Here's all you need to know about the 2023 KPMG Women's PGA Championship taking place at Baltusrol Golf Club
It's time for the second women's Major of the season which comes just days after Wyndham Clark secured his first Major, just one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy at the 123rd U.S. Open.
Here's all you need to know, plus a few ones to watch at the 69th KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
2023 KPMG Women's PGA Fast Facts
- Host: Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. Baltusrol is making its KPMG Women’s PGA Championship debut in 2023.
- Past winners at Baltusrol, Lower Course: The 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be the second women’s major championship played on the Lower Course. In a duel of World Golf Hall-of-Famers, Mickey Wright topped Betsy Rawls by six shots to win the 1961 U.S. Women’s Open. Whilst Phil Mickelson and Jimmy Walker notched memorable one-shot victories on the Lower Course in the 2005 and 2016 PGA Championships, respectively.
- Set-up: Lower Course at Baltusrol will be set to 6,621 yards and will play to a par 71. The yardage for each round of the championship may vary due to course setup and conditions.
- Field: 156 golfers, from 28 countries, 72 holes of stroke play will be cut after 36 holes to the low 70 scorers (and ties). In the event of a tie for first place after 72 holes, there will be a hole-by-hole play-off, beginning on 18. If a tie still remains, the playoff will advance holes four, five and 18 until a winner is determined.
- Purse: The purse doubled in 2022, reaching a total of $9 million, with the winner's cheque also doubling to $1.35 million.
- Champion: The champion will get their hands on the KPMG Women's PGA Championship trophy and an exemption from qualifying for the next five ANA Inspirations, AIG Women's Opens, U.S. Women's Opens and Evian Championships.
- Current champion: Although In Gee Chun had looked like she might cruise to an easy victory, an opening front nine of four-over-par put her win in jeopardy. But a late surge and some faltering from Lexi Thompson meant that Chun secured her third Major.
About Baltusrol Golf Club
Baltusrol Golf Club, sits at the base of Baltusrol Mountain in northern New Jersey, only a stone’s throw from New York City. With a rich heritage that dates back to 1895, Baltusrol remains true to founder, Louis Keller’s vision to create a world class golf club befitting America’s leading city.
Baltusrol’s two championship courses, the Lower and Upper, have played distinguished roles on the national golf stage since their creation by architect A.W. Tillinghast.
The Club has hosted 17 Major championships in its 125-year history, including seven U.S. Opens, two U.S. Women’s Opens, and two PGA Championships. In 2014, Baltusrol was designated a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its importance to Tillinghast’s career as a course designer.
Player to watch this week
Leona Maguire
Last week's winner Leona Maguire has come into form at just the right time. On Sunday she put on a blistering performance to shoot a final round 64 to win the Meijer LPGA Classic by two shots.
The win comes off two previous strong performances at the Mizuho Americas Open where she finished tied seventh and the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play where she finished third.
Talking ahead of the week at Baltursol, after her win, the 28-year-old said:
"I played the Monday after my Mizuho. It's a beastly golf course. It's a real major venue. This week is good preparation for it. I feel like I drove the ball really well this week.
"I think the greens are going to be firm and fast there like they were here. A slightly different test it being a major and all.
"The biggest thing will be resting and recovering after this as quickly as I can and resetting and going again tomorrow once we get on-site."
The Irishwoman is bound to be a popular choice with fans this week.
Linn Grant
In 2022, Linn Grant had a win rate of 25 per cent of the tournaments she entered, winning six times across the Ladies European Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour in South Africa. By this time last year, the Swede had already won four titles.
So, with just the one win at the Jabra Ladies Open in May and coming off a tied 41st place at the Scandinavian Mixed, an event which catapulted her name across the globe with her nine shot victory last year, you may say her form has dipped...
But don't be fooled. Grant is still very much at the top of her game. Grant, who is also celebrating turning 24 this week (Tuesday), is now able to split her time between the LPGA and LET tours. As well as her Jabra Ladies Open title, she also came close at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play, finishing alongside Maguire.
This is Grant's first Major on American soil as a professional. We're looking forward to seeing how the world number 22 tackles the course. One thing is for certain a Major is on the cards, it's just a matter of when.
Rose Zhang
When you start your professional career with a win and then make your next start at a Major championship, it's no surprise that all eyes will be on Rose Zhang as she takes to the fairways of Baltusrol. We'll await her press conference on Wednesday to see how she is feeling.
The American will tee off with Major champions Lexi Thompson and Minjee Lee at 8:39am (EST) on Thursday morning.
As fans we have had a couple of weeks to come down from the high of seeing Zhang hold her nerve in a nailbiting play-off against Jennifer Kupcho at the Mizuho Americas Open, the event hosted by Michelle Wie West.
We know the 20-year-old is a world class talent, already up to 64th in the world but a Major winner? It feels that might just be one leap too far at this stage but we don't doubt that she will have a strong performance this week in New Jersey.
Groups and Tee times
Here's a full list of who will be playing this week.
You can see all KPMG Women's PGA Championship Round One and Round Two tee times here.
How to watch the 2023 KPMG Women's PGA Championship
Last year it was extremely disappointing to only have 12 hours of TV coverage. It's not perfect but the coverage has more than doubled this year to 26 hours. In the UK, you can watch live coverage of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Sky Sports Mix, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf.
UK TV Schedule (All times BST)
First Round: Thursday, June 22 5pm – 8pm and 11pm - 12am Sky Sports Golf
Second Round: Friday, June 23 5pm – 8pm and 11pm - 12am Sky Sports Golf
Third Round: Saturday, June 24 4pm – 11pm Sky Sports Mix
Final Round: Sunday, June 25 4pm – 11pm Sky Sports Mix
For those in the UK, you can watch LIVE coverage os the 2023 KPMG Women's PGA Championship for FREE via Sky Sports Golf YouTube:
US Television Schedule (All times EDT)
First Round: Thursday, June 22 11am - 3pm Golf Channel, Peacock: 5pm - 7pm
Second Round: Friday, June 23 11am - 3pm Golf Channel, Peacock: 5pm - 7pm
Third Round: Saturday, June 24 11am - 3pm Peacock, NBC: 3pm - 6pm
Fourth Round: Sunday, June 25 11am - 2pm Peacock, NBC: 2pm - 6pm
Follow the KPMG Women's PGA Championship live leaderboard link here.
Inspired by the second women's Major of the season? Why not come and watch the best players in the world at the AIG Women's Open this summer at Walton Heath. Ticket prices start from £20.
