LPGA tournament begins Thursday with star-studded field

 The $1.5 million DIO Implant LA Open begins Thursday with spectators present for the LPGA tournament at the Wilshire Country Club for the first time since 2019.

The tournament was canceled in 2020 and spectators were barred in 2021 because of the coronavirus.

The field includes 16 of the top 25 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, led by the No. 1 player, South Korean Jin Young Ko, who recently set the LPGA Tour record with 34 consecutive rounds under par. She has won six of her last 12 starts dating back to July.

There are eight USC alumni in the field, including Sophia Popov, the winner of the 2020 AIG Women’s Open, one of the five major tournaments in women’s golf. There are seven UCLA alumni in the field, including Patty Tavatanakit, the 2021 winner of what is now The Chevron Championship, another of the majors.

The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties following the conclusion of Friday’s second round.

One-day grounds passes are $25 and a weekly pass is $40.

Admission is free for all service personnel, including military (active, retired, reserve and veteran), fire, police, emergency medical services and front-line health care workers (doctors and nurses), and their immediate family, up to four tickets. Proof of identification is required at the admissions gate.

Children under 17 are admitted free with a paid adult. Entrance to hospitality areas requires a paid ticket, regardless of age.

A canned food drive will be Thursday with free admission for any spectator bringing in three or more cans of food for donation.

The tournament will be televised on Golf Channel from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday and 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Coverage will be available from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the NBC Sports app and golfchannel.com.

DIO Implant LA Open will be the first of an unprecedented two back-to- back LPGA tournaments in Los Angeles County. The inaugural Palos Verdes Championship will begin next Thursday at Palos Verdes Golf Club.

Weekly grounds passes for both tournaments are $70, which includes general admission, pro shop and general concessions.