2023 PNC Championship: Top 5 LPGA Favorites Who Are Missing Out From the Family Affair

The ongoing PNC Championship is a complete family affair! With wives and daughters caddying for their competing family members! The 40-player field is immensely star-studded with some debutants, and some experienced tournament players! Amongst the 20 teams, the ratio of LPGA players to PGA players is quite low!

Other than Nelly Korda, and Annika Sorentam, the LPGA participation is negligible. Some LPGA pros could have made a sensational addition to the field but have missed out.

Top LPGA stars to not participate in the PNC Championship

Here are the top five LPGA stars who are not teeing it up at Ritz Carlton GC this weekend!

1. Lilia Vu

The 2023 was a remarkable year for Lilia Vu. She rose to number one in the Women’s World Golf Rankings and became LPGA Tour Player of the Year after winning four titles that included the Chevron Championship and the Women’s British Open. Vu shares a strong connection with her father, Douglas Vu, who has been a golf instructor since her childhood. The LPGA star and her father could have been a perfect fit for the PNC Championship, as they share a passion for golf and a close bond, but they are not in this year’s field.

2. Minjee Lee

Minjee Lee is one of the most consistent and successful players on the LPGA Tour, having won ten titles. The 27-year-old Australian has a strong family background in golf, as her brother, Minwoo Lee, is also a professional golfer. The siblings have a friendly bond and a mutual admiration for each other, as they often practice together. Minjee Lee even caddied for her brother at the 2022 Masters Par-3 Contest. 

Lee and her brother would have been a formidable team for the PNC Championship, as they have a similar style of play and great chemistry. However, Lee is not eligible to play with her brother, as the event rules stipulate that the professional golfer must be paired with a family member who is not a professional golfer. Lee could have chosen another family member, such as her parents or her boyfriend.

3. Jin Young Ko

Jin Young Ko is one of the most dominant and decorated players on the LPGA Tour with 15 titles to her name. The 28-year-old’s loving family has been by her side throughout her journey. Ko and any of her family members could have been strong contenders for the PNC Championship, as they have a deep understanding of golf and a strong bond. 

4. Lydia Ko

Another promising name that is missing from the championship is Lydia Ko. Recently, the 26-yеar-old and Jason Day won the Grant Thornton Invitational, recording a 6-under 66 in the modified four-ball format to win by one shot over Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners in the first mixed-team event on the LPGA and PGA Tours.

Ko and any of her family members would have been a delightful addition to the PNC Championship. She can pair up with any of his family members or her husband, Chung Jun, who has caddied her before.  

5. Brooke Henderson

Henderson has a strong family influence in golf, as her father, Dave Henderson, is a golf instructor and a school teacher who taught her how to play golf and coached her throughout her career.  Apart from that, her sister Brittany Henderson, is a former professional golfer who has caddied her on several occasions. The Henderson sisters have a close and collaborative relationship. Henderson and either of her family members would have been a perfect match for the PNC Championship, as they have a wealth of experience and knowledge in golf and a great rapport.   

Also Read: ‘Margot Robbie?’: LPGA Star Stuns Jessica Korda and Golf Fans With Her ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ Pics

The PNC Championship is a great opportunity for golf fans to witness some of the best players in the world bonding with their loved ones on the course. While fans miss the opportunity to see these golfing talents in action at the PNC Championship,  the event continues to captivate audiences with the heartwarming connections shared by the participating teams. The event remains a unique celebration of family, sportsmanship,  and the enduring love for the game that transcends generations. 

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