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The Blue Bay LPGA returns this week for the primary time since 2018, and far has modified. World No. 1 Lilia Vu, for instance, was nonetheless in school.
Shanshan Feng, China’s trailblazing LPGA participant and 2017 Blue Bay champion, has since retired from golf. Ruoning Yin, the fresh-faced main champion poised to problem Feng’s information, was years away from even turning skilled.
Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, the defending champion, has received twice since 2018 and not too long ago married her longtime sweetheart, Santiago Carranza.
“I’ve all the time wished to play in entrance of a house crowd,” mentioned Yin, a two-time winner on tour and short-term No. 1. “Final week in Singapore, after the final gap, I heard folks within the crowd cheering for me in Chinese language. It was heart-warming to see.”
Gaby Lopez of Mexico celebrates after successful the Blue Bay LPGA on November 10, 2018, in Hainan Island, China. (Photograph by Zhe Ji/Getty Photos)
The inaugural Blue Bay occasion on Hainan Island was held within the fall of 2014. It was halted after 5 stagings due, partly, to the worldwide pandemic. Three previous champions are within the subject this week, together with Minjee Lee, Sei Younger Kim and Lopez.
“I believe that each single time you’re in a spot the place you’ve performed good and you’ve got carried out properly,” mentioned Lopez, “there may be this type of type of calmness that comes with good recollections.”
Lydia Ko is the one 2024 winner within the subject. The Kiwi, in fact, wants just one extra level to qualify for the LPGA Corridor of Fame. A victory on Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course would put her there.
There are 25 China Golf Affiliation members within the subject of 108. In contrast to the earlier two Asian occasions, this one includes a 36-hole minimize to high 65 and ties and a handbag of $2.2 million.
Vu, who withdrew throughout Sunday’s last spherical in Singapore with an sickness, seems like she’s on the mend, although she didn’t supply many particulars throughout a pre-tournament press convention.
“Final week my physique wasn’t feeling nice total bodily,” mentioned Vu, “and it was simply Sunday that I couldn’t deal with. So I took the entire time off yesterday, and hopefully I can regroup and have a great week this week.”
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