Seven players share the lead for the first round of the 2023 KWI

Emma Von Hoffmann is one of seven players tied for the lead after the first round.

Fort Worth, Texas – The morning started off chilly with cloudy skies, temperatures in the mid-40’s and strong wind. As the sun came out, temperatures crept up to the high 50s in the afternoon with wind gusts over 12mph. 

Annika Ishiyama, Chloe Kovelesky, Natalie Yen, Ellen Yu, Lauryn Finley, Honorine Nobuta Ferry and Emma Von Hoffmann are all tied for the lead after the first round of the Kathy Whitworth Invitational with scores of 1 over par 72. Having 7 tied for the lead and 13 tied for second means that tomorrow will be interesting!

“With the wind, you have to just go to the middle of the green. You have to be really patient out there,” said Von Hoffmann, the senior who has committed to Georgia Southern.

Following the players today were several college coaches and 6-time LPGA tournament champion Pat Hurst.

The start of the Kathy Whitworth Invitational was initially set for the Thursday before the first round, with a junior clinic held at Mira Vista for kids in the First Tee of Fort Worth. This year’s clinic was canceled due to bad weather conditions. 

Sunday serves as the official practice round for the players and the Junior Am for sponsors. This is an excellent way for sponsors and players to mingle and play together on the golf course. All the money raised for this event goes to the Kathy Whitworth Foundation, which distributes it throughout the community. LPGA champion Angela Stanford even played with 2021/2022 KWI champion Bailey Shoemaker and Emerson Blair. Following the Junior Am, players enjoyed burgers donated from In & Out, while sponsors enjoyed cocktails and live music by Monty Dawson. Everyone had a wonderful time, but it was very apparent that one person, one extraordinary person, was missing. Kathy, who passed away in December 22, 2022, was always out here greeting all the players and sponsors.

Host Course: Mira Vista Country Club is hosting the prestigious championship for the 24th year. Mira Vista is a unique 18-hole championship designed by golf professional Tom Weiskopf and golf course architect Jay Morrish. The par-71 course is playing just over 6200 yards for the girls.

What’s at Stake: This is one of the few, if not only, girls-only junior events in which the winner will earn an exemption into the Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America, which is the longest-running LPGA Tour event in the state of Texas. The event is ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and Golfweek. 

AGA PBE: Top 3 – Fully Exempt, Top 5 – 12 Performance Stars, Top 10 – 8 Performance Stars, Top 15 – 4 Performance Stars

Next Up:  Pairings for the Final Round of the Kathy Whitworth Invitational are available and can be viewed by clicking here. Players will be teeing off of both #1 and #10 tees between 9:00 AM and 10:50 AM. 

To see all the scores from Monday’s first round, click here. For more information on the Kathy Whitworth Invitational, click here.