One of the LPGA’s most prestigious events is underway at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City.

The Mizuho Americas Open features one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour. It also includes the top juniors, who get to play alongside the pros at the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Invitational, which takes place concurrently. The pairing offers an unprecedented week of education, mentorship and access to inspire the next generation of LPGA Tour Players.

The increased purse of $3 million makes it one of the largest non-Major Championship purses on the LPGA Tour schedule. LPGA Tour icon and Mizuho Americas Brand Ambassador Michelle Wie West serves as Tournament Host.

The inaugural Mizuho DrivHER Summit took place Wednesday, aimed at advancing equity and opportunity for women and girls.

Raising the bar

“As soon as the Mizuho Americas Open trophy was handed out last year, we started considering ways we could elevate the event in the future,” said Mizuho Americas Chief Marketing Officer Cheryl Gilberg earlier this month during Media Day.

“The inaugural Mizuho Americas Open was a storybook event with Rose Zhang winning in her professional debut on the LPGA Tour,” said Caila Roberts, tournament director at Excel Sports Management, during Media Day. “As the popularity of women’s professional sports continues to ascend, our partnership with Mizuho, Liberty National, and the LPGA and AJGA continues to raise the bar for women’s golf. With Mizuho leading the charge along with a strong lineup of corporate partners, a passionate golf fan base, and an elite field led by Nelly Korda and the top 10 players in the world, it is set-up to be another memorable week at Liberty National Golf Club.”

Korda, the number one player in the world, makes her first start at this event. She has had remarkable season, which included a run of five-straight tournament wins. Last week at the Cognizant Founders Cup, also in New Jersey at Upper Montclair County Club in Clifton, Korda tied for seventh.

“It’s been so much fun getting to travel all over the U.S., mainly being happy and healthy,” Korda said this week. “I feel like that’s what has caused me the most joy, is like going out and enjoying myself and being healthy compared to years before when I was struggling maybe with injuries. But, yeah, it’s been a wild, wild ride winning those five in a row … it’s been an amazing ride, and hopefully I can continue building on that throughout the entire season – because it’s still a long year ahead.”

Course work

At the start of the tournament, which runs through Sunday, the players have had to navigate gloomy and wet weather conditions on an already difficult course – that golfers love to play, regardless.

“Yeah, staying patient out there is probably the most important thing. Definitely gets really frustrating. I was kind of losing it all over on the front nine,” said Korda after a two-under first round. “With so many layers on and the rain, you can get frustrated. But I think the first thing that you kind of have to remind yourself is that there is more golf to be played and that it’s really important to be patient over anything else.”

“I feel like I am pretty comfortable out here, especially at Liberty National,” said Yana Wilson, AJGA defending champion. “It’s one of my favorite courses. It looks good to my eye so really fits it. I’ve had a lot of practice rounds here, so I’ve gotten a lot of the experience and play on this course. I feel like I know pretty much every square inch on this golf course by now.”

“I love coming back here. Last year I had so much fun,” said Andrea Lee. “This golf course, it’s amazing. I think it’s one of the nicer courses we play on our schedule and my agency, Excel, runs the whole event. It means a lot to be out here and have their support. Yeah, just going to enjoy the rest of the week and hopefully play some more solid golf.”

Embracing the game

There was one unfortunate development Thursday, however – as defending champ and phenom, Rose Zhang, withdrew from the tournament after just three holes, citing illness.

“I am really disappointed that I had to withdraw from the Mizuho Americas Open today,” said Zhang in a statement. “This tournament holds a special place in my heart, having had such an amazing week last year when I captured my first LPGA Tour win here at Liberty National. I was really looking forward to trying to defend my title, but unfortunately spent the last 12 hours with really bad intestinal pain.”

Overall, though, the weekend is shaping up to be a memorable one in Jersey City.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the best female golfers in the world to Liberty National,” said Dan Fireman, executive chairman of Liberty National Golf Club. “Hosting such a special event at our club fits perfectly within our broader mission to embrace and grow the game of golf that we all love. As longtime supporters of the AJGA and junior golf more broadly, we take tremendous pride in watching future stars shine brightly alongside today’s top players.”