Sweden’s Lynn Grant will be joined by South Korea’s Eunhee Ji, 37, in her return to the U.S. Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Grant will compete in the LPGA 메이저사이트 Tour’s Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play ($1.5 million purse) at Shadow Creek (par-72) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, beginning today (July 25).
In Group 8, Grant is paired with Eunhee Ji, Matilda Kastren (FIN) and Maddie Serik (CAN). She will face Seric on Friday and Kastren in the second round of the group stage on Saturday. Her final group opponent is Ji-hee Lee.
The South Korean won four titles on the Ladies European Tour (LET) last year and climbed to No. 24 in the world rankings, earning not only Rookie of the Year but also Player of the Year honors. Grant, who turned pro in August 2021, had a remarkable rookie season.
She finished the LPGA Tour’s Q-Series tied for 35th and was seeded, but didn’t play. She hadn’t gotten a COVID-19 vaccine. The United States has a policy of not allowing anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country. Grant was also unable to compete in the national event, the Hanwha LifePlus International Crown.
For the second year in a row, he has only competed in events outside of the United States. This year, she played only the Honda LPGA Thailand in Thailand and the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore. While other players took to the LPGA Tour during the LET break, Grant was unable to travel to the U.S., so she competed on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour.
Now that the restrictions on entry for those without a COVID-19 vaccine have been lifted, Grant is able to compete in events in the United States. It will be her first competitive match play in the United States.
“Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t jump on the LPGA Tour earlier,” Grant said. I wouldn’t have gained the experience and confidence I did on the LET. Last year was a great year to learn about golf in the professional world, so I feel like I’m more prepared for the LPGA Tour than I was a year ago.”
Currently ranked 22nd in the world, Grant could be Ji-hee’s biggest rival in Group 8. It will be interesting to see how the defending champion will fare against the LPGA Tour rookie.