10 players to watch at the 2021 ANA Inspiration

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — As a major championship on the LPGA, the ANA Inspiration annually boasts one of the strongest fields in women’s golf.

And like some other majors, the ANA seems to reward some players with strong performances over and over again, with multiple wins or constant appearances in the top 10 of the event year after year.

The ANA Inspiration has been played at Mission Hills Country Club’s Dinah Shore Tournament Course in Rancho Mirage, California, since the tournament was founded in 1972. The event will be played at 6,769 yards with a par of 72.

Here are 10 players to pay attention to this week as the tournament begins for the 50th time:

Jin Young Ko

Technically, Ko cannot be the third player to win the ANA Inspiration in consecutive years because she won in 2019 but skipped the 2020 event because of COVID-19 restrictions. But the No. 1 player in the world managed to reach 10-under par in 2019 on a course designed to stop anyone from getting to double digits under par.

Jin Young Ko prepares to tee off at the first hole during the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, at the Tiburon Golf Club in North Naples, Florida.

Nelly Korda

Korda has played some of the best golf on the LPGA since the return of play last summer after the coronavirus shutdown, and that included a playoff loss at the ANA Inspiration in September. She has the length to handle the Dinah Shore Tournament Course and should win the title in her career.

Nelly Korda takes a selfie with the trophy following the final round of the Gainbridge LPGA at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club on February 28, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo: Julio Aguilar-Getty Images)

Sei Young Kim

The 2020 LPGA Player of the Year nearly won this title in 2015 but faded to fourth in the final round. But she now has her major at the 2020 Women’s PGA Championship and could be primed for another run in Rancho Mirage.

Sei Young Kim tees off at one during the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, at the Tiburon Golf Club in North Naples, Florida.

Inbee Park

Like Lexi Thompson, Park has a victory and a playoff loss in this tournament over the last decade. She can putt on the overseeded greens as well as anyone, and with seven major titles to her credit she understands Sunday pressure as well as any player on the tour.

Inbee Park tees off during the final round of the Kia Classic at the Aviara Golf Club on March 28, 2021 in Carlsbad, California. (Photo: Donald Miralle-Getty Images)

Brooke Henderson

The Canadian star had her best performance at the ANA Inspiration last September when she made a three-way playoff with Nelly Korda and eventual winner Mirim Lee. That dispelled the idea that Henderson needs the numerous Canadian snowbirds who live in the desert rooting for her, since there were no fans allowed on the course. It still has a bit of a home-game feel for Henderson.

Brooke Henderson tees off at eighteen during the CME Group Tour Championship pro-am on Dec, 16, 2020, at the Tiburon Golf Club in North Naples, Florida. (Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News)

Brittany Lincicome

Lincicome is one of eight golfers to have won the ANA Inspiration at least twice, and the only multiple winner of the title in the field this year. She has the power to overwhelm the par-5s if she is hitting it straight off the tee as she looks to join Amy Alcott, Betsy King and Annika Sorenstam as three-time winners.

Brittany Lincicome during the first round of the 2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on October 08, 2020 in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Patrick Smith-Getty Images)

Mirim Lee

Lee was a shocking winner of the tournament last year with a final-hole eagle that set up a playoff victory with a birdie on the same par-5 18th hole. Perhaps the win was unexpected, but Lee now has the most recent winning memory at the Shore Course, and that means a lot in a major championship.

Mirim Lee celebrates after winning the 2020 ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Golf Club. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

Lydia Ko

Ko was just 18 when she won the 2016 ANA Inspiration and was setting the LPGA on fire at the time. She hasn’t won on tour since 2018, but she is popping up on leader boards again at seemingly every tournament. This could be a familiar place for another major win at just 23.

Lydia Ko during round two of the Gainbridge LPGA at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club on February 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Danielle Kang

Surprisingly, Kang hasn't had a great record at the ANA Inspiration until the last two years, when she finished sixth and 11th at Mission Hills. She was the leader of the event last September but slipped back in the last two rounds. She is a strong driver of the golf ball, and that's important at this tournament.

Danielle Kang plays a shot on the seventh hole during the third round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament Of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Course at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club on January 23, 2021 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Michelle Wie West

Since she debuted at this tournament at age 13, Wie West has been one of the most compelling figures in the history of the ANA Inspiration. Out of golf for nearly two years with injuries, a marriage and the birth of a daughter, Wie West is back on the LPGA now and returning to Mission Hills, and that's worth watching.

Michelle Wie West plays during a practice round for the Kia Classic at the Aviara Golf Club on March 23, 2021 in Carlsbad, California. (Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

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