The richest LPGA tournament of 2024 is heading to China this week, with players competing for a massive $2.5 million prize pool at the Blue Bay LPGA.
That’s $300,000 more than last year’s purse, and even tops last week’s HSBC Women’s World Championship where Lydia Ko grabbed her 23rd LPGA win.
The winner at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course will take home $375,000 – not bad for four days’ work.
Last year’s champion Bailey Tardy is back to defend her title. It was her first LPGA win, earning her $330,000 after beating Sarah Schmelzel by four shots. Both players return this week looking for another big payday.
World No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul headlines a strong field of 108 players. The Thai star already has a win this year at the Saudi Ladies International.
Some other big names to watch:
– Home favorite Ruoning Yin
– Major champion Ayaka Furue
– Six-time LPGA winner Celine Boutier
– Two-time major winner Minjee Lee, who won here in 2016
The tournament’s also important for the season-long race – there’s 500 CME Globe points up for grabs for the winner.
Prize Money Breakdown
Here’s what the top finishers will earn:
– Winner: $375,000
– Second: $235,814
– Third: $171,066
– Fourth: $132,333
– Fifth: $106,513
[Full prize money table follows…]
The tournament returns to Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course, which opened in 2012 and hosted this event from 2014-2018 before a six-year break. With perfect weather expected and the season’s biggest purse so far, we’re in for an exciting week of golf in China.
