Author: elias.scharner

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Ladies Tours

How Much Does It Cost to Play Ladies European Tour?

Hannah Gregg about the costs of playing the Ladies European Tour. (Image: Getty)
Hannah Gregg about the costs of playing the Ladies European Tour. (Image: Getty)

US golfer Hannah Gregg gave her followers an insight into the financing of a tournament weekend on the Ladies European Tour on X (formerly Twitter). It should be mentioned upfront that this is an example of a single athlete and in no way reflects the (financial) situation of every female athlete. Nevertheless, this example is thought-provoking.

How Much Playing LET Really Costs

In her calculation example, Gregg first mentions her costs. She had to pay 3,672 dollars for flights, work visa, food, fuel for the car, participation fee and the lounge pass for her caddie. In this case, the hotel and hire car cost her nothing. There were also no costs for the caddie, as this role was filled by her fiancé. Hannah Gregg made the cut at the tournament and finished the weekend in 54th place, which earned her prize money of 1,244 dollars. This prize money is subject to 35 per cent tax, which means that Gregg would have had to finish 21st to make a profit, she calculates. Achieving a place in the top 25 is not easy in golf, and if your financial situation also depends on it to some extent, it certainly doesn’t make things any easier. But here, too, it has to be said that this is a special example because Gregg has higher travelling costs as an American.

Ladies European Tour versus LPGA Tour: the comparison

Comparing the two biggest tours for women, the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, to their male counterparts is a bottomless pit. Last weekend, the Amundi German Masters on the Ladies European Tour and the Mizuho Americas Open on the LPGA Tour were two normal regular-season tournaments. While Alexandra Försterling received 45,000 euros for her home win, Nelly Korda received the equivalent of almost 414,500 euros for her victory at the Mizuho Americas Open. Sophia Popov received almost as much as Alexandra Försterling for her tied 14th place on the LPGA Tour with around 37,000 euros. The last-placed players of those who made the cut on the Ladies European Tour received €810. By comparison, the last-placed golfers from the weekend on the LPGA Tour received €7,600. This example shows that there is a huge gap even within women’s golf and not to begin the comparison between men and women in golf.

Categories
LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour: Ten Players Withdraw from Mizuho Americas Open

LPGA Tour: Rose Zhang withdrawed after three holes. (Image: Getty)
LPGA Tour: Rose Zhang withdrawed after three holes. (Image: Getty)

Since the Mizuho Americas Open began on the outskirts of New York on Thursday, ten players have already withdrawn from the tournament. Three of the players withdrew due to injury and the other seven “due to various illnesses”, according to a statement from the LPGA Tour. The statement went on to say: “Medical professionals on site have treated several athletes for symptoms related to a viral infection. The LPGA and tournament organizers continue to monitor the situation closely, and are working together to advice and assist the LPGA athletes with precautions to try to keep everyone healthy.”

LPGA Tour: Defending champion Rose Zhang ill

After playing three holes in her opening round, the winner of the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open, Rose Zhang, had to withdraw on Thursday. The reason: severe intestinal problems. It is not clear from the LPGA Tour statement whether the six other golfers, who also had to end their tournament due to illness, are affected by the same infection. In addition to the American Zhang, Caroline Masson, Maja Stark, Minami Katsu, Jiwon Jeon, Haeran Ryu and Paula Creamer are also ill.

Two players benefit from the withdrawals

As Germany’s Caroline Masson and Sweden’s Maja Stark had already withdrawn before the first round, Mao Saigo and So Mi Lee slipped into the field at the Mizuho Americas Open. Both are back in the top 10 of the leaderboard after strong performances. At seven under par, the South Korean So Mi Lee is the sole runner-up and the Japanese Mao Saigo is tied third at six under par. Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul is in the lead at the tournament near the Statue of Liberty on nine under par. World number one Nelly Korda is in T3.

Leaderboard LPGA Tour
Categories
Highlights Tours

Scottie Scheffler on Arrest: “It Was a Very Chaotic Situation”

PGA Championship 2024: Scottie Scheffler has issued a statement (Images: ActionNetworkHQ/Twitter; Getty)
PGA Championship 2024: Scottie Scheffler has issued a statement (Images: ActionNetworkHQ/Twitter; Getty)

Friday morning (local time), world number one Scottie Scheffler was arrested on his way to his second round at the 2024 PGA Championship. The world number one wanted to drive past police officers who were directing traffic after an accident, but there was a misunderstanding.

Scottie Scheffler Arrested Before Round 2

Scottie Scheffler’s statement in detail:

Scheffler was released shortly afterwards and made it back to the golf course in time for his tee time. He commented on the incident in an Instagram story before his round:”This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective.”

PGA Championship 2024: A traffic accident triggers the events

The events were triggered by a traffic accident on Shelbyville Road, a road close to the golf club. In the accident, a man crossing the road, who was working around the tournament, was hit by a shuttle bus. This caused traffic jams and road closures.

Scottie Scheffler back on the course and starts with a birdie

The reigning winner of the Masters is now back on the course and has started his round – how could it be otherwise – with a birdie.

You can follow the progress of his round in the live ticker.

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