5 featured groups for the LPGA Lotte Championship explored

Ayaka Furue, Jin Young Ko and Marina Alex ( via Getty) — Ayaka Furue (L), Jin Young Ko, Marina Alex (R) [Images: Getty]

The Lotte Championship is the upcoming stop for the LPGA Tour, and it will take place at the Hoakalei Country Club from November 6 to 9. After this, only two events remain on the LPGA schedule: the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican and the CME Group Tour Championship.

An array of golfers is teeing up for the 2024 Lotte Championship on Thursday morning. Here's a look at five featured groups for the first round:

Five featured groups for the Lotte Championship

Grace Kim, Brooke Henderson, and Hyo Joo Kim

Grace Kim is returning as the defending champion at the Lotte Championship. She is paired with Brooke Henderson and Hyo Joo Kim for the first round at 11:53 a.m. GMT on the first tee.

Last year, Henderson finished 11th with 7-under and Hyo Joo finished T48 with 1-over. In 2022, Hyo Joo won with 11-under, Grace didn't play, and Henderson withdrew from the event due to illness.

Emily Kristine Pedersen, Hinako Shibuno, and Ryann O’Toole

Emily Kristine Pedersen is paired with Hinako Shibuno and Ryann O’Toole for the Thursday round at 7:40 a.m. GMT on the 10th tee.

Last year, Pedersen and Shibuno were T57 with 2-over. O'Toole was T38 with even-par. In 2022, O’Toole finished T6 with 4-under, Pedersen landed T18 with 1-under, and Shibuno was the runner-up with 9-under.

Ayaka Furue, Jin Young Ko, and Marina Alex

Ayaka Furue will start with Jin Young Ko and Marina Alex at 12:04 p.m. GMT on the first tee. Furue was T23 last year with 2-under and T67 in 2022 with 6-over.

Ko has not played at the LPGA event for the last two years. Alex finished T38 in 2023 with even-par and didn't play the year before.

Angel Yin, Nasa Hataoka, and Hye-Jin Choi

Angel Yin, Nasa Hataoka, and Hye-Jin Choi will tee off together at the Lotte Championship. Their tee time is 7:18 a.m. GMT on the 10th tee.

Yin hasn't played in the tournament for the last two years. Choi finished T13 in 2023 and third in 2022. Hataoka settled for T16 in 2023 and failed to make the cutline in 2022.

Gaby Lopez, Mao Saigo, and Ashleigh Buhai

Gaby Lopez, Mao Saigo, and Ashleigh Buhai will start the 2024 Lotte Championship at 7:29 a.m. GMT on the 10th tee.

Lopez’s last appearance was in 2022. She finished T26 with even-par. Saigo didn't play in the last two editions and Buhai last appeared at the Lotte Championship in 2022 to finish at 6-under.

Edited by Aayush Kapoor