KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Gets Off to a Scorching Start
The last time we saw a world-class field challenge PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch East, the place hadn’t even opened to the public and Padraig Harrington opened the Senior PGA Championship with a blistering 64. That was May 2023. Thursday’s opening round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship was a different kind of scorcher.
The temperature peaked at “only” 94, but tell that to the 156-player field, just 15 of whom broke par – though safe to say everyone broke a sweat while in some cases playing six-hour rounds. The field boasts all of the LPGA’s top 100 money earners, and players from 26 different countries, but so far the leaderboard is topped by North Texas residents: Carrollton’s Jeeno Thitikul at 4 under (68) and Irving’s Minjee Lee at 3 under.
The Course and the Conditions
The 2023 Senior PGA was played in milder temperatures, less wind and softer conditions. In that event’s first round 52 players broke par and Steve Stricker won the tournament at 18 under, beating Harrington in a playoff. In the 756 days that have elapsed since that tournament’s first round, the Fields East Course also has grown teeth – as in rough.
Many players said that balls hit a few feet wide of fairways on Thursday often had only the top third of the ball visible. Sometimes less. Course designer Gil Hanse notes that most courses take seven or eight years to fully mature. During the ‘23 Seniors, he said, dirt was still visible through some of the native grass.
“Now all of that is gone and we’re starting to see the growth underneath take shape,” he said. “I would think by ’27 we’ll be in a better place; probably ’29 really see this place in full bloom.”
The Heat Factor
The temperature in Dallas that day reached 110 degrees. Fortunately the 2027 PGA Championship will be played in May. And thankfully this weekend’s forecast high is a typical-June 95, but on this virtually treeless course, heat nonetheless will be a factor. “It definitely takes a toll on you, the Texas heat,” said world No. 1-ranked Nelly Korda, who shaded herself with an umbrella during much of her two-birdie, two-bogey round of par 72.
Said Lee: “I just kept telling my caddie, can you give me another water, can you give me another water. So, I don’t know. I don’t think we could have enough out there.” Lee and Korda were among the morning wave of players who had the fortune of playing in temperatures that averaged about eight degrees cooler than that of the afternoon wave.
The Players
Korda, world No. 2 Thitikul and No. 3 Lydia Ko will again be the marquee group. On Thursday, Thitikul struggled early off the tee and fell to 2-over par with a double bogey on No. 5. But starting on No. 7, Thitikul birdied five of the next six holes to vault up the leaderboard, once again showing bounce-back ability and maturity beyond her age of 22.
She already has five tour victories and has had finishes of seventh or better in each of the five majors, though she’s yet to win one. “In all the majors I have I told myself to just really be patient,” she said. “I definitely know that I’m going to miss a shot and have a bogey for sure.
“But be patient. Don’t be moody after that because like all the courses all the majors that we have can really mix up our mind after missing putts or missing par.” It certainly helps to have a hot putter on a hot day – or any day. Thitikul made birdie putts of 18, 60, 10, 24, 14 and 35 feet. In all she made 198 feet worth of putts, easily leading the field.
Home Tournament Advantage
A sound night’s sleep in her own bed certainly didn’t hurt. She moved to Carrollton’s Castle Hills area in 2023 and is enjoying the benefits of a home tournament this week. “It’s really nice,” she said. “Every time I go to Airbnb’s [for other tournaments] it’s so bright early morning . . . like 5 in the morning it’s so bright.
“But I have my extra shades and my own bed here, which make me sleep until like 7 a.m. Which is good.” Thitikul was born and raised in Thailand, but now calls Carrollton her second home. Even though she lives about 30 minutes from PGA Frisco, she knew little about the East Course until arriving early this week.
She’s learning fast, as evidenced by her first round, including the challenge of how to chip to holes that have severe false fronts. “I think Texas wedge should be a good key for this week,” she said, sounding like a true Lone Star transplant.
Conclusion
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is off to a scorching start, with the heat and the course conditions proving to be a challenge for the players. However, Jeeno Thitikul and Minjee Lee are showing that they are up to the task, with Thitikul currently in the lead. As the tournament continues, it will be interesting to see how the players adapt to the conditions and who will come out on top.
FAQs
Q: Who is currently leading the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship?
A: Jeeno Thitikul is currently leading the tournament at 4 under (68).
Q: What are the conditions like at the Fields Ranch East course?
A: The course is known for its challenging rough and false fronts, and the heat is also proving to be a factor, with temperatures reaching up to 94 degrees.
Q: Who are some of the top players in the tournament?
A: Some of the top players in the tournament include Jeeno Thitikul, Minjee Lee, Nelly Korda, and Lydia Ko.
