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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The LPGA is hosting its next event the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational this week at Midland Country Club, Michigan. The event has always been played in Michigan and this year is no different. A relevantly new tournament on the tour, Lakes Bay Invitational started in 2019 where 64 teams of two players each compete.

A challenging format has been prepared to test the skills of each pair on the field. Let’s find out more about the tournament.

2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational power rankings

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The theme of the game is unique where two days of alternate shot play on Wednesday and Friday and two days of four-ball on Thursday and Saturday will be played. Last year it was won by the team of Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas. For this year these big five names as per Rolex’s Power rankings will be competing at the event.

Ranked in 5th place is the Australian golfer, Hannah Green who is currently World No. 20. Her win at the JM Eagle LA Championship in April was her third LPGA title. She also gave a good performance at US Women’s Open and finished T13. She will look to add another win to her resume.

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Claiming the 4th rank is the world-famous name of Lexi Thompson who will be paired with Brooke Henderson. Thompson who is currently world no. 16, has a mixed run this season where she made it to the final rounds of some events and missed the cut at others. Her last appearance was at US Women’s Open where she couldn’t make the cut. She will be looking to change this status at Dow International.

via Reuters

Taking the third rank is French golfer Celine Boutier. This year she won the LPGA Drive On Championship in March. And her performances at the Chevron Championship and PGA Championship were also substantial as she finished T14 and T30. The World No.13 will be eying the trophy at Michigan this week.

Brooke Henderson, who is World no.12, is claiming the second spot in the power rankings. She gave a dynamite performance at the US Women’s Open and also finished in 12 position. Her performance at the Mizuho Open Amricas and Women’s PGA Championship has also been commendable. She also won the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. She will definitely be backing herself. 

The Top contender at the DGL Bay Invitational is China’s Ruoning Yin. The 20-year-old earned her first LPGA win at DIO Implant LA Open this year and quickly followed it up with KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Currently sitting on World no. 5 thanks to these impressive wins, Yin will definitely try to add another feather to her cap.

The field at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

The field of this week’s Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational will also see 10 LPGA Tour Rookies out of which Chanettee Wannasaen, Laura Wearn, Xiaowen Yin, and Arpichaya Yubol are the top picks. 

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via Imago

Moreover, there has also been a small rise in the tournament prize money in comparison to the last year. It’s $2.7 million this year. The first prize will be divided among the leading team that wins the event.

Defending champions at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

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Last year’s winners, Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas won’t be featuring in this edition. Salas won’t be playing on account of a back issue, while Kupcho failed to find a new partner in time. However, the winners of the inaugural tournament, Cydney Clanton & Jasmine Suwannapura are part of the field. The pair won in 2019. Their 11-under 59 brought them a six-shot victory over Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee. 

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