Latest news with #SimplyGive
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Carlota Ciganda ends long LPGA title drought with win at Meijer LPGA Classic
SPANISH stalwart Carlota Ciganda returned to the LPGA winner's circle after a lapse of more than 8½ years with a gritty victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in Belmont, Michigan. Having started the final round in a six-way tie for the lead, Ciganda birdied the final two holes at Blythefield Country Club for a closing 67 and 16-under-par 272 total. The 35-year-old finished one shot clear of Korean Hye-Jin Choi, who closed with a 68. This was Ciganda's third LPGA title and her first since November 2016, when she won the Citi Banamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico by two strokes. Her LPGA title drought had lasted eight years, seven months and two days. 'It feels amazing obviously, after all these years. I knew I could do it, but once the years keep going and you start getting older, you start doubting yourself,' said Ciganda, who has won eight times on the Ladies European Tour including last year's Spanish Open. Ciganda's two closing birdies came from close range, from one foot after a superb approach at the par-four 17th, and from four feet at the par-five 18th after finding the green in two. The final hole birdie avoided a playoff with playing partner Choi, who also made four but had crucially dropped a shot at the 17th. Ciganda noted that she loved the traditional, tree-lined Blythefield layout, as it reminded her of courses in her native Spain. 'It reminds me of where I'm from in the northern part of Spain. Very similar – lots of trees, peaceful. I love the golf course,' said the Arizona State alumna. Ciganda has now matched Beatriz Recari for the most LPGA victories by a Spanish player and is the oldest player to win this season at age 35 years and 14 days. 'For me, age is just a number. I don't feel as fresh as when I was 24, but I still feel I can compete and I can win out here. I love playing. I love Thursday to Sundays. I love competition,' said Ciganda, who is a seven-time European Solheim Cup team member and a three-time Olympian. American star Lexi Thompson showed that she is still a force to be reckoned with despite only playing a part-time schedule, contending for the title until two late bogeys on 16 and 17. The 11-time LPGA winner settled for joint fourth place on 13-under-par 275 with France's Celine Boutier and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen. 'It's my favourite event on the schedule. The fans are amazing and come out and support women's golf, and that's what we want,' said Thompson, who won this event in 2015 and lost a playoff to compatriot Lilia Vu last year. Another Korean, Somi Lee, shot a superb closing 65 to climb up into third place on 14-under-par 274. The stars of the LPGA Tour will now head to Texas for the third Major of the 2025 season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Carlota Ciganda ends long LPGA title drought
SPANISH stalwart Carlota Ciganda returned to the LPGA winner's circle after a lapse of more than 8½ years with a gritty victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in Belmont, Michigan. Having started the final round in a six-way tie for the lead, Ciganda birdied the final two holes at Blythefield Country Club for a closing 67 and 16-under-par 272 total. The 35-year-old finished one shot clear of Korean Hye-Jin Choi, who closed with a 68. This was Ciganda's third LPGA title and her first since November 2016, when she won the Citi Banamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico by two strokes. Her LPGA title drought had lasted eight years, seven months and two days. 'It feels amazing obviously, after all these years. I knew I could do it, but once the years keep going and you start getting older, you start doubting yourself,' said Ciganda, who has won eight times on the Ladies European Tour including last year's Spanish Open. Ciganda's two closing birdies came from close range, from one foot after a superb approach at the par-four 17th, and from four feet at the par-five 18th after finding the green in two. The final hole birdie avoided a playoff with playing partner Choi, who also made four but had crucially dropped a shot at the 17th. Ciganda noted that she loved the traditional, tree-lined Blythefield layout, as it reminded her of courses in her native Spain. 'It reminds me of where I'm from in the northern part of Spain. Very similar – lots of trees, peaceful. I love the golf course,' said the Arizona State alumna. Ciganda has now matched Beatriz Recari for the most LPGA victories by a Spanish player and is the oldest player to win this season at age 35 years and 14 days. 'For me, age is just a number. I don't feel as fresh as when I was 24, but I still feel I can compete and I can win out here. I love playing. I love Thursday to Sundays. I love competition,' said Ciganda, who is a seven-time European Solheim Cup team member and a three-time Olympian. American star Lexi Thompson showed that she is still a force to be reckoned with despite only playing a part-time schedule, contending for the title until two late bogeys on 16 and 17. The 11-time LPGA winner settled for joint fourth place on 13-under-par 275 with France's Celine Boutier and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen. 'It's my favourite event on the schedule. The fans are amazing and come out and support women's golf, and that's what we want,' said Thompson, who won this event in 2015 and lost a playoff to compatriot Lilia Vu last year. Another Korean, Somi Lee, shot a superb closing 65 to climb up into third place on 14-under-par 274. The stars of the LPGA Tour will now head to Texas for the third Major of the 2025 season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.
Malaysian Reserve
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Malaysian Reserve
2025 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Exceeds Goal, Raising $1.5 Million to Fight Hunger and Feed Communities in Need
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 11th Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give concluded today, crowning Carlota Ciganda as its 2025 champion. The event, held at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Mich., featured an exciting four days of top-tier golf and extraordinary community impact. Tournament officials proudly announced the event exceeded its goal for the Meijer Simply Give hunger relief program, raising $1.5 million to help stock the shelves of hundreds of food pantries across the Midwest. Including this year's event, the Meijer LPGA Classic has now generated more than 100 million meals for hungry families. 'The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give continues to grow in popularity and impact,' said Rick Keyes, President and CEO of Meijer. 'We are incredibly grateful for how the community embraced our event again this year, helping set attendance and volunteer records. More importantly, we are proud of the significant impact this tournament has on communities throughout the Midwest. This would not be possible without the staff, volunteers, sponsors, players, and spectators who made this a week to remember.' Ciganda birdied the final two holes to win the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour victory in more than eight years. This was her third career LPGA Tour victory and first since the 2016 Citi Banamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational. The victory ties her with Beatriz Recari as the winningest Spanish player in LPGA Tour history with three titles. Additionally, she became just the second European to claim the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give crown, following Leona Maguire's 2023 triumph. 'It feels amazing, obviously, after all these years,' Ciganda said. 'I love coming here. It reminds me of Spain where I'm from. Very similar. Lots of trees, peaceful. I love the golf course. Five par 5s, you can hit it hard here.' This year's tournament featured a stellar field of competitors, including past champions, top-ranked LPGA players, and emerging talent, all vying for the title. With more than 1,400 volunteers, the four-day event also offered a variety of family-friendly activities, food experiences, and opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite players, making it a memorable week for the most attended Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give yet. 'The 2025 tournament was truly unforgettable, and we're proud to offer an experience that brings the community together in such a meaningful way,' said Cathy Cooper, Executive Director of the Meijer LPGA Classic. 'We're so grateful to have the opportunity to bring the LPGA Tour to West Michigan.' Dates for the 2026 Meijer LPGA Classic will be released in the coming weeks. In addition to the $1.5 million raised by this year's event, Meijer will donate $25,000 to a hunger relief organization of Ciganda's choice as part of a tradition the retailer started in 2021. Last year's Champion, Lilia Vu, chose to support The Other Way Ministries in Grand Rapids, Mich. Details on Ciganda's donation will be shared in the coming weeks. About the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give:The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give is an official LPGA Tour event featuring 144 of the top female players in the world for a four-day, 72-hole stroke play competition at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Mich. In partnership with Meijer, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 500 supercenters, Meijer Grocery, neighborhood markets and Express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin, this premier golf tournament combines world-class competition with community giving through the retailer's Simply Give hunger relief program, which supports local food pantries across the Midwest. As one of the top LPGA tournaments for families and food enthusiasts, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give represents both elite competition and its ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the community. For more information, visit and follow the tournament on Instagram and X at @MeijerLPGA.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lexi Thompson just one off the lead at Meijer LPGA Classic after stellar finish
BELMONT - As Lexi Thompson's approach on 18 landed and found the green, Thompson did something she hadn't for most of her round - she smiled. It was a moment of triumph and relief for Thompson, who birdied 18 and had three birdies in her final four holes to pull within one shot of the lead heading into the weekend at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club. Advertisement Thompson, who birdied the first hole on Friday, June 13, had one bogey and 12 pars in the next 13 holes before finishing strong. She had a 3-under Friday and is at 7-under heading into the weekend one shot off the lead shared by four golfers. "I started off well, then kind of fizzled a little bit. I just tried to stay positive. I wanted to get seven birdie looks in the last seven holes, and unfortunately, they were longer looks than I wanted, but ended up with a few birdies coming in," Thompson said. "My first birdie coming in on 15, I ended up making a put off the collar that I wasn't really expecting, down the hill right to left. I was just trying to par, but I really just wanted to stay confident over the last couple of holes coming in. "There were a few par saves that were important to keep me in it. Just staying patient out there because it got really windy. You have to know birdie holes are out there." More: Four eagles crowd leaderboard at Meijer LPGA Classic; Lexi Thompson in mix Advertisement More: Daughter of Michigan State coach makes LPGA debut at Meijer as Monday-qualifier Thompson won this event in 2015 and has been in contention nearly every year at Blythefield. She finished second last year at 16-under. In the 10 Meijer LPGA Classics she has played in, she has finished second three times, in the top five a total of five times and in the top 10 six times. She finished 20th once (despite shooting 15-under), 41st (her first time at Blythefield) once and missed the cut once. No one has had that kind of extended success at Blythefield except Thompson, despite two wins for Brooke Henderson and a spectacular three-year stretch for Leona Maguire. Thompson has been in contention eight of 10 times she has played the course. Lexi Thompson looks down the fairway after driving the golf ball during the second day of the LPGA Classic on June 13. And after two rounds this year, she is in contention again for the 11th time. Advertisement "It is an amazing tournament in general. We always look forward to coming back here. The golf course is always in great shape. The way the community gets behind the tournament and gives back, that is what we really like about it. It is not just a golf tournament," Thompson said. Morning an advantage again at Meijer LPGA Classic The first round saw an 8-under, 7-under and several bunched in the 6-5-4-under range, bunching the leaderboard. Four players in the top 10 registered eagles in the opening round. It wasn't eagles, but birdies difficult to come by in the second round in the afternoon especially. Advertisement Those birdies that generally come a little easier at Blythefield Country Club. A few players who teed off early in the morning had a string of birdies, but it was not the same in the afternoon. Carlota Ciganda had seven birdies in the second round in one of the early groups, but also had a couple of bogeys and finished 6-under for the round and 8-under for the tournament. Celine Boutier had a similar round with seven birdies and three bogies to finish 4-under for the day and 8-under for the tournament. Hye-Jin Choi was 4-under for the second day in a row to tie Ciganda and Boutier at 8-under. One afternoon player had a share of the lead as Karis Davidson shot a 2-under, with a birdie on 18, to share the lead at 8-under. Advertisement Nanna Koerst Madsen was one shot behind after an up-and-down round that saw her double-bogey the first hole, but then nail eight birdies to finish 6-under for the day and 7-under heading into the weekend. Contact sports editor Dan D'Addona at Dan.D'Addona@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Lexi Thompson one off the lead at Meijer LPGA Classic
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lexi Thompson, one shot off lead, is finding success once again at Meijer LPGA Classic
Lexi Thompson, one shot off lead, is finding success once again at Meijer LPGA Classic BELMONT, Mich. - As Lexi Thompson's approach on 18 found the green, Thompson did something she hadn't for most of her round - she smiled. It was a moment of triumph, and relief, for Thompson, who birdied 18 and had three birdies in her final four holes to pull within one shot of the lead heading into the weekend at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club. Thompson, who birdied the first hole on Friday, had one bogey and 12 pars in the next 13 holes before finishing strong. She had a 3 under Friday and is at 7 under heading into the weekend, one shot off the lead shared by four golfers. "I started off well, then kind of fizzled a little bit. I just tried to stay positive. I wanted to get seven birdie looks in the last seven holes, and unfortunately, they were longer looks than I wanted, but ended up with a few birdies coming in," Thompson said. "My first birdie coming in on 15, I ended up making a put off the collar that I wasn't really expecting, down the hill right to left. I was just trying to par, but I really just wanted to stay confident over the last couple of holes coming in. "There were a few par saves that were important to keep me in it. Just staying patient out there because it got really windy. You have to know birdie holes are out there." Thompson won this event in 2015 and has been in contention nearly every year at Blythefield. She finished second last year at 16-under. In the 10 Meijer LPGA Classics she has played in, she has finished second three times, in the top five a total of five times and in the top 10 six times. She finished 20th once (despite shooting 15 under), 41st (her first time at Blythefield) once and missed the cut once. No one has had that kind of extended success at Blythefield, despite two wins for Brooke Henderson and a spectacular three-year stretch for Leona Maguire. Thompson has been in contention eight of 10 times she has played the course. And after two rounds this year, she is in contention again for the 11th time. "It is an amazing tournament in general. We always look forward to coming back here. The golf course is always in great shape. The way the community gets behind the tournament and gives back, that is what we really like about it. It is not just a golf tournament," Thompson said. Morning an advantage again at Meijer LPGA Classic The first round saw an 8 under, 7 under and several bunched in the 6-5-4-under range, bunching the leaderboard. Four players in the top 10 registered eagles in the opening round. It wasn't eagles, but birdies that were difficult to come by in the second round in the afternoon especially. Those birdies that generally come a little easier at Blythefield Country Club. A few players who teed off early in the morning had a string of birdies, but it was not the same in the afternoon. Carlota Ciganda had seven birdies in the second round in one of the early groups, but also had a couple of bogeys and finished 6-under for the round and 8-under for the tournament. Celine Boutier had a similar round with seven birdies and three bogies to finish 4-under for the day and 8-under for the tournament. Hye-Jin Choi was 4 under for the second day in a row to tie Ciganda and Boutier at 8 under. One afternoon player had a share of the lead as Karis Davidson shot a 2 under, with a birdie on 18, to share the lead at 8 under. Nanna Koerst Madsen was one shot behind after an up-and-down round that saw her double-bogey the first hole, but then nail eight birdies to finish 6-under for the day and 7-under heading into the weekend.
