Marathon Classic presented by Dana (LPGA Tournament)

Lydia Ko of New Zealand watches her drive on the 18th hole during the third round of the 2016 Marathon Classic
Lydia Ko tees off during the 2016 LPGA Marathon Classic, which she won. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
by Brent Kelley
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism.
Updated October 19, 2019

The Marathon Classic presented by Dana is the tournament played in the Toledo, Ohio, area that, until 2013, was always associated with the actor Jamie Farr. From its founding in 1984, the tournament was called some version of "Jamie Farr Toledo Classic" or "Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic" until, in 2013, Marathon Oil entered as the title sponsor. At that point, Farr's association with the event ended.

The Marathon Classic is a 72-hole tournament on the LPGA Tour schedule, played during the summer months.

2020 Marathon Classic

  • When: July 9-12
  • Where: Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio

2019 Tournament
Sei Young Kim closed with a 65 to earn the two-stroke victory over runner-up Lexi Thompson. Kim finished at 22-under 262, one stroke away from tying the tournament scoring record. It was the second win of 2019 for Kim, and the ninth of her LPGA career.

2018 Marathon Classic
Thidapa Suwannapura of Thailand defeated major championship winner Brittany Lincicome in a playoff to claim the trophy. Suwannapura rallied in the final round with a 65, tying Lincicome at 14-under 270. On the first extra hole, Suwannapura won it with a birdie to Lincicome's par. It was the first career win on the LPGA for Suwannapura.

Marathon Classic Records:

Note that during the tournament's time as a 54-hole event, the best 54-hole winning total was Brandie Burton's 201 in 1993.

Marathon Classic Golf Courses:

The event is played at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio, on the northwestern edge of Toledo. Highland Meadows has been the tourney site since 1989. Prior to 1989, the first four tournaments were played at Glengarry Country Club in Toledo, a track now known as Stone Oak Country Club.

Marathon Classic Trivia and Notes:

  • Se Ri Pak is the queen of the Marathon Classic, winning the tournament five times.
  • Pak's first victory here was in 1998, her rookie year on the LPGA Tour. It was the third win of her LPGA career, following major championship victories at the LPGA Championship and U.S. Women's Open. Pak's winning score in 1998 of 261 was, at that time, a tour record for lowest 72-hole stroke total (that record has since been surpassed).
  • Pak's five victories at this tournament ties the LPGA record for most wins in the same tournament. Mickey Wright (Sea Island Open) and Annika Sorenstam (Samsung World Championship and Mizuno Classic) also won the same tournament five times (twice in Annika's case).
  • The tournament has skipped two years in its history since debuting in 1984. No tournament was played in 1986 or 2011. In 2011, the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic was skipped so that the tournament staff could focus on the U.S. Senior Open that was played in Toledo on dates close to this event's dates.
  • The Farr began as a 72-hole tournament, switched to 54 holes from 1989-1996, went back to 72 holes in 1997 and has remained 72 holes since.
  • Aside from Pak's five wins, the other multiple winners here are Lydia Ko, Penny Hammel and Kelly Robbins, each with two victories.
  • Paula Creamer won the 2008 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic after opening with a first-round 60. Only Sorenstam's 59 at the 2001 Standard Register Ping is a lower round in LPGA history. On one of her nines during that round of 60, Creamer carded a 27, which ties the LPGA record for lowest nine holes.
  • The last of Meg Mallon's 18 LPGA victories happened at the 2004 Farr.
  • So Yeon Ryu's 2012 victory was highlighted by the 62 she shot in the final round. That score tied the LPGA record for lowest final round by a winner, shared by Juli Inkster, Annika Sorenstam, Mickey Wright and Kathy Whitworth.
  • The tournament name changed to Marathon Classic beginning in 2013. Actor Jamie Farr, a Toledo native, was a tournament booster throughout its history up to that point, and had his name in the title in previous years. Farr played the role of Klinger on the hit television series M*A*S*H in the 1970s and 1980s, and served as tournament host until retiring from those duties prior to the 2013 event.

LPGA Marathon Classic Winners:
(p-won playoff)

Marathon Classic
2019 - Sei Young Kim, 262
2018 - Thidapa Suwannapura-p, 270
2017 - In-Kyung Kim, 263
2016 - Lydia Ko-p, 270
2015 - Chella Choi-p, 270
2014 - Lydia Ko, 269
2013 - Beatriz Recari, 267

Jamie Farr Toledo Classic
2012 - So Yeon Ryu, 264
2011 - No Tournament
2010 - Na Yeon Choi, 270
2009 - Eunjun Yi, 266
2008 - Paula Creamer, 268
2007 - Se Ri Pak, 267
2006 - Mi Hyun Kim, 266
2005 - Heather Bowie Young, 274
2004 - Meg Mallon, 277
2003 - Se Ri Pak, 271
2002 - Rachel Hetherington, 270
2001 - Se Ri Pak, 269
2000 - Annika Sorenstam, 274
1999 - Se Ri Pak, 276
1998 - Se Ri Pak, 261
1997 - Kelly Robbins, 265
1996 - Joan Pitcock, 204
1995 - Kathryn Imrie, 205
1994 - Kelly Robbins, 204
1993 - Brandie Burton, 201
1992 - Patty Sheehan, 209
1991 - Alice Miller, 205
1990 - Tina Purtzer, 205
1989 - Penny Hammel, 206
1988 - Laura Davies, 277
1987 - Jane Geddes, 280
1986 - No Tournament
1985 - Penny Hammel, 278
1984 - Lauri Peterson, 278