Tag: live-ladies-tours

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Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2024: New points system and return to even years

The 2024 Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. (Photo: Getty)
The 2024 Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. (Photo: Getty)

The LPGA announced today that the 2024 Solheim Cup will be held Sept. 10-15 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va. The 2024 Solheim Cup, the 19th playing of the international team competition, will bring together the best female golfers from the United States and Europe, just outside the nation’s capital, for a celebration of athleticism and patriotism.

LPGA Tour: “We are looking forward to an unforgettable event”.

“We are so excited to finally share the official dates of the 2024 Solheim Cup, marking another step closer to bringing this incredible competition to life,” said Lindsay Allen, Executive Director of the 2024 Solheim Cup. “Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and the greater Northern Virginia area are already serving as gracious hosts for the Solheim Cup, providing the setting for what will undoubtedly be a can’t-miss event for sports fans around the world.”

New qualification system for Team USA

Points for the 2024 United States Team will start accruing at the 2023 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. In a new structure to the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings, players finishing in the top 40 at official LPGA Tour competitions will earn points, with those points doubled at the five major championships. In the Solheim Cup year, all points values will increase by 50%.

At the end of the 2024 qualification period, the top seven players in the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings will be named to the team. They will be joined by the top two players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings not already qualified and three captain’s picks.

“After taking an in-depth look at the history of the U.S. Solheim Cup qualifying process, we feel this new points structure will provide the most comprehensive picture of the American talent working toward representing their country,” said Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana, Senior Vice President of Tour Operations.

The 2023 U.S. Team will be built using the previous point structure, with points earned for top-20 finishes, points for the majors doubled, and points increasing by 50% in the Solheim Cup year. The U.S. Team qualification period will end following the 2023 CP Women’s Open.  

Solheim Cup returns to even year numbers

2024 will mark the Solheim Cup’s return to an even-year rotation, opposite the Ryder Cup, and for just the second time in history, it will be held in consecutive years, along with 2002 and 2003. The 2023 Solheim Cup will be held at Finca Cortesin in Spain on Sept. 22-24, with Stacy Lewis serving as captain for Team USA and Suzann Pettersen serving as captain for Team Europe.

Information on tickets and sales packages for the 2024 Solheim Cup will be available in early 2023.

Categories
LPGA Tour

2022 Pelican Championship shortendes to 54 holes

The LPGA Tour shortens the Pelican Women's Championship by one round. (Photo: Getty)
The LPGA Tour shortens the Pelican Women's Championship by one round. (Photo: Getty)

After meeting with senior LPGA and tournament leadership and in consultation with our on-site meteorologist, Pelican Golf Club will be closed on Thursday due to Tropical Storm Nicole. Due to the chance of a delay in Friday’s start of play, the LPGA has made the decision to shorten the Pelican Women’s Championship to 54 holes.

Forecasts call for 1-3 inches of rain and strong winds, with gusts up to 50 MPH. Local authorities have closed schools and may need to close bridges, which would affect access to the course. Due to the high winds, it is not safe to have players, caddies, fans, volunteers and staff on site.

The first round of the Pelican Women’s Championship will begin no earlier than Friday at 6:55 a.m. Friday morning’s forecast from our on-site meteorologist, who is constantly monitoring the latest data, includes a chance of a lingering thunderstorm. The Friday forecast is thankfully trending in a positive direction, and we will share additional information with you as soon as we can.

With a full field and limited daylight, we feel this decision provides the fairest test to the entire field. All services at Pelican Golf Club will be closed on Thursday, including dining, the gym and all practice facilities. We will have an update on Friday’s start of play on Thursday afternoon.

NELLY KORDA READY TO DEFEND TITLE AFTER ROCKIEST PATCH OF PLAY THIS SEASON

After taking five weeks off from LPGA Tour competition, NellyKorda will defend her title at the Pelican Women’s Championship presented by Konica Minolta and Raymond James and make what she hopes will be a triumphant return. However, Korda would prefer to win in a different fashion than last year, when she survived a four-person playoff against majorchampions Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson and Sei Young Kim.

“Last year it was definitely a very interesting finish. I think I tripled 17 and then I birdied 18 to get into the playoff, and then I birdied my first hole in the playoff. So, yeah, didn’t make it very easy for myself,” laughed Korda, who birdied the first playoff hole in 2021 to take home the title. “I definitely lost a couple years off my life with the stress that I caused. Other than that, amazing memories coming back here. Hopefully I can make some really good ones this year.”

Korda’s victory at Pelican Golf Club is her most recent win on Tour, and the event was one of the last she played before she suffered a blood clot in her left arm in February of 2022, which forced her to spend nearly four months away from the game. She returned to the Tour in June in resounding fashion, earning five top-10 finishes in 10 events since coming back. But it all hasn’t been smooth sailing.  

“I would recap (this season) in it was a rollercoaster. There was definitely a lot of ups, a lot of downs,” Korda said. “I played some solid golf since coming back, but I’ve also overdone it and also played some poor golf. So, definitely a learning year, more about myself, more about my body.”

Korda missed the cut in her two most recent LPGA starts, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G and The Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America, the first of which marked the first time she missed playing the weekend since June of 2021. The seven-time Tour winner has only missed one cut in each of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons. Luckily, Korda says it isn’t an injury that has contributed to her lackluster play as of late, but rather an overly competitive desire to make up for lost time.

“I think I missed so much of the year that I kind of wanted to make it all up in a sense,” she said. “I think I came back at the time that I needed to, or that was acceptable. The only thing that I may have made a mistake in is then trying to catch up and just being on the road too much and not taking a breather and stepping back and being fresh.”

Text: LPGA Tour

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Ladies European Tour

Hall and Cowan excited to play in Jeddah as 2022 Aramco Team Series reaches conclusion

Georgia Hall and Olivia Cowan on the European Tour. (Photo: Ladies European Tour)
Georgia Hall and Olivia Cowan on the European Tour. (Photo: Ladies European Tour)

Star female golfers Georgia Hall and Olivia Cowan are in confident mood and excited to tee it up at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club this week in the final Aramco Team Series event of the year.
Hall returns to Jeddah following incredible recent success in King Abdullah Economic City after winning the Aramco Saudi Ladies International here in March, while Olivia Cowan is in the form of her career after winning her first Ladies European Tour title in the Hero Women’s Indian Open, two weeks ago.
Both are relishing the opportunity to be back in Saudi Arabia this week with Hall commenting: “I love coming back here. I really like this golf course; it is one of my favourites to play in my season and it is always in great condition. The weather is always good, and the wind can get up quite a bit in the afternoons which makes the course have a linksy feel which I really enjoy.
“There are some tough holes out there, but I can also reach pretty much every par 5 which is nice so that gives me some really good eagle opportunities and the chance to try and shoot some low rounds. Every time we come here as players, we also get really well looked after, so it’s just a really fun week.”

Olivia Cowan and Georgia Hall: “We are thrilled to be playing here”

Cowan echoed the sentiments of Hall and added: “I feel really confident about my game at the moment coming off the back of that first win in India. I’m just really looking forward to playing this course, I really love playing it and being back here in Jeddah. It’s challenging and fun to play in, and the team event makes it a bit more relaxing. I just love coming back here and can’t wait for the week to get going.”
The tournament draft took place last night where the teams for this week’s event were selected. Each of the 36 Captains have one individual pick, before they are allocated a random player at the draft, with the team element of the tournament being decided after day two of the event. Individual player scores are then carried over to the final day as an individual winner is crowned.
Hall will be joined in her team by young compatriot, Lily May Humphreys, as well as French golfer Anais Meyssonnier. Cowan used her pick to select young English star, Cara Gainer, while Team Cowan will be completed by another English player in Rachael Goodall.
Other standout teams are Team Charley Hull with the highest ranked player in the field, Hull, selecting Isabella Deilert, and being allocated Moroccan star Maha Haddioui, while Team Alison Lee will be completed by Camilla Lennarth and Diksha Dagar.
Defending individual champion Pia Babnik will be joined by Kristyna Napoleaova and Lauren Taylor for the first two days of competition as she looks to start her title defence in the best way. All teams will be completed by a championship amateur which differentiates the Aramco Team Series as unique and innovative and both Hall and Cowan believe golf’s global series as been an extremely welcome addition to the Ladies European Tour schedule.
Hall commented: “It is fantastic to get this support from Aramco and Golf Saudi and having the five events on the calendar of the Ladies European Tour has really boosted the Tour. I know speaking to a lot of players, they are really grateful for that support. “All the players just really enjoy coming to these events, it’s something different and just brings a different aspect to the game.”
Cowan emphasised Hall’s opinion adding: “The set up and everything they do for the players is amazing. The weeks are set up like a major and the Aramco Team Series puts a lot of effort into the event and looking after the players for the week. We really appreciate that and hope other companies continue to show the same support for growing women’s golf.”

This week’s tournament takes place at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club from 10-12 November with tickets available free of charge. To secure tickets please visit aramcoteamseries.com and follow the event on social media @aramco_series.

Text: Ladies European Tour

Categories
Ladies Tours

Atthaya Thitikul Becomes No. 1 in Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings

Atthaya Thitikul on the LPGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Atthaya Thitikul on the LPGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)

For the first time in her career, Atthaya Thitikul has reached No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as of the latest Rankings update. She becomes the 16th different player to reach No. 1 as well as the second player from Thailand to sit atop the Rolex Rankings following Ariya Jutanugarn, who was No. 1 for 23 total weeks between June 2017 and March 2019. Thitikul is also the second player to reach the No. 1 ranking in her LPGA Tour rookie year, after Sung Hyun Park in November 2017.

Rolex Ranking: Jin Young Ko must relinquish top position

Thitikul moved one spot on the Rolex Rankings to World No. 1, passing Jin Young Ko, who has held the top spot since Jan. 31, 2022. Ko first became World No. 1 in April 2019 and has spent 152 total weeks atop the Rankings, six weeks shy of Lorena Ochoa’s record 158 weeks at the No. 1 position.

Thitikul is only the second player under age 20 to reach No. 1 at 19 years, 8 months and 11 days, joining Lydia Ko. Ko was 17 years, 9 months and 9 days when she first reached No. 1 in February 2015, and 18 years, 6 months and 2 days the second time she ascended to the top spot of the Rolex Rankings in October 2015.

Atthaya Thitikul: “It is a great honor”

“It means a lot for my team, my family, my supporters and myself. It is such an honor to have my name at the top amongst the biggest names of the game,” said Thitikul. “It is very special to get to the top but it is much harder to retain it. I still have a lot to learn from all the legends and current players both on and off the course. I will continue to work hard for my family, my team, my fans and my country.”

Thitikul has two victories so far in 2022, becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner at the JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol and adding another win at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Along with her wins, Thitikul has recorded 12 additional top-10 finishes this season, including three at major championships. She currently leads in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings with 1,487 points, is third in scoring average on Tour (69.432) and fourth in the race to become Rolex Player of the Year (129 points). Thitikul also ranks first on Tour in birdies (375), second in rounds in the 60s (44) and tied for fourth in number of eagles (11).

The successful step onto the LPGA Tour

Prior to joining the LPGA Tour, Thitikul became the youngest player ever to win the Ladies European Tour’s Race to Costa del Sol in 2021 while also securing Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors. At 14 years, 4 months and 19 days, Thitikul also became the youngest golfer to ever win a professional golf tournament with her victory at the LET’s Thailand Championship in 2017.

Text: LPGA Tour

Categories
LPGA Tour

Four Events Remain in 2022 LPGA Tour Schedule

The BMW Ladies Championship is going to be at the Oak Valley Country Club in the Republic of Korea. (Foto: Twitter/@LPGA)
The BMW Ladies Championship is going to be at the Oak Valley Country Club in the Republic of Korea. (Foto: Twitter/@LPGA)

Four events remain in the 2022 LPGA Tour schedule, including the third edition of the BMW Ladies Championship this week in the Republic of Korea at Oak Valley Country Club.

Rolex Player of the Year

A quick look at the standings of the season-ending awards and races: There are 18 players who have a mathematical chance of winning the Rolex Player of the Year award. Of the top four in contention, Minjee Lee, Brooke Henderson or Atthaya Thitikul would earn their first Player of the Year honors if they were to win by the end of 2022. Lydia Ko would earn her second POTY award; she won in 2015 with 280 points Ko would be the 16th player since 1966 to earn the award at least twice in her LPGA Tour career.

1Minjee Lee*149 points
2Brooke Henderson130 points
3Atthaya Thitikul*124 points
4Lydia Ko*120 points
*In the BMW Ladies Championship field

Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year

Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors is mathematically down to Atthaya Thitikul and Hye-Jin Choi, which Choi only trailing by 243 points. If she were to win by the end of 2022, Thitikul would become the second consecutive player from Thailand to earn the honors, following Patty Tavatankit, who clinched Rookie of the Year following the 2021 BMW Ladies Championship. She would also become the third player from Thailand to win, along with Tavatanakit and Moriya Jutanugarn (2013).

1Atthaya Thitikul*1,425 points23 events
2Hye-Jin Choi*1,182 points24 events
*In the BMW Ladies Championship field

Vare Trophy

Lydia Ko currently leads in the hunt for the Vare Trophy. Minjee Lee would need an average strokes per round of 68.389 in her remaining events to pass Ko’s current average. Atthaya Thitikul would need an average round score of 67.158 to contend If she were to win by the end of 2022, Ko could become the first back-to-back winner of the award since Stacy Lewis in 2013 and 2014. Ko would also become the 15th multiple winner of the Vare Trophy since 1953 The average winner’s scoring average since its inception in 1953 is 71.35451. Annika Sorenstam holds the record for the lowest scoring average – 68.70 – in 2002.

1Lydia Ko*69.17674 rounds
2Minjee Lee*69.33360 rounds
3Xiyu Lin69.43982 rounds
4Atthaya Thitikul*69.46484 rounds
5Brooke Henderson69.47971 rounds
*In the BMW Ladies Championship field

Official Money List

1Minjee Lee*$3,742,44017 events
2In Gee Chun$2,603,12817 events
3Brooke Henderson$2,307,58420 events
4Lydia Ko*$2,047,06219 events
5Atthaya Thitikul*$2,005,94523 events
*In the BMW Ladies Championship field

(Text: Megan McGuire)

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Ladies European Tour: Lexi Thompson triumphs after holding off Brooke Henderson and Nelly Korda

Lexi Thompson triumphs in New York. (Photo: Aramco Team Series)
Lexi Thompson triumphs in New York. (Photo: Aramco Team Series)

New York, (October 15, 2022): American star Lexi Thompson is back in the winner’s circle after holding her nerve to take the individual title at the Aramco Team Series – New York.

The Ladies European Tour win at Trump Golf Links Ferry Point marks the 27-year-old World Number Four’s first title since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019.

In bright and breezy conditions in New York, Thompson held off the challenge World Number Six Brooke Henderson and Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom on Saturday with a final round of 69 to finish three shots clear on eleven-under-par.

Starting the final round two shots clear, Thompson took advantage of an early Korda bogey to birdie her first hole and build an early cushion that she maintained all day. Thompson’s putter remained hot all week and four birdies on the friendlier back nine eased her away from a chasing pack.

“I came into today just the way I played yesterday, just playing aggressive golf, and being kind of fiery,” she said.

“I hit a great shot on No. 1 to like six, seven feet and made it and I wanted to play fearless golf and not play away from pins by any means and commit to my shots. I hit some really good ones and I hit some iffy ones but with this wind and everything, you have to take the bad ones as best you can.”

Thompson’s win, with her brother on her bag this week, comes off the back off several top tens this year with the hard work off the course paying off for the Floridian.

“I’ve been working extremely hard on my game. I felt like it was a matter of time but just wanted to play golf and put myself in contention in the final rounds and learn from the losses that I had and what I needed to work on which I brought into today.”

Brooke Henderson, making her Aramco Team Series debut, found her best form of the week in the final round to make a late charge with a flurry of late birdies on the back nine in conditions that suited the supreme ball-striker. The Canadian carded a round of 68 for a tie of second on eight-under-par with Sagstrom.

“I feel like I was just trying to make some birdies and climb as much as I could,” said the two-time major winner.

“I was happy to shoot 4-under out there in the wind. I feel like my game is in a good spot which is exciting leading into the rest of the LPGA season in a few weeks and hopefully I can finish strong because it’s been a really fun year.”

Nelly Korda was bidding for back-to-back Aramco Team Series wins but three bogeys on her front nine stalled her progress. The World Number 4 unsurprisingly battled back, coming home in 33 shots with three birdies for a round of 72 and fourth place (-7).

“It was very frustrating start to the day – very odd on the front nine, said Korda. “I just didn’t feel like myself. But then got it going on the back nine and I finished strong. It was a good confidence boost. It’s really nice to see Lexi win and it’s really good for golf for her to win as well. She played really solid golf and she’s been playing really solid golf this year. It was just around the corner,” she added.

Madelene Sagstrom was frustrated to not get over the line today but admitted it was nice to be back in contention in a big tournament playing alongside Thompson and Korda in the final group.

“We all come out here to try and win,” she said. “That’s what the mindset was coming in for the week. I haven’t really been in this kind of situation for a while, so it’s nice to be back. I think every time we play with top players, it makes you a little better. Playing with them and being comfortable and being in that situation is always good.”

The Aramco Team Series reaches its 2022 climax next month for the final event of the year in Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

(Text: Aramco Team Series)

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Team Gustavsson crowned champions in New York

Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden, Jessica Karlsson of Sweden, Karolin Lampert of Germany and Jennifer Rosenberg. (Credit: Ladies European Tour)

Thompson & Korda set for Saturday head-to-head at Trump Golf Links

Team Gustavsson have swept to an impressive victory in the team competition at the Aramco Team Series – New York on the Ladies European Tour.

Swedish skipper Johanna Gustavsson led a quartet at Trump Golf Links that included Jessica Karlsson, Karolin Lampert and New York college star Jennifer Rosenberg who took advantage of perfect conditions to finish on 23-under-par.

The winners held off late challenges in the $500,000 team event, from a host of international talent, to mark first LET victories for Gustavsson and Karlsson.

“It’s a win and it’s a team win and it’s just great to celebrate with the others and have this kind of experience,” said Gustavsson. “The joy of winning is so much better when you share it as well. It’s just been great and having Jennifer with us, she’s got a bright future, turning pro soon, and I think we’ll see her again”.

It was back-to-back wins for Karolin Lampert who also was part the winning team at last year’s Aramco Team Series – New York at Glen Oaks Golf & Country Club.

Runners up in the team competition was Team Hewson (-21) with Team Maguire (-19) and Team Babnik (-19) in third respectively.

In the second round of the individual competition World Number eight Lexi Thompson made the most decisive move, showing her class on Friday with a round of 65 to finish on eight-under-par – a slim one shot lead heading into the final day tomorrow. Thompson’s round included five birdies and an eagle with the American star’s putter red hot in the New York sunshine.

Thompson said: “It was a great day out there. We couldn’t have asked for better weather compared to yesterday and it was obviously a little softer due to the rain. It’s a tough track and it can get windy – so you just have to take advantage of the easier holes.”

A victory would mark the 27-year American’s first professional win since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019.

“All I can focus on is my game and my emotions, so I’ll just try and take that into tomorrow,” added Thompson. “I’m sure I have to come out and play my A Game. But all I can focus on is my game and my emotions.”

Just one behind is tournament headliner and World Number 4 Nelly Korda who was another to stamp her authority on the Ferry Point Links. A round of 67 included four birdies and an eagle to finish on seven-under-par. Korda is aiming for back-to-back wins on the Aramco Team Series – a format she is becoming increasingly dominant at.

Chasing Thompson and Korda is Madelene Sagstrom (-5) and World Number Six Brooke Henderson (-4.)

“I’m just going to try to stay aggressive and I need to get the putter a little bit hotter, so hopefully that will help me tomorrow,” said Sweden’s Sagstrom. “A win would mean the world to me, and I’m going to go out there and give myself a good chance.”

Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.

About the Aramco Team Series

The Aramco Team Series is the first team event series of its kind on any professional tour. Part of the Ladies European Tour it takes place across four continents, the tournaments will see the world’s best players team up with amateur golfers to compete for a $1M prize funds.

Using a unique draft system, team captains will pick one pro teammate, before being allocated a third via a random draw. Completing each team will be one amateur golfer. As well as competing for the team trophy, the professionals will also vie for an individual title, offering Rolex Rankings and Solheim Cup ranking points, and will be part of the Race to Costa del Sol Official Rankings.

(Article provided by Aramco Team Series Media)

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Former NFL Stars Compete At Aramco Team Series New York

Former NFL stars Eddie Royal and Brice Butler playing at the Aramco Team Series in New York. (photos: Getty)
Former NFL stars Eddie Royal and Brice Butler playing at the Aramco Team Series in New York. (photos: Getty)

The football stars join the team competition over the event’s first two days as the unique tournament format sees each four-player team including three professional golfers and they will be the team’s one amateur. Each team’s best two scores per hole count toward the team total, so each of the four team members can contribute to the team’s chances at a share of the $500,000 prize fund. The individual competition for the pro golfers spans the three days of the event, with the three-day total scores determining the leaderboard and chance at the share of the $500,000 individual prize.

During their NFL careers, the trio of wide receivers in Tate, Royal and Butler combined to score 83 touchdowns, while on the defensive side Green grabbed 25 interceptions and returned three for touchdowns.

Speaking ahead of participating in the LET event with the world’s top women golfers, former 11-year NFL pro and Super Bowl champion Golden Tate shared: “As a competitor, I always look forward to competing. Getting a chance to compete with the best ladies in the world is extra special. Hopefully I can do my part to help our team win. Competing and having fun is what it’s all about for me.”

He shared advice for girls who hope to become professionals in golf or other sports, “Continue to play and enjoy the process. Enjoy the ups and downs because the ups and downs are what build character and that’s how you get through those low moments. Preparing you for when those lights are shining on you or when you have that opportunity. You may get one chance, you might get five chances – you just want to be prepared to maximize that opportunity.”

Tate on his preparation for golf versus football, “The prep has been done for years now for golf. The practice and repetitions – football is week to week with game plans and figuring out how to beat your opponent. The game of golf is you versus the course really.”

Speaking ahead of his first round of the Aramco Team Series – New York, six-year NFL proBrice Butler said, “Just having fun with the ladies. It’s always fun playing with ladies because as a football player, you look at other people as not as physically gifted as you because maybe they’re not as big. They’re about to be out there hitting the the ball as far as me, hitting greens in reg, hitting fairways. It’s going to be fun – I’m playing with Lexi Thompson, it’ll be great to play with a great golfer out there.” 

Butler shared advice for girls who aspire to become professional athletes, “Keep grinding. There are always going to be naysayers. The confidence lies within. All you need is your confidence and your grind. It’s almost like a psychotic sense of you’re going to make it regardless of what happens. If you do that, and you work hard – obviously there’s going to be some cookies that fall the way you don’t want them to fall but you gotta pick them up and eat them.”

Butler went on to discuss preparing for a golf tournament versus an NFL game ahead of Aramco Team Series – New York, “[In a] Football game I’m very confident because I know my skills and capabilities. I was doing it for a long time. This game of golf I’ve only been playing for six years, so I’m basically a baby in the game. The mind is scrambled, this mind is real scrambled [going in].” The Ladies European Tour event features 78 golfers with several of the world’s top pros including no. 4 ranked Nelly Korda, no. 6 Brooke Henderson, no. 8 Lexi Thompson, no. 14 Jessica Korda, no. 18 Charley Hull and no. 19 Leona Maguire with a $1M prize purse. 

(Text: Aramco Team Series)


Categories
Ladies European Tour

LET: Manon De Roey defies brutal conditions to take opening day lead at Aramco Team Series – New York

Manon De Roey takes the lead at the New York event on the LET.
Manon De Roey takes the lead at the New York event on the LET.

New York, (October 13, 2022): The world’s top golfers battled the elements in challenging conditions at the opening round of the Aramco Team Series – New York. Belgium’s Manon De Roey overcame the wind and rain in the Big Apple to take the early lead in the individual event at Trump Golf Links on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

LET: “I’m very pleased with my score today” – De Roey claims a good start in New York

De Roey, who clinched her first LET title winning at the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok earlier this season, was flawless with a bogey-free round of 68 to finish on four-under-par.  Only four players at Trump Golf Links were able to shoot under par with better conditions expected for Friday and Saturday for a course favoring the long hitters.

“I’m very pleased with my score today,” said De Roey.

“It was tough out there. We had some rain, strong winds and just tried to keep it together for the team as well – being bogey-free today which is nice. I knew today was going to be tricky but I think for the next few days it’s going to be sunny and 19 degrees, so I’m looking forward to that. It can only get better from today, so I’m looking forward to it,” added the Belgian 30-year-old. 

De Roey is in fourth place on the LET’s Race to Costa Del Sol standings with a good showing in New York contributing to valuable points with just three tournaments to go in the 2022 season.

Nelly Korda, champion at the last Aramco Team Series event in Spain, sits behind De Roey after a two-under par round of 70. The American world number 4 showed her class in the wind on her back nine – with her team of Noora Homulainen, Celine Herbin and amateur James Rawson in the mix in the team event also in second place.

“The weather wasn’t that great so we were all saving each other and thankfully we all had each other’s back,” said Korda.  “We played pretty well today. It was pretty windy and then it started kind of raining toward the start of our back nine and it stopped around on the 14th and the wind died”. 

Talented 18-year-old rising star Pia Babnik joins Korda on two-under with four birdies and just the one bogey on her second hole in a controlled round of golf.

“I tried to really keep my ball flight much lower in the wind – I definitely needed to make some adjustments,” said Babnik.

LET: Team Leona Maguire leads the team event

Team Leona Maguire leads the way in two-day team competition on 11-under-par alongside Liz Young, Tvesa Malik and former NFL star Golden Tate – winner of Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.

Irish star Maguire said: “It’s a good test out there and was playing long with lots of woods and hybrids needed. It will be a little kinder tomorrow and we can make plenty of birdies to keep it going.”

Team Pelaez Trivino are just one back led by captain Ana Pelaez, Nicole Garcia, Emma Grechi and amateur Michael Singer.

“It’s really important to be patient around this course and because sometimes you’re not going to hit the best shot and you’re not going have the best bounce and stuff like that,” said Pelaez. 

Native New Yorker Annie Park enjoyed her day on the links and first experience of the unique team and individual event.

“This is my first time playing at this golf course and it felt like I was in Scotland today with the golf course and the weather. This is such an individual sport, and to have a little bit a team aspect into it, I think it’s fantastic with a lot on the line which is individual and team.”

There is a new format this year for the Aramco Team Series where the teams will compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with $500,000 prize-money being split between the lowest scoring fourballs. Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.

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Ladies European Tour

Golf Stars Nelly Korda & Lexi Thompson Praise New Opportunities for Women’s Golf

Preview for the Aramco Team Series Event in New York. (Photo: Aramco)
Preview for the Aramco Team Series Event in New York. (Photo: Aramco)

The stage is set for the Aramco Team Series – New York tournament to tee off on Thursday with the world’s top stars of women’s golf at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, New York. The Ladies European Tour event features 78 golfers with several of the world’s top pros including no. 4 ranked Nelly Korda, no. 6 Brooke Henderson, no. 8 Lexi Thompson, no. 14 Jessica Korda, no. 18 Charley Hull and no. 19 Leona Maguire with a $1M prize purse.

Speaking to the media in New York on Wednesday, Nelly Korda commented: “We play so many events on the LPGA Tour, it’s nice to switch it up for a team aspect. It’s very different and it’s fun. Throughout the season, competing and traveling gets a little tiring. It’s a breath of fresh air having a team and doing a little something different throughout the season.”

Lexi Thompson shared the following on Wednesday on the setting for Aramco Team Series – New York 2022: “It’s an amazing golf course and it’s in great shape. I got to play about 14-15 holes yesterday. Besides the traffic in New York, everything is great. To take on this golf course, keep it in the fairways. There’s some fescue out there. It’ll be all weather-dependent as well, if it gets super windy there’s obviously not too much to block it. Keeping a good trajectory on ball flight. It’s in great shape for us.” Regarding the opportunities Aramco Team Series is creating for female golfers, she continued: “It’s amazing what they’re doing. As an athlete of any sport, we want to grow our game and our sport individually. What they’re doing with golf and giving other girls an opportunity to bring out their best is great. They’re very grateful for this opportunity.”

Brooke Henderson shared her excitement this week on her first visit to New York City: “First time for me in actual New York City, which is hard to believe as I’m only a seven-and-a-half-hour drive from here, but I’ve never experienced the city. I was able to walk around Central Park a little bit, so I’m enjoying the hustle and bustle and the craziness. It’s all very exciting.”

On Tuesday evening, the players gathered for the Aramco Team Series – New York team draw where 26 captains selected their teams for the tournament. The event features a unique scoring system, allowing an amateur player to contribute to the final result of the Ladies European Tour event as the competition features individual and team champions vying for the $1M prize. The team event covers the first two rounds, with individuals making the cut for a chance at the individual title on day three.

Headlining teams following the draw include the below and the full tee times list is available here

  • Team N. Korda: Nelly Korda, Noora Komulainen, Celine Herbin
  • Team Henderson: Brooke Henderson, Christine Wolf, Linda Wessberg
  • Team Thompson: Lexi Thompson, Kelly Whaley, Laura Fuenfstueck
  • Team J. Korda: Jessica Korda, Jillian Hollis, Kylie Henry
  • Team Hull: Charley Hull, Laura Davies, Julia Engstrom
  • Team Maguire: Leona Maguire, Liz Young, Tvesa Malik

Tickets are available from just $5 for adults and are free for kids under 16 years-old. To secure tickets or to find out more, visit www.aramcoteamseries.com or follow the event on social media @aramco_series.