First Set of Golfers Announced for 2011 ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Ai Miyazato will return to Galloway Township to defend her 2010 LPGA ShopRite Classic Championship this year.

Miyazato was among the early commitments announced by the tournament on Thursday. This year’s event takes place May 30-June 5 at the recently renovated Seaview Dolce Resorts.

Those challenging Miyazato this year will include:

* Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, winner of the 1996 and 1998 tournaments;

* Christie Kerr, the 2004 tournament champion who is currently ranked No. 3 in the world according to the LPGA Rolex Rankings;

* Seon Hwa Lee, winner of the 2006 tournament;

* Janice Moodie, the 2000 ShopRite LPGA Classic champion;

* Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak, the 1999 tournament champion;

* Angela Stanford, the 2003 winner; and

* Karrie Webb, a 38-time LPGA winner and Hall of Fame Member.

When all is said and done, the tournament is expected to host 150 of the world’s best professional female golfers.

“These early commitments from past champions and some of the game’s greatest players are a true testament to the notion that not only did Atlantic City miss the LPGA, but the LPGA missed Atlantic City,” ShopRite LPGA Classic Executive Director Tim Erensen said. “We are confident that as our final field unfolds over the next five weeks, we will once again offer golf at its best and world class entertainment right here on the Jersey shore.”

The tournament will be televised live on the Golf Channel. The 54-hole tournament offers a purse of $1.5 million. Miyazato won last year’s tournament by two strokes over M.J. Hur to take home $225,000.

Ticket, sponsor, volunteer and tournament information is available at ShopRiteLPGAClassic.com. Biographical information for each player currently announced to play in the tournament is available at shopritelpgaclassic.com/players.php.