It's Baaaaak!

It's been three years since the TOTO Japan Classic was played as an LPGA event. That changes this week!

Perhaps no LPGA tournament was more affected by the pandemic than the TOTO Japan Classic. While the event was played in 2020 and 2021, neither was LPGA sanctioned, only JLPGA. So we have two defending champions in the field. While Ai Suzuki is the defending LPGA champ (2019), Ayaka Furue is the defending JLPGA champion (2021).

And while Jiyai Shin isn't a defending champion, she is the 2020 JLPGA champion. All three are in the field.

LPGA.com put the basics of this event in perspective:

The 72-hole event boasts a $2 million purse with no cut contested by a field of 42 of LPGA’s best and 36 JLPGA players.

Atthaya Thitikul is making her first appearance anywhere as the Rolex #1, and there are still seven players with a chance to win the Rolex Player of the Year Award. There's a lot at stake this week!

Because this event is in Japan, GC's live coverage begins Wednesday (TONIGHT!) at 11pm ET. It's gonna be nice to see this event back on the LPGA schedule.

And remember: After this event, there are only TWO left on the 2022 LPGA schedule.