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Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by Insurance Office of America

Gaby Lopez tees off at the final round of the 2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship (Source: Getty)
Gaby Lopez tees off at the final round of the 2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship (Source: Getty)

GABY LOPEZ OUT TO DEFEND TITLE AT #DIAMONDLPGA

At the 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, Gaby Lopez knocked in a 25-foot birdie putt on the seventh playoff hole to capture her second career LPGA Tour victory. After Inbee Park fell out of the playoff with a bogey on the third hole, Lopez and Nasa Hataoka needed four more holes to decide the victor, waiting overnight to Lopez to capture the win on a chilly Monday morning.  

One year later, the Mexico City native cannot help but have a smile on her face as she looks back to her win, with big hopes of doing it all over again.

“It’s very special to me to be able to come back to Orlando, to be able to come back and share with the celebrities,” said Lopez, who will tee off No. 1 at 9:50 a.m. alongside World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam and two-time DRTOC celebrity winner and MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz. “I think we have an amazing opportunity to learn from huge minds that we don’t get to ever speak to directly this often.”

This year, Lopez comes to Central Florida in perhaps the best shape of her life. It is a marked difference from 2020, where Lopez competed in the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions battling through chronic neck pain.

“I feel probably the strongest I’ve ever felt in my career, so that’s probably the biggest advantage in me,” said Lopez, who also contracted COVID-19 in July 2020. “So to me, that has been tremendous. To have this year healthy, stronger, and a little faster in my club swing I think is such a blessing as well.”

SOPHIA POPOV A BRIGHT STAR IN A CELEBRITY FIELD

It’s her kind of event. Not only has Sophia Popov never met a stranger, she is the kind of magnetic media starlet who causes other celebrities to stop and pay attention. At the practice area at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club on Wednesday, Popov putted for just under an hour, greeting a plethora of MLB stars as if they were old friends, even though she quite clearly had no idea who they were. Then she waited in front of a Golf Channel camera for what seemed like an eternity to do a Golf Today hit with Shane Bacon and Damon Hack. She aced it like a veteran television host, which she has been in her native Germany at various times in her career

Then there was practice, a pretty intense session next to former NBA great Grant Hill who seemed far more starstruck and intimidated by Popov than she did by anything going on around her. Even Larry the Cable Guy riding his pitching wedge like a hobby horse up and down the range couldn’t rattle the 2020 AIG Women’s Open champion. One big infectious smile and she was back at it.

AIG noticed. The multinational insurance company is a Popov sponsor now. Others are on the way.

Personality makes up a big part of her appeal. As she joked in her Wednesday press conference with the media (after the practice and other obligations), “Yeah, so as you can tell, I’m a really anti-social person. I don’t talk a lot at all.” Another huge smile and laugh, the kind that makes you lean in. “No, I talk a lot as it is in regular tournament play – sorry to all my fellow competitors out there; beware.”

BROOKE HENDERSON AIMING TO START NEW WINNING STREAK

Looking purely at the statistics, the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando seems to be the perfect set-up for Canadian superstar Brooke Henderson. The nine-time LPGA Tour winner is a combined -20 here over the last two seasons. And while her low scores haven’t yet translated to victory (T4 in 2020 and T6 in 2019), she still loves it when she steps foot on the property.

“It’s just a really great week. It’s a great golf course,” said Henderson. “Just getting to know some of the celebrities and playing with them, they’re really great golfers. It’s just a great way to start the season.”

The 23-year-old has lots to be excited about in her seventh year on Tour, one that will hopefully be more normal when compared to 2020. Henderson has historically played in as many events as she possibly could, absolutely relishing the opportunity to compete. The COVID-19 pandemic altered her plans in 2020, leading her to skip more events than she would have liked. It also ended her streak of consecutive seasons with a win at five. So starting a new winning streak? That’s one of her big priorities for 2021.

“It was a really huge change for me, normally playing almost 30 events to only play 10,” said Henderson. “I’ve sat down with my dad, who is also my coach, and looked through the schedule. It’s hard to say right now, especially with COVID. Hopefully I’ll be able to compete in many more tournaments and hopefully get back on to my winning streak.

(Text: LPGA Press Release)

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LPGA Tour

LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan to Step Down in 2021

Mike Whan leaves LPGA following record performance in 2020 (Source: Getty)

“One of the hardest jobs of a leader is to know when their work is done”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 – After completing his 11th year as LPGA Commissioner, Mike Whan has notified the LPGA Board of Directors that he has made the difficult decision to transition out of the LPGA in 2021. While no firm date has been set for his departure, this announcement begins the start of a thorough and thoughtful Commissioner succession process.

Whan shared his decision today with LPGA staff, Members and sponsors in the attached letter, including the following messages:

“When I first joined the LPGA, I told the Board it would be a four-year term, giving me time to help the organization achieve its immediate goals. Now, as the longest-serving LPGA Commissioner, I look back on these 11 years with enormous pride and satisfaction at what we’ve accomplished together to provide opportunities for women to achieve their dreams in golf.

“You may be wondering why I’ve made the decision to step down – and why now? In many ways, this past year – with all the pandemic challenges – was also the LPGA’s most triumphant. We are entering 2021 on a wave of momentum – a strong schedule with record purses, new events/sponsors, double-digit viewership growth, and a talented team that demonstrated exceptional skill, resilience and capability to lead through challenging times.

“I simply wouldn’t leave the LPGA if I thought the future was uncertain or not trending straight up. In fact, even after the challenges we faced in 2020, the LPGA has NEVER been more financially secure, deeper in leadership talent, or more anchored by passionate, diverse sponsors from all around the world. The LPGA is poised for even greater heights; and as such, I’m excited to hand the baton to the next leader and become their biggest supporter.

“One of the hardest jobs of a leader is to know when their work is done. If the COVID-19 pandemic taught me anything, it was that the LPGA executive staff has full control of our business and is capable of incredible things. We have leaders who are visionary, compassionate, collaborative and humble. You may not agree with every decision they make, but they have led our Tours to new heights virtually every year.”

LPGA Board Chair Diane Gulyas said, “Mike Whan has been a transformational leader of the LPGA and we’ve been fortunate to retain him for 11 years. When he told of me of his intention to step down this year, I had two reactions: First, can we persuade him to stay? And, when that wasn’t possible, to fully respect his decision and begin a seamless transition.

“Mike’s leadership legacy will be felt for years: in the LPGA’s financial strength and value proposition; in its global reach; in the breadth of programs and services it now offers for women and girls in golf; and in the diversity and quality of companies wanting to partner with the LPGA. He has effectively guided the LPGA through a range of economic cycles and challenges, including the COVID 19 pandemic. And, he has been the voice of our Association and its commitment to opportunities for women in golf.”

“Mike has absolutely been the right leader at the right time,” said Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, the LPGA Tour’s Player President. “He rebuilt the Tour – and then reimagined its future – by bringing new events, new sponsors and a new value proposition around diversity and inclusion to the LPGA. He has that rare ability to get people of all ages and backgrounds excited and on board with his vision. We’re grateful for his leadership over these 11 years and know he’ll remain an advocate for the LPGA long after he departs.”

Marvol Barnard, President of the LPGA’s 1,800 teaching Professionals, said, “When Mike joined the LPGA in 2010, we were essentially a Tour and a Teaching division. Today, we are a bigger, broader, integrated organization dedicated to women in golf of all ages and abilities. Mike will always be an incredibly important person in the history of the LPGA Professionals, and we will always be grateful for his leadership, vision and guidance.”

Gulyas said the Board will establish a Commissioner Selection and Transition Committee and consider candidates from the LPGA’s talented executive staff as well from outside the organization. “It’s clear the LPGA today is a very different Association than the one Mike joined in 2010,” said Gulyas. “Our commitment to the LPGA – and all of our stakeholders – is to find the right leader to guide the Association through this next chapter in its storied history. 

“We are so grateful for Mike’s passion and leadership of the LPGA over more than a decade of service as our Commissioner. He will leave the LPGA well positioned for continued success, with an outstanding team of leaders and a strong and sustained culture – Act Like A Founder – that will endure for years to come.”    

(Text: LPGA Press Release 06/01/2021)

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LPGA Tour

MEET SOME OF THE INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN SET TO SHINE AT THE OMEGA DUBAI MOONLIGHT CLASSIC

Julia Engström ist part of the new Dubai Moonlight Classic Event. (Source: LPGA)
Julia Engström ist part of the new Dubai Moonlight Classic Event. (Source: LPGA)

DUBAI, 19 OCTOBER: Golfing superstars are not usually associated with acts of courage and determination but this year’s OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic will feature a line-up of golfers who have played an extraordinary role in terms of setting a sporting example, particularly when it comes to female empowerment.

In what has been a difficult and uncertain year for women’s sport due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s three-day tournament, which will take place from 4-6 November, is the latest event aimed at inspiring the next generation of young girls to set out in pursuit of their dreams and to overcome perceived barriers. The tournament will mark the return of sporting events to Dubai and take place under the appropriately named theme “Time To Shine”.

With the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic’s unique day and night event format taking women’s golf to a whole new frontier, now seems the perfect time to introduce three of the awe-inspiring women heading out to Dubai to compete for the $285,000 prize fund at the iconic Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club.

Amy Boulden

The first is Welsh professional Amy Boulden who from a young age was touted as a future superstar of the game. From the age of 13, Boulden had one of the most successful amateur careers in golfing history, winning three Home Internationals, representing Europe in the PING Junior Solheim Cup and being named BBC Wales Young Sportswoman of the Year. Boulden’s breakout potential seemed to be coming together as she turned professional at the age of 21. In her first season in 2014, she won her first tournament at the Association Suisse de Golf Ladies Open and went onto become the LET Rookie of the Year, after she made 12 cuts in 16 tournaments.

However, as the years progressed a first tournament victory on the Ladies European Tour continued to elude her as well as an unsuccessful attempt to secure playing rights on the LPGA tour. This slump in form resulted in the loss of her tour card in 2019 and it was at this point that Boulden re-evaluated her own place in the game. However, after showing serious resolve, Boulden took an important first step, regaining her place on the 2020 Ladies European Tour with victory at Qualifying School at La Manga Club in Spain, earlier this year in January.

Despite the pandemic and ongoing lockdown, Boulden was not yet done with 2020, as she stormed to victory in the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, her Maiden Ladies European Tour Win. Boulden’s victory in Switzerland was reminiscent of the sort of golf that saw Boulden originally first burst onto the scene in 2014 and means she now sits in fifth place on the Race to Costa del Sol European rankings, ahead of next month’s OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic.

Commenting on her reversal of fortune in 2020 and the adversity that she has had to overcome Boulden said:

“It’s obviously been a few tough years but since regaining my tour card, I’ve been focused in 2020 on just ensuring at each and every tournament that I put myself in contention, I am really happy with how I’ve handled the pressure so far this year and how I’ve shown killer instinct when I’ve needed to. I’m looking forward to playing in Dubai next month and putting myself in these positions more often, as this is where I want my game to be.”

Diksha Dagar

The second young tough competitor is Diksha Dagar, the youngest Indian woman to win on the distinguished Ladies European Tour when she claimed victory in 2019’s South African Women’s Open aged just 18-years-old. A phenomenal achievement in itself – made all the more incredible with Diksha being born deaf.

Commenting on the similarities between 2020 and facing adversity, Dagar said:

“In such a difficult year as 2020, just being able to play in tournaments such as the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic make me incredibly lucky. To be able to play professional golf is all thanks to my family and the people around me for offering me guidance, support and encouragement. Being born deaf, I never knew what it was like to hear or that I was missing anything. It’s this attitude that has allowed me to turn pro and compete with the attitude that I can play with the best.

“Golf has been an anchor in my life, bringing me great joy and happiness. To those suffering with their own problems, particularly young girls and women, I recommend accepting your respective situation and learning that whatever the difficulty it is likely to only form a small part of your overall life. It’s important to work hard and take advantage of the chances we’re offered. There is always opportunity in adversity, so use it.

“The fact that the tournament organisers have taken the decision to host this event behind closed doors in Dubai, is testament to our game’s resilience. Even if unable to watch in-person, golf brings excitement and joy to those watching and my goal for the end of this year is to play as well as I possibly can for those stuck at home and perhaps inspire those who thought golf might not be for them.”

Julia Engstöm

Swede Julia Engström, aged just 19-years-old, has had a fantastic 2020, winning her maiden LET golf title with a sensational victory in Australia at the Women’s NSW Open. Engström continued her fine form, quickly following up her first victory with a second at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France in September last month, after carding a hole-in-one en route to a second round 64 (−7).With that win she is currently top of the LET 2021 Solheim Cup Points leaderboard and second on the Race to Costa Del Sol, a remarkable achievement in just her third year as a professional.

However little known, is that throughout her early golf career, whilst she’s been climbing the rankings and making a name for herself on Tour, Engström has also been studying to complete her education.

“I only turned professional three years ago at the age of 16, which at such young age gave me little choice but to continue with my studies. However, I felt it was important to continue this process and ensure I have a life outside of golf. I bring my computer and books with me wherever I’ve had to travel for tournaments! I use any downtime to study and ensure my grades remain high. Of course, it’s difficult and sometimes hard to find the energy to do both, luckily though my school have been very understanding and I have been fortunate that a lot of my fellow pupils are athletes too, which is helpful.

“Being able to inspire other girls to pursue their dreams is very exciting. If that remains the case I want to keep working hard and improve my game in all areas, so that others watching me play in Dubai are excited by what I’ve been able to achieve at a young age and consider to take up the game themselves. We’re very lucky to play golf alongside so many other inspiring women and to be able to travel to places such as Dubai to compete makes us very fortunate. My advice to any young girls watching us play this November is to just keep playing the game and to have fun whilst doing so. If you enjoy what you are doing the results will come.”

Formerly known as the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters, the inaugural tournament was played in 2006, with a strong rollcall of previous winners, including two-time winner, Annika Sorenstam, and four-time champion, Shanshan Feng. Sorenstam won the first two events back to back in 2006 and 2007, while Chinese former world no.1, Feng, dominated from 2014-2016, winning the tournament three times in-a-row. 

The newly named and scheduled tournament has been switched from May to November after its first staging in spring 2019, when it achieved global recognition as the world’s first professional day-night tour event.

For more information on the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic, visit: https://www.OMEGAdubaimoonlightclassic.com/

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LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour: Women’s Major cancelled – Evian Championship will be back in 2021

The LPGA announced that The Evian Championship will be canceled this year. (Photo: Getty)

Due to ongoing travel/border restrictions and government quarantine requirements as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the LPGA Tour and The Evian Championship announced today that the tournament, scheduled for August 6-9, will not take place in 2020. The major championship will return to the LPGA Tour schedule in 2021 at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.

LPGA: Mike Whan looks forward into the next year

“I have been incredibly impressed by the entire team at The Evian Championship. They worked so hard to host this global event despite the obvious challenges,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “They know that high-pursed, career-changing events like The Evian are more important than ever, especially in an LPGA year that has been drastically reduced due to COVID-19. I know this was a tough decision for everyone involved, but it’s one that we had to take given the restrictions we faced.

“It is disappointing to miss a major championship but Evian’s strong history of showcasing the best female golfers will continue once again when we return in 2021. We look forward to being back on the mountain in Evian next year and for a long time to come.”

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LPGA Tour: Nasa Hataoka Recaps her Playoff Loss at The 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 20: Nasa Hataoka of Japan plays a shot on the sixth playoff hole during the continuation of the final round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando on January 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

LPGA Professional and three time winner on Tour Nasa Hataoka speaks with the media following her playoff loss to Gaby Lopez at the 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. Hataoka finished the tournament with a final score of -13 under par and in second place.

LPGA Tour: Nasa Hataoka speaks about coming up just short at The Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Q. What was this whole experience like? Were you feeling pressure? Were you ready to go? What was this like?
NASA HATAOKA: A lot of feelings, all the feelings, everything. Being so long and taking so much and just having this playoff, it’s a lot of feelings, yeah.

Q. Tell me about the first hole, the first playoff hole, when you were short and had that amazing chip up onto the green.
NASA HATAOKA: I’ve been practicing those shots all this time, so I just went for it.

Q. And then the second shot when you knew Gaby had made the birdie, what were the thoughts going through your mind as you stood over that putt?
NASA HATAOKA: I did feel the pressure when she made that birdie putt. I thought I was going to be able to make it. I was going to make it, but it was not a putt that a person who was thinking they were going to make it could do it.

Q. Tough putt?
NASA HATAOKA: Yeah.

Q. What do you take from this experience? A lot of pressure, a lot of feelings. What do you take from it to grow for the future?
NASA HATAOKA: As much as I thought with all the pressure and everything, I was able to play as usual. So I think for the future I would try to adjust myself for that, to not feel the pressure, just keep playing the way I always do.

Q. But this is still a great way for you to start your season. How do you move from here? Is this a good way to start your season?
NASA HATAOKA: Being a celebrity Pro-Am, I thought I was going to just enjoy it and have fun, but then being able to be in the final and do the playoff, that was a really good experience, and I think this would help me in the future. When the tournaments start to get harder and harder, it will be a good lesson for me.

January 20, 2019

Lake Bueno Vista, Florida

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports