debut last season as one of two new California events on the schedule.
The tournament does, however, have bloodlines to the former Office Depot Championship, which appeared on the schedule from 1997 to 2005, and whose winners include a who’s who of yesterday’s stars, including Grace Park, Se Ri Pak, Annika Sorenstam, and Karrie Webb. It was contested at various Los Angeles area golf courses for its final six years under several title sponsors.
Title sponsors for the latest edition of the L.A. Open are Hugel, Inc, a Korean manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals and beauty products, including botox, while Air Premia is a new commercial airline that flies primarily in Europea and Asia.
THE FIELD
The field in Hollywood is stacked with big names, including 18 of the world’s top-20 ranked players, headlined by Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in Jin Yong Ko, Sung Hyun Park, and Ariya Jutanugarn, respectively.
In addition, seven of the season’s eight winners will also be teeing it up at Wilshire, including world No. 7 Brooke Henderson, who successfully defended her LOTTE Championship title last week.
As she did last year, the always-popular Natalie Gulbis received a sponsor’s spot.
TOP-15 BETTING FAVORITES
1. Jin Young Ko – 5-1
2. Brooke Henderson – 12-1
3. Ariya Jutanugarn – 14-1
3. Lexi Thompson – 14-1
5. Sung Hyun Park – 16-1
5. Minjee Lee – 16-1
5. Jessica Korda – 16-1
5. Carlota Ciganda – 16-1
5. Nelly Korda – 16-1
11. Danielle Kang – 20-1
11. Inbee Park – 20-1
11. Shanshan Feng – 20-1
14. So Yeon Ryu – 25-1
14. Moriya Jutanugarn – 25-1
Notable First-Round Pairings
• Moriya Jutanugarn, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda
• Nelly Korda, So Yeon Ryu, Danielle Kang
• Jin Young Ko, Brooke Henderson, Ariya Jutanugarn
Credits: LPGA Tour Media, Getty Images
