Category: Ladies Tours

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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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Ladies Tours

Michelle Wie West Named Assistant Captain for 2021 USA Solheim Cup Team

Michelle Wie West is named for the second assistant captain at the Solheim Cup 2021. (Photo: Getty)

Wie West will join the previously announced Angela Stanford to work alongside Hurst when Team USA faces off with Team Europe at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, on Sept. 4-6.

“Naming Michelle as an assistant captain was an incredibly easy decision for me,” said Hurst. “She reached out to see if she could be involved with the team, and I quickly knew that I wanted her as one of my assistants. She’s out there playing with the younger players, and since I’ve been off the Tour for a while, that’s a crucial asset for me to have, first with Angela and now with Michelle. I can’t wait to work with this team as we look forward to our week at Inverness Club next year.”

Solheim Cup: Wie West naming for assistant captain

“When I heard that Pat had been named the captain for Team USA, I immediately knew that I had to be part of her team,” said Wie West. “Pat was my POD leader when we played in Germany and Iowa and I learned so much from her leadership and friendship. Those weeks were great opportunities to learn from one of the best players and coaches I know, and to work alongside her is going to be an amazing experience.” 

Wie has been a member of the LPGA Tour since 2009. She has five LPGA Tour victories, including a major title at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. She has competed in five Solheim Cups, representing the USA in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. She went an undefeated 3-0-1 in her Solheim Cup debut in 2009, when she became just the second LPGA Tour rookie in history to play on Team USA. Wie West also represented the USA at the 2018 UL International Crown.

Five-time Solheim Cup participant

“My five times playing for Team USA at the Solheim Cup and wearing the Red, White and Blue – those are incredible highlight moments in my career,” said Wie West. “This next step as an assistant captain is going to be yet another highlight moment, and I’m so grateful to Pat for giving me this opportunity. Our week in Toledo next year is going to be an absolute blast.”

Prior to joining the LPGA Tour, Wie West enjoyed a standout amateur career that saw her capture the 2003 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship at age 13. The same year, she became the youngest amateur to make the cut at an LPGA Tour event when she reached the weekend at the ANA Inspiration, a record that still stands. 

Wie West is a 2012 graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Communications, earning her degree while playing full-time on the LPGA Tour. She recently joined Hurst as one of the #LPGAMoms on Tour, giving birth to daughter Makenna on June 19, 2020.

(Text: LPGA)

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Ladies Tours

Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Resume with Individual Athlete Approach

The Rolex Ranking will will resume with changes. (Photo: Getty)

The Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings (WWGR) Board of Directors today announced a plan to resume the rankings with a temporary modification which focuses on the individual athlete and the weeks when she competes.

The Rankings were paused the week of March 16, 2020, as professional women’s golf remained inactive due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No WWGR affiliated Tours competed until the week of May 11, at which time the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) resumed tournament play. Since the week of May 11, the KLPGA has completed seven WWGR tournaments, with the Ladies Professional Golf Association of Japan (JLPGA) completing one. 

New modification for rankings


With the modification, on a week an athlete competes, her individual points, average points and divisors will continue to change and age based on her performance and her overall position on the Rankings will be reflected based on that performance. 

On a week when an athlete does not compete, her individual points, average points and divisors will not change or age. However, her overall position on the Rankings could shift based on the performance of other athletes who are competing.
 

“Fair solution for the athletes”

“The WWGR Board was keen to find a solution that was as fair as possible for the majority of athletes whether competing or not during this unprecedented time. As a level of uncertainty around Member Tours’ tournament schedules continues, focusing on the individual athlete and the weeks she competes made the most sense.” said Executive Director of the WWGR Board, Heather Daly-Donofrio. “While the Board understands there is no perfect solution in these challenging times, we believe we landed on an approach that is reasonable for athletes and also protects the integrity of the ranking system.”

This individual athlete approach will begin retroactively with the week of May 11 (with a published ranking date of May 18). Rankings for an athlete will continue to be computed on a 104-week rolling period, but that 104-week rolling period will differ based on how much an athlete plays while the modification is in place. Weeks when an athlete does not compete will not count towards her individual 104-week rolling period.

Weeks between March 16 through May 11, when there was no tournament play, will not be factored into the 104-week rolling period for any athlete on the Rankings. The WWGR will be run in chronological order backdating to the start of the KLPGA schedule. Rankings for each week thereafter will be published but only recalculated on weeks where at least one Ranking tournament was completed.

During this approach, weeks of non-play for any individual athlete that happened during the pause will continue to be omitted until the player has a full 104-week period of Rankings tournament play. 

The Rankings will revert to its historical approach of running Rankings each week regardless of tournament or athlete play in due time. The WWGR will continue to monitor when this will happen based on the restart of its Member Tours and the participation of the top 200 athletes on the Rankings.

(Text: WWGR)

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Ladies European Tour

LET reveals brand refresh pushing towards the future

The new logo of the Ladies European Tour. (Photo: Twitter.com/LETgolf)
The new logo of the Ladies European Tour. (Photo: Twitter.com/LETgolf)

The Ladies European Tour (LET) has launched a fresh logo, new website and tag line, Raise Our Game, capturing the ambition of the new LPGA-LET joint venture partnership and a shared desire to keep moving women’s golf forward.

The brand refresh includes a short film created in-house, capturing the passion and potential of the LET players, celebrating their hard work, dedication and perseverance. 

Narrated by Solheim Cup star Suzann Pettersen and with a script written by multiple LET champion Meghan MacLaren, it focuses on the hard work and determination it takes to achieve goals, inspiring women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf.

Talented writer Meghan MacLaren, who wrote the script, said: “I loved working on this project and it was great to play an active role in the new direction of our Tour. This is an exciting time for the LET and for women’s golf and to see the growth potential as we look ahead to the future for the next is very fulfilling. I’ve always worked hard to raise my game and I’m proud to be a Member of a Tour which gives us the opportunity to raise our game further.”

Meghan’s script focuses on the fierce commitment required to compete at the highest level and highlights the importance of the friends, family and wider community of tournament promoters, sponsors and media who together lay the path to drive women’s golf forward: 

It starts with something we can’t define.  

It’s a dream, but we’re too young to know what it is, where it might take us.

Our family, coaches, friends… they know. On cold winter mornings and warm summer nights, they help us shape it into something we believe in.

Sometimes we lose it. Sometimes we stop believing. Sometimes we wonder if it’s all really worth it… but we don’t stop.

Because in every new city that embraces us and every new partner who invests in us, on every Monday that promises and every Thursday that threatens to take away – we have a chance to find it again. A chance to believe again. A chance to make each moment our own.

But it’s yours too, because you’re there by our side, guiding the way. You helped create it.

So it’s time to believe, in all of our dreams.

Together, let’s raise our game.

Suzann Pettersen, one of the most iconic European golfers of all time, who holed the winning putt at the 2019 Solheim Cup, said: “I wouldn’t be where I am without the LET and I’m excited about the next chapter of the Tour’s history as it looks to provide even more opportunities for women and girls in the game. I’m thrilled to narrate this inspirational video, re-branding the new LET. The future is bright for the LET and its Members.”  

LET Chief Executive Alexandra Armas said: “This brand refresh expresses our excitement about the LET and its future, how passionate and proud we all are to represent this strong new brand and that we are in this journey together with our partners, determined to create greater opportunities for the women who play golf today and for the ones that will follow in the future.

“It has been an unprecedented and eventful start to the new decade. In January, we announced a record-breaking schedule and we were extremely excited about the 2020 season. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a challenging time for us of late, but we are now focused on the long term.

“This is not only the time to preserve tournaments in 2020 but to build the future that we’re so excited about moving forward for women’s golf. 2020 is a building block to a bigger and better 2021, 2022 and beyond. Together, let’s do all we can to raise our game.”

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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

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

Categories
Ladies Tours

LPGA Tour: Gaby Lopez Recaps 7th Hole Playoff Victory at The Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 20: Gaby Lopez of Mexico poses with the trophy after winning 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 Gaby Lopez speaks to the media following her victory at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, coming on the 7th playoff hole during a Monday finish. Lopez bested Nasa Hataoka and Inbee Park in the playoff with a final score of -13 under par.

LPGA Tour: Gaby Lopez speaks with media following the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Q. What makes this win so special today?
GABY LOPEZ: Today I was thinking thinking of my first win, and I dedicated my first win to my granddad that passed away a month before my first win. Yesterday I called my dad that I wanted to have my grandmom with him and my family this morning so she could see me dedicate this win to her.

Q. Was she watching TV?
GABY LOPEZ: She was watching the TV. I just FaceTimed them, and she was there, and I was like, my first win was for my granddad, and this one goes for you.

Q. What’s her name?
GABY LOPEZ: Vania.

Q. And what’s your granddad’s name?
GABY LOPEZ: Jose.

Q. What did you hit here?
GABY LOPEZ: I hit a 3 hybrid.

Q. Was that what you were hitting yesterday, or did you have to change?
GABY LOPEZ: Yesterday was really funny. The last round, when I first made birdie, it was into the wind, so I had a perfect 3 hybrid. In the playoffs, it was coming downwind, so I had to switch to my 4 hybrid. I wasn’t very sure if I needed a 3 hybrid or a 4 hybrid. I was switching all the time on those six holes that we were playing.

This morning, my coach, my caddie, and I were on the TrackMan, and we were looking at numbers because it’s freezing right now. So we just took the number, and we knew it was downwind, but it was a perfect 3 hybrid.

Q. Saluting the grounds crew, is that something you got from Lorena? She used to do that all the time.
GABY LOPEZ: Yes, Lorena started this tradition, and I think that was the most important thing from her. She was No. 1 on the golf course, but she was so humble, and she was being able to take the time to sit down with all the gardeners, the Mexican gardeners that we don’t get to see, and they’re here since 4:00 in the morning, and they leave at 9:00 p.m.

I think they need more recognition than we actually give them.

Q. And wearing Mexico’s colors on Sunday, winning in them today, just tell us about that.
GABY LOPEZ: Yes, since I’m a little kid, I got in love — in golf, I got in love with representing Mexico outside of Mexico in the U.S. It was always team events, and we were always wearing red, white, and green. I don’t know, it was something that comes with me since I’m a little kid. I’m extremely proud to represent Mexico, especially because we have now two Mexicans on the Tour. For a long time, it was Lorena only, and then it was Violeta Retamoza, and now it was only me. This year Maria came with me on Tour.

So I’m just hoping that it’s not only us two. I’m really hoping that a good ten Mexican girls can jump in the LPGA, and we can all travel together and achieve our dreams together.

Q. You’ve played this hole seven times now, eight if we count the regulation. Are you glad that you’re not seeing this hole anymore, or because you have half the birdies on this hole, it’s not so bad?
GABY LOPEZ: No, I really like it. I have lots of respect for this golf course. It plays extremely difficult when it’s windy and especially when it’s cold. I don’t know, I just feel like being able to feel comfortable here since last year. Last year I was playing great until the last nine holes. I came in fifth, and I ended up top ten, and it was my first top ten of the year. Those memories were positive to me.

To me this year, I’ve changed a lot of things on my swing. I’ve changed a lot of things on my stroke. I’ve changed a lot of things. To be honest, coming into this week, I had no idea if I was going to play well. I wasn’t hitting the ball great in Mexico. It was funky. It was all over the place. I had discussions with my coach if I really needed a change on my swing, but I did because I went to the hospital to get a neck thing.

So, yeah, being able to kind of trust the process and trust in him and being able to believe in myself and in my team, my caddie, I mean, it just takes a team effort. My family in Mexico, they’re a huge part of my team.

Q. To get up this early and the weather changing so drastically, how tough was it to get here and get on the range?
GABY LOPEZ: It was tough to sleep. I mean, yesterday it was calm. It was easy for me to play the six holes in the playoff, or five, but this — I mean, last night was hard. I could not sleep. I was meditating. I was listening to music. I was trying to stay calm.

So as soon as the alarm hit the clock, I’m like, okay, let’s go. Let’s roll. I got here at 6:00 a.m., and I started my warmup like it was a normal day. I needed to get in the routine that I was going to play 18 holes. That was my mindset. I don’t know how many it’s going to take us to make a birdie here. I just asked Dan, I mean, are we going to move from the hole? It’s hard to make birdie here. He said, no, we’re sticking here. So I’m like okay.

So my goal was to hit the green every time I teed up. And I knew — I knew one was going to drop because I’ve been hitting that putt every single time. I guess the seventh time’s the charm.

Q. How did that compare to the putt you had on the last hole in regulation?
GABY LOPEZ: To the last putt?

Q. Yeah, you had the birdie on your final hole to get into the playoff. How were they compared?
Q. Different spots on the green, right?
GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, different spots. I was above the hole on that one. That was actually — when I had that putt, I used to talk with my coach in Arkansas that, if you ever have a putt you want to make, you want it to be downhill because you just need to hit the right line. I mean, you just hit it, and the slope is going to take all the work. So, yeah, as soon as I had the putt, I remember Shauna telling me, hey, we want this, we want this, embrace it.

I’m just happy to be able to pull off the shots under pressure that I needed to.

Q. How long was that putt in regulation? In the final hole, your final 72 holes.
GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, that was 17 feet, downhill.

January 20, 2020

Lake Bueno Vista, Florida

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports