Category: Tour News

Categories
Ladies European Tour

13 Major Champions to compete in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International next month

(Photo: Saudi Ladies International)
(Photo: Saudi Ladies International)

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund (PIF), has confirmed there will be a total of 13 major champions competing in the history-making event, with a prize purse of US$5million. Major winners include three-time major champion and last year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner In Gee Chun, multiple major champion Anna Nordqvist, world no. 7 Lexi Thompson and defending champion Georgia Hall. 

Other major champions who are competing at the event are:

  • Ashleigh Buhai (2022 AIG Women’s Open)
  • Patty Tavatanakit (2021 ANA Inspiration)
  • Kim A-Lim (2020 U.S. Women’s Open)
  • Hannah Green (2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship)
  • Jeong Eun Lee6 (2019 U.S. Women’s Open)
  • Danielle Kang (2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship)
  • Lydia Ko (2016 ANA Inspiration; 2015 Evian Championship) 
  • Hyo-Joo Kim (2014 Evian Championship)
  • Ji Eun-Hee (2009 U.S. Women’s Open)

These 13 major champions, who hold 18 major titles between them, are part of a star-studded field that is set to be the event’s strongest lineup, with more top stars set to be announced over the following weeks.

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF is the third stop in a record-breaking 2023 LET season, featuring 30 events across 21 countries with a total prize fund of €35million up for grabs.

The groundbreaking event made waves around the world last year following the announcement of its commitment to women’s golf through a prize purse boost to US$5million, which is the largest prize purse outside of the majors and matches the men’s event, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

World no. 8 In Gee Chun picked up the third major title of her career when she took home the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship title last year, winning by a stroke over Lexi Thompson and Minjee Lee. It was an impressive performance, especially in the tournament’s first round, as the South Korean put up an eight-under-64 score to equal the largest first-round major lead in women’s golf history.

She also performed well at the 2022 AIG Women’s Open, narrowly losing out on the title to Ashleigh Buhai – who will also be competing at the tournament – in a four-hole sudden-death playoff.

The 28-year-old secured her previous major title in 2016, winning the Evian Championship. She spectacularly captured the title, finishing with a score of 21-under-par, which is the lowest winning score recorded in a major tournament in golf. 

This will be the first time Chun will compete in Saudi Arabia, where she will hope to make a solid start to her 2023 season.  

“I’m excited to finally visit Saudi Arabia. I’m also looking forward to an event that is expected to elevate women’s golf in all parts of the global community. It will definitely be a great early season challenge with a very strong field competing.”

Another major winner and top-10 player competing at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF is America’s Lexi Thompson. The world no. 7 ended her three-year title drought by winning the LET’s Aramco Team Series individual title in New York. In addition to the win in her home country, the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship title holder also notched seven top-10 finishes in 2022.

As a player who has openly voiced her thoughts on equality in the game of golf, Thompson said: “Equal pay in golf has been something that all of us in the women’s game have wanted for so long, so seeing that huge prize purse increase at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF to match the men’s tournament was extremely heartening. For us, it’s always been about feeling equal and we are all focused on growing the game to leave in a much better place for future generation of female golfers.”  

Crowd favourite and defending Champion Georgia Hall is one of the many top players who are excited to make their return to the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, where she created many fond memories last year by winning the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF title.

The world no. 24 and 2018 Ricoh Women’s British Open winner added: “It was great to win early in the season last year and I hope to defend my title this year. I’m a fan of the place and enjoy playing on this course as it suits my game well. 

“Playing in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East gives me much confidence as I’ve done well in past competitions. The treatment we get during event week is absolutely top-notch and makes it much easier to put up great performances on the course for the fans.” 

On the prize purse boost, the 26-year-old added, “It’s a massive boost for the women’s game, and it also goes beyond golf as it’s what women in sport deserve. We are all thoroughly grateful to Golf Saudi for what it’s doing for women’s golf. 

“I’ve personally seen how the Aramco Team Series and Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF events have grown and developed every time I’m here, and I’m confident that it will continue on this path.”

Free tickets are now available for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF and can be secured by visiting www.golfsaudi.com, where you can also discover more tournament information.

Categories
LIV Golf News

LIV Golf League’s 2023 Schedule To Feature 14 Events In Seven Countries

(Photo: LIV Golf)
(Photo: LIV Golf)

The first official season of the groundbreaking LIV Golf League will feature 14 events in seven different countries showcasing some of the top championship courses in the world, including a return to five venues that hosted tournaments as part of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series. Centurion Club outside London, England (July 7-9), Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, New Jersey (August 11-13), Rich Harvest Farms outside Chicago, Illinois (September 22-24), Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida (October 20-22) and Royal Greens Golf & Country Club near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (November 3-5) will welcome back many of the sport’s biggest stars for the landmark season in the league’s official launch. In addition, fans in the U.S. will see LIV Golf’s innovative league at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida (March 31-April 2) and at Trump National Golf Club, Washington D.C. (May 26-28).

These seven venues, alongside the seven previously announced dates and locations complete the 2023 LIV Golf League schedule: Mayakoba’s El Camaleón Golf Course on Mexico’s Riviera Maya (February 24-26), The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona (March 17-19), The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia (April 21-23), The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore (April 28-30), Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma (May 12-14), Real Club Valderrama in Andalucía, Spain (June 30-July 2) and The Greenbrier in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia (August 4-6).

“We received tremendous feedback globally from fans throughout our beta-test year, with one resounding theme: LIV Golf’s team format, innovations, and festival-like events are delivering a one-of-a-kind golf experience,” said LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman. “Last year helped lay the foundation for the future of golf at extraordinary courses that have hosted some of the world’s top competitions. LIV Golf’s schedule features fantastic venues and championship sites for our official league launch that will carry the sport into a new era.” 

Along with hosting LIV Golf tournaments, these courses collectively have hosted more than 200 professional, collegiate and amateur events, including such prestigious tournaments as the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, Senior PGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open. Leading golf organizations and pro tours across the globe have utilized these venues, with many of the courses considered the best in their respective regions and states. Honors such as World’s 100 Greatest Courses, America’s 100 Greatest Courses, 100 Greatest Public Courses, Top 3 Best New Courses, Top 5 Best New Private Golf Courses, and Top 100 Golf Resorts have been bestowed in recent years. Three courses on the 2023 schedule (Real Club Valderrama, Sentosa Golf Club, Royal Greens Golf & Country Club) rank No. 1 in their respective countries. 

Information for tickets, hospitality packages and Pro-Am opportunities are available at LIVGolf.com. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets now, or register to be the first to hear when tickets are released, for LIV Golf’s festival-style three-day tournaments that feature shotgun starts, individual and team competitions, live music and fan activities for all ages.

LIV Golf’s star-studded, international field will feature many of the sport’s biggest names including major winners Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel. Final rosters for the LIV Golf League will be announced prior to the league launch, when 12 established team franchises will compete in the global 14-event schedule for an unprecedented $405 million in prize purses.

Consistent with the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series, the LIV Golf League will showcase its innovative new golf format featuring simultaneous team and individual play, with each season culminating in a Team Championship finale. The LIV Golf League will not compete with the Majors or international team events.

LIV Golf is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments, whose vision and mission are centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.  

(Text: LIV Golf)

Categories
DP World Tour

Ryan Fox wins the 2022 Seve Ballesteros Award 

Ryan Fox on his win at St Andrews. (Photo: Getty)
Ryan Fox on his win at St Andrews. (Photo: Getty)

Ryan Fox has won the 2022 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year for last season by his fellow professionals on the DP World Tour.

The 36-year-old becomes the first New Zealander to win the prestigious award since Michael Campbell received the honour in 2005, and it comes after an outstanding season during which he won twice and finished in a career-best second place on the DP World Tour Rankings presented by Rolex.

Fox polled 50% of the votes cast in total by the DP World Tour members, with DP World Tour Rankings winner Rory McIlroy taking second place ahead of the 2022 U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick in third.

The Kiwi was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons Javier and his daughter Carmen, both of whom travelled to this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour – a tournament won by Seve himself in 1992 – to officially welcome Fox to the illustrious list of winners. 

Consistently good performances in the 2022 season

Fox started 2022 in fine style, picking up his second DP World Tour title at the Ras al Khaimah Classic in February before an emotional victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews in October.

The 2016 Challenge Tour graduate dedicated his victory at the Home of Golf to the late cricketing great Shane Warne, whom he paired up with in the popular Pro-Am format on numerous occasions, including finishing runners-up together in the 2021 contest. 

In addition to his pair of victories, Fox showed remarkable consistency to notch up four second place finishes – at the Soudal Open, Dutch Open, Horizon Irish Open and the Nedbank Golf Challenge – as well as a further four top tens.  

His excellent form led to a meteoric rise up the Official World Golf Ranking as he climbed from outside the top 200 into the world’s top 50 for the first time, peaking at a career-best 23rd after his victory at the Old Course. 

The Player of the Year Award, named after the legendary Seve Ballesteros, last year amalgamated with the former Golfer of the Year award to become one singular honour voted for by the players, helping further commemorate the Spaniard’s incredible legacy.

Ryan Fox (center) next to Carmen and Javier Ballesteros. (Photo: Getty)

“It’s kind of surreal”

Fox said: “It’s probably not something that I expected ever in my career. I would like to say it’s something I dreamed of, but you look at those names on the trophy and I probably don’t count myself as one of those. That is pretty cool, and to have Javier and Carmen come out and present it made it even more special.  

“Last year I thought I had a chance but a few other guys played pretty well, Rory, Matt, Jon Rahm, especially at the end of the year.  So when Keith Pelley told me I was pretty shocked and obviously pretty chuffed as well. To have your peers vote for you makes it that extra bit special. 

“Obviously Dunhill Links was a big highlight for me last year, to win around the Home of Golf, it doesn’t really get any better. I shared the experience with Shane Warne for the previous four or five Dunhills that I played, and it was a bit sad without him there last year. To honour him that way made it even more special.

“Seve is such an icon of golf, and I’m a bit of a golf nut. I knew the history of Seve but probably didn’t quite understand then, growing up in New Zealand, quite the influence he had over here. It’s cool to hear the stories from some of the older guys that played with him, but to have my name on the Seve Ballesteros Award, it’s kind of surreal. It’s pretty cool to be part of a little bit of history in that regard.”

Javier Ballesteros: “He’s a fantastic guy”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “Ryan’s form throughout 2022 was nothing short of outstanding. His two wins were undoubtedly the highlight, but to record a further eight top tens shows a remarkable level of consistency that clearly impressed his peers.

“Ryan is not only an immensely popular member of the DP World Tour, but also someone who cares deeply for the Tour as is illustrated by the valuable work he does, and the intelligent opinions he offers, as a member of our Tournament Committee.

“I also want to say thank you to Javier and Carmen Ballesteros for making the effort to travel to Dubai to present the award to Ryan. It meant a lot to him and to every one of us at the DP World Tour to have them there to represent their father.” 

Javier Ballesteros said: “Well, I’m very happy that Ryan got the award. I think it’s important that Ryan got it with two wins, and of course he played a full season on the DP World Tour.  It left me very happy,  considering he’s a fantastic guy as well. 

“For me, it’s very important and we are very proud to have our father’s name on this award. It’s a prize that is given by the players and to have his name on the award, it’s a very good way to keep his legacy alive.”

(Text: DP World Tour)

Categories
DP World Tour

Hero Dubai Desert Classic: A thrilling contest with Rolex as Official Partner and Timekeeper

(Photo: Rolex)
(Photo: Rolex)

With the much-anticipated return of the 2023 Rolex Series, the attention of the golfing world will turn to the iconic Hero Dubai Desert Classic – the second Rolex Series event of the year. Celebrating its 34th edition, the 2023 tournament promises to be a thrilling contest with Rolex as Official Partner and Timekeeper.

Spanning more than 50 years, Rolex’s support for golf is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in sport. The Swiss watchmaker’s relationship with the game began in 1967 when Arnold Palmer, joined by close friends and fellow members of The Big Three, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, became Rolex’s first golf Testimonees. Since then, Rolex’s association with golf has grown exponentially, permeating all levels of the sport, providing unwavering support for elite and amateur players alike, governing bodies, all the Major championships and the main professional tours, as well as the finest events on the golfing calendar.

Founded in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic was the first DP World Tour event to be staged in the Arabian Peninsula. Rolex became Official Timekeeper of the DP World Tour in 1997 and the event became part of the prestigious Rolex Series – the tour’s premium event category – in 2022. It is renowned for having one of the strongest and most international fields, proving a tough competition for the world’s leading golfers.

The flagship Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, with its distinct backdrop of shimmering skyscrapers, once again hosts the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from 26-29 January. With the 2023 Ryder Cup on the horizon and qualifying spots to play for, the 2023 tournament presents a timely opportunity for players to find form early in the season.

2023 is set to welcome some of the biggest names in world golf and Rolex Testimonees have a proud history of success in Dubai. Those to have prevailed on the Majlis Course and lift the coveted Dallah Trophy include Fred Couples (1995), José María Olazábal (1998), Thomas Bjørn (2001), Tiger Woods (2006, 2008) and most recently, Rafa Cabrera Bello (2012). Fellow Spaniard and Rolex Testimonee Jon Rahm enjoyed an impressive finish to the 2022 season, which saw him claim a record third DP World Tour Championship title in Dubai at the nearby Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

Speaking about the Rolex Series, Rahm said: “I have been fortunate enough to win Rolex Series events pretty early on in my career. Given the prize money and strength of field at these events, they always demand an extremely high level of golf and performance. As a Rolex Testimonee, there is also added motivation because you want to make sure a Rolex Testimonee wins. Hopefully, the Rolex Series will continue for a very long time due to its prestige and the fact that it represents such key moments throughout the year for us players to focus on in the calendar.”

2023 also marks the return of the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and the sixth anniversary of the Rolex Series. The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the second of five Rolex Series events held throughout the year. The Series consists of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (19-22 January), the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Scottish Open (13-16 July), the BMW PGA Championship (14-17 September), and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (16-19 November).

(Text: Rolex)

Categories
PGA Tour Champions Tour News

“ Return of the Champions ”

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Trophy Association, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, are organizing the 47th Hassan II Golf Trophy and the 26th Lalla Meryem Cup at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat from February 6 to 11, 2023.

47th Hassan II Golf Trophy

Legendary golfers will be starting off this PGA Tour Champions edition of the tournament – a highly anticipated event that will surely bring back many memories for tournament fans who have followed the Hassan II Golf Trophy since its creation.

Indeed, since the Hassan II Golf Trophy began under the initiative of His Majesty the Late King Hassan II in 1971, the tournament has attracted players from the World Golf Hall of Fame, including Billy Casper, Bob Tosky, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Payne Stewart, Severiano Ballesteros, Vijay Singh, and Ernie Els, among other illustrious names. All of these world-class players have graced the fairways of the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. 

This edition will welcome 66 golf legends who have won a total of nearly 200 victories on the American PGA Tour, including three major tournaments. To the great delight of spectators, this year’s slate will feature former Hassan II Golf Trophy winners such as Colin Montgomerie (in 1997), David Toms (in 1999), Roger Chapman (in 2000), and Santiago Luna, the record-holder of wins (1998-2002-2003). Also present will be Bernhard Langer, José Maria Olazabal, Retief Goosen, and Tom Lehman, all former participants in the Hassan II Golf Trophy.

The Lalla Meryem Cup

The Lalla Meryem Cup, which is part of the Ladies European Tour (LET) will bring together, on the Blue Course, the European elite of women’s golf. Among the 96 players expected, a record number of national participants is expected, headed by Ines Laklalech , winner of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France in 2022 and qualified for the LPGA for 2023, Maha Haddioui, who has represented Morocco on two occasions at the Olympic Games and Malak Bouraeda, first Moroccan to qualify for the US Women’s Open.

These two competitions will take place simultaneously on the same site, perpetuating a tradition of diversity established in 1993 by His late Majesty King Hassan II, illustrious founder of both tournaments.

Young people are also honored. A junior competition in the pro- am format is planned on the Green Course with young golfers from the First Tee program and professional players. First Tee, very popular in the United States, is a non-profit organization created in 1997, which has made it possible to understand and respond to many problems that characterize society by teaching life skills through the practice of Golf.

This event will, as usual, be open to the general public free of charge. Entertainment on the courses and catering areas as well as a playground will guarantee a complete experience for all visitors to discover golf through practice and play.

The significant efforts made by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association for the success of these events attest to a desire to succeed and further promote the culture and practice of golf in Morocco.These competitions also reinforce the tourist attractiveness of the Kingdom as a golfing nation par excellence.

Categories
Challenge Tour

Challenge Tour announces 2023 global schedule

Challenge Tour schedule 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Challenge Tour schedule 2023. (Photo: Getty)

The European Challenge Tour today announced its global 2023 Road to Mallorca schedule, featuring a record overall prize fund and a minimum of 29 tournaments, staged across three continents in 18 different countries.

Players will compete for total prize money of €8,200,000 on the 2023 Road to Mallorca, which will begin with the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open in February, the first of four co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.

India returns as a host country for the first time since 2013 with two events in March, the Duncan Taylor Black Bull Challenge followed by The Challenge presented by KGA.

The Challenge Tour also returns to the United Arab Emirates in April for the first time since 2018 with back-to-back events, including the Abu Dhabi Challenge, as part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation.

The Challenge Tour will head to Spain in May for the Challenge de España, which will kick-start a run of 20 tournaments in 22 weeks and see the Road to Mallorca travel through 15 countries in Europe, including Italy for the Italian Challenge at Golf Nazionale, the venue which will then host the first two days of the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup in September.

The 2023 season will conclude with the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A, at Club de Golf Alcanada from November 2-5, as the top 45 players on the Rankings battle it out for one of the life changing 20 DP World Tour cards.

Those 20 players who benefit from this formal pathway to the DP World Tour will then be eligible for the DP World Tour’s Earnings Assurance Programme, guaranteeing them minimum earnings of $150,000 for the 2024 season if they play in 15 or more events.

The top five graduates will also benefit from the John Jacobs Bursary, similarly designed to provide security and a strong platform for their first season on the European Tour group’s top tier.

Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: “Our expansive global schedule gives our members the opportunity to play for a record total prize fund and benefit from our formal pathway to the DP World Tour, as we continue to provide an incredible platform for the next generation of golf’s superstars.

“I would like to thank the integral support of our promoters, national federations, and tournament sponsors, who have helped make this possible. The fact that 20 of our current national federations and promoters have extended their support through to next year is testament to their commitment and the strength of our Tour heading into 2023.

“We are also very grateful for the commitment of Rolex, The R&A, and DP World through their title partnership of the DP World Tour, all of whom have helped us to provide this comprehensive global schedule for some of the brightest talents in world golf.”

In 2022, 25 former Challenge Tour players won on the DP World Tour – including 2021 graduates Ewen Ferguson and Yannik Paul, while five finished inside the top ten on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex. Sean Crocker became the 200th former Challenge Tour player to win on the DP World Tour when he secured a wire-to-wire victory at the Hero Open, while the total number of wins by Challenge Tour alumni is now 544.

The full 2023 Road to Mallorca International Schedule can be viewed below or by clicking here.

Categories
DP World Tour

Keith Pelley named Chairman of the International Golf Federation

Keith Pelley. (Photo: Getty)
Keith Pelley. (Photo: Getty)

The IGF was founded in 1958 and is the recognised International Federation within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

Keith Pelley wants to present golf as a “sport for all”

Pelley said: “I am very honoured to accept this important and prestigious role and I look forward to working with Annika and Antony Scanlon, the IGF’s Executive Director, as well as the individual member Federations and Tours, to continue to develop our sport globally. 

“I have always said that I believe golf is the most inclusive of all sports and the IGF, through its relationships with these member organisations and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, undoubtedly has an important part to play in promoting this internationally and showcasing golf as a sport for all.”

Antony Scanlon, Executive Director of the IGF, said: “We are grateful for the leadership of Keith Pelley and Annika Sörenstam as we continue to encourage the international development of the sport of golf. 

“As two prominent members in the international golf landscape, Keith and Annika will bring extensive experience and knowledge to our overall strategy and we are thrilled to have them in these key roles. I also want to thank PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan for his tenure as the IGF Chairman and we’re delighted to have him continue on the Board moving forward.”

In August 2015, Pelley became the fourth Chief Executive in the 50 year history of the European Tour group, which incorporates the DP World Tour, the European Challenge Tour, the Legends Tour and the G4D Tour, and is the Managing Partner of the Ryder Cup in Europe.

During his time in the role, the Canadian has overseen a period of significant evolution through the European Tour group’s commitment to Driving Golf Further and its guiding principles of being innovative, inclusive and global.

This includes the introduction of the Rolex Series, a landmark partnership which saw DP World become the title partner of the group’s main Tour, and the creation of a global pathway system through partnerships with international Tours and an  operational joint venture with the PGA TOUR. The latter partnership also led to the Genesis Scottish Open becoming the historic first co-sanctioned event between the two Tours this summer. 

Pelley has also overseen a closer collaboration with the women’s game, including co-sanctioned events such as the Volvo Cars Scandinavian Mixed, and the introduction of the ground-breaking G4D Tour (Golf for the Disabled) in conjunction with the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), of which he is a Board member. 

Prior to joining the European Tour group, Pelley was President of Rogers Media in Toronto where he was responsible for leading the overall operations of the company’s diverse portfolio. Before that, he was Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning at CTVglobemedia, President of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club and President of The Sports Network in Canada.

Sörenstam, who has 97 worldwide professional victories during her prestigious playing career, was re-elected for a second two-year term as IGF President, which she’ll serve from 2023-2024.

During her 15-year, Hall-of-Fame playing career, Sörenstam rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf was played, viewed and covered. In 2007, she created the ANNIKA Foundation, which provides golf opportunities at the junior, collegiate and professional levels while teaching young people the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition.

(Text: DP World Tour)

Categories
DP World Tour

The DP World Tour and BMW Group sign five-year partnership extension

Bernard Kuhnt (left) and Guy Kinnings (right). (Photo: BMW Group)
Bernard Kuhnt (left) and Guy Kinnings (right). (Photo: BMW Group)

The DP World Tour and BMW Group have signed an extension to their partnership that will see the leading premium automotive brand BMW remain an Official Partner, and the Official Car, of the DP World Tour until the end of the 2027 season.

As part of the agreement, BMW will also remain as Title Partner until 2027 of both the BMW PGA Championship – a Rolex Series event – and the BMW International Open, where it will remain the promoter of the tournament.

This partnership extension cements BMW as one of the Tour’s longest standing partners. The relationship dates back to 1989, when BMW ran and promoted the first BMW International Open in its hometown of Munich. BMW then became Title Partner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2005.

BMW Group underpins position as global partner in golf

As an Official Tour Partner, BMW will benefit from highly visible branding and product placement at DP World Tour tournaments each season and across the Tour’s media and digital platforms. BMW will also enjoy access to the Tour’s premium hospitality services and Pro-Ams to create unique customer experiences. As Official Car of the DP World Tour, BMW will continue to supply its luxury high end and fully electric vehicles to the DP World Tour and make a valuable contribution to a sustainable tournament experience for players, staff and fans.

“The close collaboration with the European Tour group, which started back in 1989 with the inaugural BMW International Open, played an important role in the BMW Group becoming one of the most reliable and dedicated partners in international golf. We are delighted to continue along this successful path with the DP World Tour, and to bring innovative developments to both the sport and our events,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, Senior Vice President BMW Group Europe. “The BMW International Open and the BMW PGA Championship are tournaments that are very popular with golf fans and players alike, thanks to their long tradition and the excellent sporting and BMW brand experience. Based in two core markets in Europe, these events will form important pillars of our worldwide commitment to golf going forward.”

Guy Kinnings, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Commercial Officer of the European Tour group, added: “The BMW brand stands for luxury, innovation, and sportiness – all values that closely match our own and the Tour benefits significantly from partnering with such an iconic brand and respected partner of the game of golf. Over the last 33 years we have developed an extremely close working relationship that continues to drive strong value to BMW’s global engagement in sport. With this extended partnership, we will have ample opportunities to use the DP World Tour to showcase both their range of products and our collective leadership credentials in passion areas such as sustainability and technology innovation.

Together, we will also make sure that the BMW PGA Championship and BMW International Open keep innovating to elevate the fan experience and continue to be key moments on the sporting and entertainment calendars in Germany and the UK each year.” 

(Text: DP World Tour)

Categories
DP World Tour PGA Tour

DP World Tour, PGA Tour, Japan Golf Tour announce formal pathway

Top three JGTO finishers to receive DP World Tour membership
Top three JGTO finishers to receive DP World Tour membership

The DP World Tour and PGA TOUR jointly announced today a new landmark partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) that will see the top three players on the JGTO Order of Merit earn membership onto the DP World Tour for the ensuing season, beginning with the 2022-23 campaign.

The formal pathway further enhances the existing global pathway system, as the leading 10 players on DP World Tour’s Race To Dubai Rankings [in addition to those already exempt] will earn cards on the PGA TOUR, beginning with the 2024 season, as part of the operational joint venture partnership between the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour announced in June.

“We are delighted to establish this formal pathway” – Keith Pelley (CEO, DP World Tour)

In addition to these new formal pathways, which also includes access to DP World Tour Qualifying School for leading players not otherwise exempt, the JGTO will work alongside the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR on other key business areas, including strategic development and commercial growth, as well as further discussion about future areas of collaboration and support. Among those is a continued commitment to the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP, which is set to make its debut on the DP World Tour schedule next April 20-23, 2023, at PGM Ishioka GC in Omitama, Japan.
 
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, said, “The Japan Golf Tour Organization has produced many incredibly talented players over the years, and we are delighted to establish this formal pathway as part of golf’s meritocratic system, defining clear routes for players from the other international Tours to earn status on the DP World Tour and potentially go on to play on the PGA TOUR.
 
“There are players from 34 different countries exempt on the DP World Tour in 2023 and, alongside our first tournament in Japan next April, today’s announcement further underlines our position as golf’s global Tour.”

Monahan sees the PGA Tour as “game’s highest stage”

Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, said: “Japan has a long, storied history of producing world-class golf talent that deserves the opportunity to compete on the game’s highest stage, and today’s announcement is recognition of that. Over the past 30 years, 25 players have claimed at least one victory on both the PGA TOUR and Japan Golf Tour, including current Japan Golf Tour Chairman Isao Aoki, who in 1983 became the first Japanese-born player to win on the PGA TOUR when he holed out for eagle on the 72nd hole to win the Sony Open in Hawaii. His legacy continues today with eight-time JGTO winner Hideki Matsuyama and will now endure for years to come under this new pathway.”
 
Isao Aoki, Chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organization, said, “We are proud of the rich tradition the Japan men’s golf tour has established over the last 40 years, and this development is the next step in the journey of our organization. Our players have made significant contributions to the global game since our tour’s inception in 1973, and we are excited that the next class of Japanese players will soon be able to reap the rewards that their predecessors helped create for them. We are looking forward to working with both the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour on the next era of professional golf development in Japan.”

(Text: European Tour Group Communications)

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Tour News

DP World Tour: G4D Tour announces expanded 2023 schedule

Sweden's Rasmus Lia won his first title at the season finale in Dubai. (Photo: Getty)
Sweden's Rasmus Lia won his first title at the season finale in Dubai. (Photo: Getty)

Launched in 2022 with an initial seven-event schedule, the G4D Tour sees the world’s best golfers with a disability compete on the same course, the same week, as professionals on the DP World Tour.

The 2023 season will see additional uplifts to the G4D Tour, including the introduction of a season-long Order of Merit to crown the Number One player.

2023 G4D Tour schedule

Dec 2-4, 2022Australian All Abilities Championship @ ISPS HANDA Australian OpenVictoria Golf Club, Australia
Jan 13-14, 2023G4D Tour @ Hero CupAbu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi
Feb 6-7, 2023G4D Tour @ Singapore ClassicLaguna National Golf Resort Club, Singapore
TBCEvent TBCTBC
Jun 5-6, 2023G4D Tour @ Volvo Car Scandinavian MixedUllna Golf & Country Club, Sweden
Jun 26-27, 2023G4D Tour @ Betfred British MastersThe Belfry,
England
Aug 14-16, 2023G4D Tour @ ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by AVIV ClinicsGalgorm Castle Golf Club, Northern Ireland
Sep 11-12, 2023G4D Tour @ BMW PGA Championship, a Rolex Series EventWentworth Club,
England
Nov 10-11, 2023G4D Tour @ DP World Tour Championship, a Rolex Series EventJumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai

Each G4D Tour event is open to amateurs and professionals players of all eligible impairments, men and women. For 2023, players will be able to qualify from both their ranking on the gross division of the World Ranking for Golfers with a Disability (WR4GD) and events on the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) Tour, ensuring an international pathway to reach the G4D Tour. The European Tour group pays the expenses of players as they travel around the world, to ensure that the Tour is open to all players regardless of their financial circumstances.

To be eligible, all players must have a World Ranking for Golfers with a Disability and an EDGA Player Pass. Since the G4D Tour launched earlier this year, applications for a World Ranking and Player Pass have reached record levels, with 20% of all passes secured in 2022 alone – showing the impact the G4D Tour is having on raising awareness and increasing participation. The DP World Tour will continue to utilise its social media channels, and relationships with global broadcasters, to showcase the G4D Tour on a range of media platforms throughout the 2023 season.

This year’s inaugural season, which had its finale at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, saw England’s Kipp Popert win four G4D Tour titles and regain his position as World Number One on the WR4GD. The other tournament winners were England’s Mike Browne, Italy’s Tommaso Perrino and Sweden’s Rasmus Lia. Players from ten different nationalities competed, showing the international reach of the Tour.

The Australian All Abilities Championship, starting on Friday December 2, will be the first event of the 2023 G4D Tour season, with World Number One Popert leading the field of 12 competitors teeing it up at Victoria Golf Club. The Australian All Abilities Championship forms part of a festival of golf on Australia’s world-renowned sandbelt, taking place concurrently with the ISPS HANDA Australian men’s and women’s Opens.

“Tremendous success”

The tournament will be played across three rounds at Victoria Golf Club, with World Number Two Brendan Lawlor and Spaniard Juan Postigo Arce, ranked fourth on the WR4GD also competing. World Number 12 Geoff Nicholas leads the home charge, having made history in 2019 as the first amputee golfer to qualify for The Senior Open presented by Rolex at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Speaking about the enhanced 2023 schedule Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour group, said: “The G4D Tour has been a tremendous success since it launched earlier this year. We have seen unprecedented numbers of golfers with a disability enquire about playing on the Tour and getting a World Ranking, thanks to the ability for these inspirational players to play Tour level courses next to the best players on the DP World Tour.

“We have developed a very close relationship with EDGA and the European Tour group will continue to support the association in its focus on developing capacity within the golf industry, through a variety of education and development activities. I firmly believe that golf has the potential to be the most inclusive sport in the world and the G4D Tour is a major step in realising this ambition.”

Tony Bennett, President of EDGA, added: “The G4D Tour is the visible manifestation of EDGA’s development of golf for the disabled – a process that started 22 years ago. Since our first collaboration with the European Tour group and DP World Tour, there has been exponential growth at all levels. The G4D Tour has created greater awareness and resulted in a cascade effect with more tournaments at every level, more national federations building accessible activities, and of course, more grassroots programmes than ever before. The support that the European Tour group and DP World Tour provide to EDGA helps make all of this possible.”

(Text: Press release DP World Tour)