Michigan Golf Journal July 2021

Meijer LPGA Classic GRAND RAPIDS – Nelly Korda won the Meijer LPGA Classic – which raised $1.1 million for local food pantries – with a dazzling 25-under par four-day total to set a new tournament record to par at Blythefield Country Club. Her 5-under 67 final round came on the heels of her career low 62 in the third round. Korda is the first player with multiple wins on the LPGA Tour this 2021 season and earned her fifth career win. Making local MSU Spartans proud were two golfers: recent graduate Sarah Burnham, and current player Valery Plata. Burnham finished at 9-under par, but the field was so strong in scoring she ended up at T57. “I had some great shots today,” Burnham said after round four. “Overall, my game is right where it needs to be. Maybe a few more putts could have dropped but overall, I was happy with the round.” The Meijer LPGA Classic was the first LPGA event Burnham played in a few years ago, near the end of her MSU career as a two- time Big Ten Player of the Year. “I know a lot of people from Michigan, so it still has a good family vibe for me here. It was great being back out here, playing in a familiar place.” Plata finished in Grand Rapids with a birdie on the final hole to close at 4-under par, T70. To provide some perspective, she placed 2-strokes ahead of playing partner Jeongeun Lee6, who finished T12 in the U.S. Open. Plata also played in the final group with World No. 1 Jin Young Ko, who finished with 5-under the last day to tie Burnham at T57. “I don’t think it’s really quite sunk in yet, that might take a while,” Plata said soon after signing her Sunday scorecard. “It was great to play with people who have won many times here (on the Tour). It was fun. It was really good to watch a lot of good shots, and some not really good shots but to watch how they recovered from those.” More details here. MGJ MSU Players Shine at Meijer LPGA Classic By Tom Lang Sarah Burnham