The LPGA Tour is set to resume after a two-week break with the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. The tournament, now in its 17th edition, will be held at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark. This year’s event promises to be an exciting one, with defending champion Atthaya Thitikul and last year’s runner-up Danielle Kang among the participants.
In addition to Thitikul and Kang, the tournament will also feature eight winners from the 2023 LPGA Tour season and 27 rookies. This includes players like Pajaree Anannarukarn, who secured victory at the LPGA Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play presented by MGM Rewards, and Alexa Pano, who emerged victorious at the ISPS Handa World Invitational. These players will be vying for a share of the $2.3 million purse, with the winner taking home a $345,000 check.
The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G also holds significance as players look to accumulate valuable Race to the CME Globe points. With the season winding down, many players are in need of these points to secure their position and qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship.
The field will also feature several past champions, including Lydia Ko, Stacy Lewis, So Yeon Ryu, and Atthaya Thitikul. These players bring experience and expertise to the tournament and will undoubtedly be contenders for the title.
In addition to the competitive field, there are several notable players with connections to the local area. Maria Fassi, a University of Arkansas graduate, resides in the area and will be competing in the tournament. Miriam Ayora Gomez, also a University of Arkansas women’s golf alumna, has received a sponsor invite. Other players with ties to the University of Arkansas include Stacy Lewis, Gaby Lopez, Brooke Matthews, and Lily Thomas.
The tournament will also feature sponsor invites, including Miriam Ayora Gomez, Brittany Lang, Brooke Matthews, and Lily Thomas. These players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills alongside the top professionals in the game.
Furthermore, two players, Gurleen Kaur and Hannah Levi-Armour, have earned their place in the tournament through Monday qualifiers. These players have fought their way into the field and will be determined to make their mark in the upcoming event.
In terms of rankings, the tournament will feature two players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings top 10. Hyo Joo Kim, ranked sixth, and Lydia Ko, ranked 10th, will be looking to perform well and potentially improve their positions in the rankings.
As the LPGA Tour returns to action at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, fans can expect a thrilling and competitive tournament. With a strong field consisting of past champions, 2023 winners, rookies, and players with local connections, the stage is set for an exciting week of golf. As the season approaches its conclusion, the tournament holds significant importance for players looking to secure their position in the Race to the CME Globe and make a final push for success in 2023.