By: Max Bechtoldt
The LPGA Drive On Championship returns this week but in a new location, Bradenton Country Club in Bradenton, Fla. Last season, Celine Boutier kicked off her three-win season with a playoff victory over Georgia Hall in Ariz.
This is the first full-field event of the season, and is now a part of the early Fla. swing before the LPGA goes across the globe to Asia. While stars Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu and Brooke Henderson return after competing last week, many stars are making their season debut.
Lexi Thompson will start her bounce back effort this week, as will Ariya Jutanugarn. Georgia Hall had near-misses in the early half of the 2023 season, but will try to get her season started off right here. Xiyu Lin had a season filled with strong results in 2023, and returns this week.
Some veterans are back as well. Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis is making her first start of 2024. Angela Stanford and Paula Creamer are in the field as also. Notably, five-time major champion Yani Tseng is making her first appearance in three years.
Five of the top ten in the Rolex Rankings are in the field, Vu, Ruoning Yin, Korda, Boutier and Ko.
