Jutanugarn's win helped draw a large contingent of Asian fans to the event over the weekendgetty images
The LPGA returned to L.A. this weekend for the first time in over a decade with the inaugural HUGEL-JTBC L.A. Open at Wilshire Country Club, and the tournament "packed in the crowds" for the final round, according to Beth Ann Nichols of GOLFWEEK. Thai player Moriya Jutanugarn won her first LPGA tournament, and with Koreatown "only a few blocks away from the city club, Asian fans came out in droves to watch" (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/22). In California, Jim Alexander writes it "turned out to be a good week for the LPGA’s return to L.A., with a healthy gallery following the leaders" yesterday. Considering this tournament "was basically put together in three months, there’s reason for optimism" (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 4/23). In L.A., Mike James writes the LPGA, which has "had only an intermittent record" in the L.A. area, is "looking to establish a foothold at Wilshire and become a fixture in the L.A. sports landscape." The LPGA, sponsors and Wilshire have a three-year commitment that LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan "hopes is much longer." Thursday and Friday crowds "were sparse, but the weekend crowds surrounded tees and greens throughout the course." Whan said the inaugural has "been a home run" (L.A. TIMES, 4/23). GOLFWEEK's Nichols wrote the LPGA’s return to the L.A. market, on an "old-school gem of a track like Wilshire, is a victory" for Whan. The "crowds, the weather, the enthusiasm from the players about being here and playing this course, point toward potential long-term success, assuming the sponsor feels likewise" (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/21).
MOVERS & SHAKERS: Nichols wrote there is "certainly no consensus" among players on whether the LPGA should move the ANA Inspiration, its first major of the year, to "avoid a conflict" with the Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship happening the same weekend. Golfer Cristie Kerr said, “They’re an amateur tournament, we’re a professional major. I don’t think we should have to move our professional major because there’s a one-round event at Augusta National for amateurs.” But golfer Emma Talley "believes that LPGA Founders would want amateurs to have the opportunity to compete in both." Golfer Morgan Pressel said, “There are some things that definitely need to be worked out. I hope they will be because if not, neither party really wins, but it could be such a wonderful thing for all of women’s golf and they don’t have to fight each other, in a sense” (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/22).
