When the LPGA returns to the U.S. next month, several of the game’s stars will be back inside the ropes at the newly renamed Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship in suburban Los Angeles.
Last year the Palos Verdes event, won by China’s Ruoning Yin, was called the DIO Implant LA Open. Pak, who went by Se Ri during her trailblazing LPGA career, is now going by Seri. She joins Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie West as LPGA tournament hosts in 2024.
Officials have confirmed that world No. 1 Lilia Vu will headline the March 21-24 event along with Nelly Korda, who returns after a seven-week break following her victory at home in Bradenton, Florida, at the LPGA Drive On Championship.
Rose Zhang, one of the stars of Capital One’s The Match on Monday night, will resume her LPGA schedule in L.A. after taking off most of the year to take classes at Stanford.
So far, 18 of the top 25 players in the world are slated to compete for the $2 million purse. The LPGA is currently in the middle of a three-week Asian swing.
Jiyai Shin, a former LPGA player who has 64 wins worldwide, including two majors, has been extended a sponsor exemption. Shin now competes on the Japan LPGA and is No. 16 in the Rolex Rankings.
Shin will be joined by University of South Carolina junior Hannah Darling, who earned the first sponsor exemption via her fine play at the Therese Hession Regional Challenge at Palos Verdes earlier this year.
Take a look at several of the big names and California natives scheduled to compete at the Seri: