After Patty Tavatanakit’s remarkable victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand, the LPGA Tour has now moved to the second event in its Asian Swing Schedule—the HSBC Women’s World Championship. However, unlike the previous event, which saw multiple golfers card low scores and hole birdie after birdie, the greens of Sentosa GC in Singapore were proving to be a challenge. Low scores after rounds became a testament.

Unfortunately, that’s now all. Another thing that has disturbed the field at the championship is a series of withdrawals. The LPGA Tour announced three withdrawals in the last two days from the HSBC Women’s World Championship due to undisclosed illnesses. Who were the unfortunate pros that had to leave the Singaporean greens? And is this a bigger cause of concern?

Three pros have withdrawn from the HSBC Women’s World Championship at the end of round three

The first withdrawal from the championship came from 1-time LPGA winner Mone Inami. The 2021 Olympics runner-up has been playing as a rookie on the LPGA Tour for the 2024 season after she won the TOTO Japan Classic last year as a nonmember and accepted the Tour card. Just 2 rounds in, Inami withdrew, carding 13 over, 153 with several bogeys painted on her scorecard. No reason was cited for her untimely exit.

Just a few hours later, Muni He followed in Inami’s footsteps. The Chinese golfer cited “illness” as her reason behind her stage left exit at the Sentosa Golf Club. Just like her Japanese counterpart, Muni was also struggling with her putting at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. The withdrawal came soon after she started playing the third round. 3 pars in, she left the greens.

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The latest withdrawal at the event was registered just hours ago. This time it was Alexa Pano, the only female pro to be sponsored by an NFL team (the New England Patriots). Pano was scheduled to play alongside Celine Borge and Danielle Kang on Sunday; however, the 19-year-old too had to leave early due to an “illness.” She was 10 over 222 before she withdrew from the event.

While these unexpected withdrawals seem to be a cause for concern, no clear link between them exists. Perhaps it is nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence. Meanwhile, this caused the fourth round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship to begin with three players less than it was supposed to. And with the competition having arguably eased for the field, the leader will undoubtedly be thrilled!

1-time LPGA Tour winner is looking to double down on her wins

It is none other than the 8-time JLPGA Tour winner, Ayaka Furue. The 23-year-old pro has been on the rise in the 2024 season. At the season opener, the HGV Tournament of Champions, and the Drive On Championship, Furue was tied for fourth, carding her top-five finishes. Even in Thailand, the Japanese pro was in the top 25 in the field as she finished T23.

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Observing the trajectory of Furue and combining it with her being the current leader of the HSBC Women’s World Championship with 10 under, 138 after three rounds, she can definitely clinch her second victory on the LPGA Tour. The only obstacle in her winning path may be Celine Boutier, who is racing behind her and inching closer to her berth. Will Furue come out victorious despite the hurdles? Stay tuned to find out.

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