- Lindblad cards career-best 63 despite 10-foot+ par challenges
- Tournament moves to El Caballero amid Wilshire Country Club renovations
- 16-year-old Asterisk Talley misses cut by 1 stroke after Augusta National success
The JM Eagle LA Championship witnessed unprecedented drama as Swedish rookie Ingrid Lindblad matched two-time LPGA winner Ashleigh Buhai’s 13-under total through 36 holes. The temporary relocation to El Caballero Country Club – featuring narrower fairways and elevated greens – has reshaped scoring strategies across the field. Lindblad’s 10-birdie performance marked the lowest round by a first-year player since 2020, achieved through precise 73% fairway accuracy and clutch putting on 17-foot attempts.
Southern California’s unseasonal chill created firm playing conditions, with morning starters gaining 1.8-stroke advantage on slower greens according to ShotLink data. Buhai’s veteran composure shone through erratic drives, salvaging par on 83% of missed greens. The 2022 Women’s British Open champion credits her modified hybrid club selection for navigating El Caballero’s signature dogleg 7th hole, where she’s recorded back-to-back birdies.
Course architects noted the 6,258-yard layout’s redesigned bunkering has increased approach shot dispersion by 12% compared to Wilshire’s 2023 edition. This technical challenge favored precision players like Minjee Lee, whose morning 65 showcased a tour-leading 94% greens-in-regulation rate. The Australian star’s strategic layups on par-5s contrast sharply with Lindblad’s aggressive driver-wedge tactics, setting up compelling weekend contrasts.
Regional impact studies reveal the venue shift boosted local tourism revenue by $2.3M, with 40% of spectators attending their first LPGA event. Tournament director Sarah Williams emphasized El Caballero’s community partnerships: This temporary move let us introduce new fans to women’s golf through junior clinics and military outreach programs.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda’s steady 68 kept her within four strokes despite a double-bogey on the redesigned 12th hole. Equipment insiders report 63% of top-20 players have switched to high-spin balls this week to counter the course’s grainy Bermuda grass. Meanwhile, 16-year-old amateur Asterisk Talley’s near-miss qualifying attempt signals growing youth momentum, following her U.S. Girls Junior runner-up finish at this same venue.