After jumping from Thailand to Singapore, the LPGA Tour makes one last leap across eastern lands to the People’s Republic of China, where some of the world’s best will compete in the Blue Bay LPGA, the third and final stop of the Asian spring tour.
After two tournaments with 66 players, this week the field expands a bit and 108 players will compete over four days for a purse of 2.5 million dollars in a tournament that, however, also has no cut. It takes place on the island of Hainan.
The Blue Bay LPGA returned last season after a four-year hiatus and Bailey Tardy claimed victory with Sarah Schmelzel in second place. The tournament’s roll of honour includes illustrious winners such as Minjee Lee, Shanshan Feng, and Gaby López among others. The Australian and the Mexican will be in the field from this Thursday seeking their second title in Hainan.
Although the field is not comparable to last week’s at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, it features the presence of the world number two and the player of the moment, Jeeno Thitikul. The Thai player has started the year with a victory in the Ladies European Tour and two top ten finishes in the Asian tour events. She is undoubtedly the favourite. Ruoning Yin, a local player and Major champion, Ayaka Furue, Celine Boutier, Miyu Yamashita, and Rio Takeda are the main threats to the 22-year-old player.
In terms of the Spanish contingent, three players join for this final battle. Azahara Muñoz, Fátima Fernández Cano, and Julia López Ramírez will be in the field. On the other hand, Carlota Ciganda has decided to rest after participating in the previous two events.
For the three Spaniards, it is their second event of the season on the LPGA. None managed to make the cut at the Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands. Although in Hainan they will be able to play all four days, the three will seek to redeem themselves to finish as high as possible. For both Julia and Fátima, it is their debut in the tournament, while for Azahara it is her second participation. Last year she finished in 52nd place. From 2014 to 2018 she chose not to play this event.
The veteran player acknowledges that she arrives in good form and above all with a strong desire to perform well. It is surprising the vitality and energy of a player who is facing her fifteenth season on the tour. It sounds quick. Julia, in her rookie season and in her second tournament as a professional on the LPGA, seeks to continue adding experiences to her backpack. Fátima, on her side
There is a fear in Hainan, and it looms from the sky. The players have been able to train comfortably and in good conditions in the previous days, but it is expected that from this Thursday the circumstances will change and what has been practised will have little relevance. Rain, wind, and a drop in temperatures seem to be the general trend for Thursday and Friday. From the 32ºC highs that have appeared on the thermometers, it is expected that tomorrow it will barely reach 20 with the appearance of rain and gusts. It has been days of peace and calm, but it is expected that all this could change from the first minute of the tournament.
After the conclusion of the Blue Bay LPGA, the LPGA Tour will take a two-week break before returning to action. The Tour will return to the United States to compete in the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, scheduled to start on March 27 in Chandler, Arizona.
