| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 10–13 |
| Location | Rancho Mirage, California 33°47′53″N 116°25′59″W / 33.798°N 116.433°W |
| Course(s) | Mission Hills Country Club Dinah Shore Tournament Course |
| Tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
| Format | 72-holes stroke play |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,763 yd (6,184 m) |
| Field | 104 players, 76 after cut |
| Cut | 148 (+4) |
| Prize fund | $3.1 million |
| Winner's share | 465,000 |
| Champion | |
 Mirim Lee | |
| 273 (−15), playoff | |
| Location map | |
  Rancho Mirage Location in the United States  Rancho Mirage Location in California | |
The 2020 ANA Inspiration was the 49th ANA Inspiration LPGA golf tournament, held on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Originally scheduled for April 2–5, the tournament was postponed to September 10–13, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] This was its 38th year as an LPGA major championship, and it was the second major of 2020 following the AIG Women's Open, held in August.
The championship was held in a bubble[a] and behind closed doors, although residents of the Mission Hills gated community were able to watch from within the boundaries of their own homes.[2] A large blue colored structure, dubbed the "Big Blue Wall", was erected behind the 18th green, where a grandstand would normally have been, in order to promote the championships main sponsor. This attracted much criticism since it served as a backstop, preventing approach shots from going into the water behind the green.[3][4]
Due to expected conditions in the California desert in September, with forecast temperatures in excess of 105 °F (41 °C), the LPGA allowed caddies to ride in carts for the duration of the tournament. Players could also ride in carts during practice rounds, but were still required to walk during the tournament.[5]
Mirim Lee won her first major championship with a birdie at the first extra hole of a playoff with Brooke Henderson and Nelly Korda. The three had tied at 273 (15-under-par) after 72 holes. The big blue wall played its part, as both Lee and Henderson used the backstop on the final hole of regulation play to make eagle and birdie respectively to tie Korda, who could only make par.[6][7][8]
- ^ "Statement on Upcoming LPGA and Symetra Tour Schedules". LPGA. March 12, 2020.
- ^ Strege, John (September 8, 2020). "The LPGA will be playing the ANA Inspiration in a COVID-19 bubble that, alas, is not air-conditioned". Golf World. Golf Digest. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- ^ Lavner, Ryan (September 11, 2020). "LPGA players 'surprised' to see logoed wall behind 18 green at ANA". Golf Channel. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ Dethier, Dylan (September 14, 2020). "5 final thoughts on the ANA Inspirations's big blue controversial wall". Golf.com. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ "LPGA to allow caddies in carts to cope with extreme heat at ANA Inspiration". Golf Channel. Associated Press. September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- ^ Shipnuck, Alan (September 13, 2020). "How a first-time major winner — and a big, blue wall — took over the ANA Inspiration". Golf.com. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ "ANA Inspiration: Mirim Lee wins first major title after three-way play-off". BBC Sport. September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ "Highlights: M. Lee outlasts Korda, Henderson at ANA". Golf Channel. September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
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