LPGA headliners announced for 45th annual ANA Inspiration
Defending champion Brittany Lincicome will headline a field of the LPGA’s biggest stars at the 45th annual ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage next week.
The LPGA’s most iconic major championship will feature 110 of the world’s best golfers, including the top 15 players on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, officials announced Wednesday.
In the 2015 tournament, Lincicome made eagle on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Stacy Lewis before winning with a par on the third hole of sudden death. It was the second major championship win and second ANA Inspiration win for the Florida native, who made her first leap into Poppie’s Pond in 2009.
“The course sets up perfectly for me and I can’t wait to get back and relive some many special memories,” said Lincicome. “Even if I had never won the ANA Inspiration, this tournament would be special to me. I can say it’s my favorite championship we play. For me, it’s the spiritual home for the LPGA and has so much history and now I’m part of the history.”
Lincicome and Lewis (2011) are two of nine past champions of the event returning to Rancho Mirage with their eyes on the Dinah Shore trophy and traditional Imabari champion’s robe. Other past winners in the field at Mission Hills include World No. 3 Lexi Thompson (2014), World No. 2 Inbee Park (2013), Sun-Young Yoo (2012), Yani Tseng (2010), Morgan Pressel (2007), Karrie Webb (2000, 2006), 2015 and 2017 U.S. Women’s Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster (1984, 1989) and Amy Alcott (1983, 1988, 1991), the first to leap into Poppie’s Pond, tournament officials said in the release.
World No. 1 and 2015 Rolex Player of the Year Lydia Ko will make her fourth appearance at the ANA Inspiration with her sights set on winning a second-consecutive major championship. Last September, Ko became the youngest major winner in LPGA Tour history at the Evian Championship, where she carded a final-round 63.
Organizers said six amateurs have accepted invitations to play in the ANA Inspiration, including 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship winner Hannah O’Sullivan, Sierra Brooks, Karen Chung, Bronte Law, Leona Maguire and Albane Valenzuela.
