The 2021 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give will draw the world’s best golfers to Grand Rapids, Michigan, with early commitments from top LPGA players, including defending champion Brooke Henderson. Former champions Lexi Thompson, Sei Young Kim and Mirim Lee will join Henderson in the field, alongside the other big names on tour.
The field was finalized May 24 for the 2021 Meijer LPGA Classic, which will be held June 17-20 at Blythefield Country Club.
“We’re excited to see so many familiar faces return to West Michigan for the tournament after a year apart,” said Cathy Cooper, executive director of the Meijer LPGA Classic. “For most of the players, this will be their first time playing in Michigan since 2019, and we look forward to reminding them why they keep coming back – the spectators, the course and the cause.”
Field highlights include:
- Nine of the Top 10 ranked players in the world, including Inbee Park and Nelly Korda;
- Rolex World No. 1 player Jin Young Ko;
- Winners of 26 of the last 30 majors, including Brittany Lincicome, Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang;
- Up-and-coming stars like Maria Fassi, Muni He, Leona Maguire and Jennifer Kupcho;
- Fan favorites Christina Kim and Stacy Lewis; and
- Hall of famers Cristie Kerr and Laura Davies.
The 2021 Meijer LPGA Classic will host a full field of 144 of the best women golfers for 72 holes of stroke play over four days of competition. They will be competing on Blythefield Country Club’s new course, which was recently renovated to include a new practice facility, increased distance off the tee and restructured bunker and fairways. The greens have returned to the original sizes and contours from 1928, when the course first opened.
Proceeds from the tournament once again will benefit the Meijer Simply Give program that restocks the shelves of food pantries across the Midwest. The 2019 tournament alone raised $1.1 million for local food pantries through Simply Give and, despite its cancellation in 2020, Meijer donated an additional $1.1 million to the program.
In total, the Meijer LPGA Classic has generated more than $6.3 million for the Meijer Simply Give program.
Meijer LPGA Classic tickets on sale May 25
Tickets to the tournament go on sale May 25 for $10 each. Weekly grounds passes will not be available this year.
As a result of the recently updated state mandate on outdoor event capacity, tournament officials also announced they’re lifting capacity restrictions for the 2021 tournament.
“At its core, our tournament has always been about rallying the community around a single purpose of fighting hunger through the Meijer Simply Give program,” said Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes. “We’re hoping the community will continue to rally behind us to reach at least $1 million for Simply Give this year. That money will go a long way in helping feed our neighbors in need – something that is more important than ever given the challenges of 2020.”
In acknowledgement of the pandemic’s impact on food pantries across the Midwest, Keyes announced at the Meijer LPGA Classic Media Day event a donation of $30,000 to the retailer’s local food pantry partners in West Michigan.
Tournament officials also announced that spectators will have access to limited seated concessions areas with fare from local restaurants and breweries, including San Chez Bistro, Noco Provisions, Cannonsburg Village, Bell’s Brewery and New Holland Brewing. The recently updated state mandate did not provide enough time to include the three-day Grand Taste food event at this year’s tournament; it will return in future tournaments.
For more information on the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, visit meijerLPGAclassic.com.
