With only two events left before the CME Group Tour Championship, LPGA players in Japan are making a strong push to secure their spot to compete for a $7 million purse and $2 million first-place prize at the season-ender.
2022 Toto Japan Classic champion Gemma Dryburgh is among those players. The Scot is currently 60th on the CME points list. The top 60 and ties after The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican advance to Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
JLPGA player Akie Iwai, currently No. 36 in the world, paces the field after Round 1 of the Toto with a 9-under 63. A three-time winner in Japan, Iwai tied the tournament’s 18-hole scoring record last shot by Shanshan Feng on the Minori Course in 2017.
Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, a six-time winner on the LPGA, holds a share of second at 8 under.
Here’s a closer look at how those trying to clinch a spot at the CME got started in Japan:
Celine Borge of Norway hits her tee shot on the 2nd hole during the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic at the Taiheiyo Club’s Minori Course on November 2, 2023 in Omitama, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Yoshimasa Nakano/Getty Images)
Rookie Celine Borge, a 25-year-old who took a share of third at Evian, shot 72 and is T-66. She’s currently 56th on the CME points list.
Albane Valenzuela of switzerland hits her tee shot on the 9th hole during the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic at the Taiheiyo Club’s Minori Course on November 2, 2023 in Omitama, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Yoshimasa Nakano/Getty Images)
Swiss player Albane Valenzuela opened with a 67 in Japan and is tied for 10th. The former Stanford standout has three top-10 finishes this season, including a share of fourth at the Chevron.
Jasmine Suwannapura of Thailand hits her second shot on the 6th hole during the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic at the Taiheiyo Club’s Minori Course on November 2, 2023 in Omitama, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Yoshimasa Nakano/Getty Images)
One week after taking a share of third in Malaysia, Jasmine Suwannapura shot 68 in the first round of the Toto to hold a share of 21st. A two-time winner on the LPGA, Suwannapura sits at 59th on the CME points list, up from 84th last week.
Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland poses with the trophy following her victory on the final day of the LPGA Japan Classic golf tournament in Otsu, Shiga prefecture on November 6, 2022. – – Japan OUT (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)
Gemma Dryburgh broke through with her first LPGA title last year in Japan, and the good vibes are still flowing after an opening 67. Dryburgh tied for sixth last week at the Maybank to move up to the list from 70th to 60th.
Sarah Schmelzel of the United States hits her tee shot on the 2nd hole during the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic at the Taiheiyo Club’s Minori Course on November 2, 2023 in Omitama, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Yoshimasa Nakano/Getty Images)
Sarah Schmelzel has three top-16 finishes in her last four starts. Schmelzel opened with a 72 in Japan and is currently 62nd on the CME points list.
Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea hits her second shot on the 9th hole during the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic at the Taiheiyo Club’s Minori Course on November 2, 2023 in Omitama, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Yoshimasa Nakano/Getty Images)
Six-time LPGA winner Eun-Hee Ji shot 68 on Thursday in Japan to take a share of 21st. Ji dropped to 63rd on the list on the CME list after taking a share of 65th last week in Malaysia. Ji’s best finish this season was a share of fourth at the Mizuho.
Lauren Coughlin of the United States hits her tee shot on the 8th hole during the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic at the Taiheiyo Club’s Minori Course on November 2, 2023 in Omitama, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Yoshimasa Nakano/Getty Images)
Making her fourth consecutive start in Asia, Lauren Coughlin opened with a 68 in Japan. The 31-year-old tied for 10th in South Korea and tied for 21st in Shanghai. Coughlin, who is 65th on the points list, looks to qualify for the CME for the first time in her career.
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