2020 LPGA Season Odds and Ends

[18majors]

Pro golfers among foreign athletes now cleared for travel into U.S.

Pro golfers among foreign athletes now cleared for travel into U.S.

 

[18majors]

An Ana Belac video

Ana Belac NCAA career cut short COVID-19 pandemic

[18majors]

Even KLPGA needs to cancel two more tournaments in July

KLPGA, 아시아나항공오픈·문영퀸즈파크 챔피언십 취소

[Golf Dino]

 

Well ... things definitely on a "slooow comeback" pace. Nonetheless, I suspect that it is probably the best for all involved.

In the meantime, something on Gaby Lopez ... Following in the Footsteps of a Golfing Hero

I never realized that she was injured last year.

[fredogolfer]

Looks like the field for next week’s Texas Women’s Open is pretty stacked former no 1s and US Open Champions. Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's OpenIf this many LPGA/Symetra Tour players are confident enough to play, one has to wonder.

[18majors]

 

Beth Ann Nichols wrote:

"Can we get some television cameras out to next week’s Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open? The field has become a who’s who list of playing professionals. Former World No. 1 and Texas resident Stacy Lewis is competing for the first time, along with former U.S. Women’s Open champion Brittany Lang, Gerina Piller, Celine Boutier, Cheyenne Knight, Maria Fassi, Yu Liu, Lindsey Weaver and two-time U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Kristen Gillman." Stacked Texas Women's Open field includes Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lang, Gerina Piller and more

 

[Lobby]

Still no spectators allowed. Too bad, as I was thinking of going.

It would be nice to have some TV cameras there.

[18majors]

PGA Tour isn't immune from problems

 

[fredogolfer]

Aren’t there public trails and a public park that intersect the course? I’d go and hang out there. You could probably see holes 6-10. What is being played as holes 1-2 is lined by a sidewalk that is part of the housing development, not the course. No rule that says you can’t be on that sidewalk watching them hole out on one and all through the second hole. A little extra work but if you’re in the area already.....

[Argonne69]

The Tribute Shoreline Trail runs adjacent to the course. One could get close to two greens and one teebox.

[18majors]

KLPGA will hold the Tenth Lotte Cantata Ladies Open next week, June 04-07.

Jin Young Ko and Sei Young Kim will be playing; as well as Yealimi Noh.

::: KLPGA - 한국여자프로골프협회 :::

 

 

[18majors]

This could happen to LPGA too

 

[fredogolfer]

I don’t mean to sound harsh, I can’t imagine what it’s like to run a large organization with so many moving parts and sponsors to please. We’ve come to learn the sponsors wishes almost have to be obeyed with no pushback from the LPGA, a weakness of that has become exposed during this time. That being said, Commissioner Whan has touted the LPGA had COVID-19 on their radar much earlier than many other US Sports leagues but in reality, I feel like the response has been shifting almost every week with no room for adaptability (again, likely due to sponsors). PBR, Bundesliga, the PGA Tour, KLPGA have either started or will restart with modified formats weeks before the LPGA resumes. For an organization that had this on the radar earlier, it has reacted poorly long-term although its initial actions to cancel events has to be applauded.

Some of the men’s mini tours, the Cactus tour and state opens like the Texas Women’s Open next week have taken/ will take place and up to now there haven’t seemed to have been any outbreaks. Sure there likely aren’t tons of fans if at all at those events anyway but it has shown that it is possible to get a large group of players in one space, additional staff whether its caddies, volunteers or course employees also likely share some facilities and as long as it’s done responsibly, it can be done.

I’m not saying let’s have the WM Phoenix Open but there are many ways this could be done but it seems the LPGA wants it all or nothing at all, again maybe it doesn’t have the luxury of being flexible. It’ll be interesting to see what happens going forward. If the LPGA is truly to be golf’s “global tour” it must be ready to respond to global happenings.

[18majors]

Did LPGA initiate to cancel Honda, HSBC and Blue Bay or did the sponsors ask for it; we won't know.

One thing we know, LPGA has no leverage over the sponsors.

LPGA's reschedule was to play 20 tournaments in 24 weeks; it's ambitious given the pandemic, travel restrictions and quarantines.

They has since decided to combine 2020/2021 and cancel 2020 Q-School; it's an indication that they don't know how many tournaments they will actually play.

Fortunately, there is US Women's Open, USGA will do everything they can to make it happen.

 

[fredogolfer]

I believe the first 3 events were cancelled due to government intervention.

[18majors]

This's a good plan

KLPGA and Corona 19 adjust the prize money and cuts for regular tours this year

"In order to provide benefits and opportunities to more and more players in the Corona 19 situation, KLPGA allowed only regular tours in 2020 to adjust the prize rates and cut-open numbers for each competition.The winner's prize rate can be lowered from 20% to 18% of the total prize pool. Competitions that have changed the prize rate may increase the number of cutoffs. Competitions with 120, 132, and 140 participants can be ranked 80th, and competitions with 102,108 participants can be ranked 70th."

KLPGA, 코로나19로 올해 정규투어 상금요율·컷 인원 조정

 

[18majors]

Some additional signs of life

Exclusive: Women's professional sport to make UK return on June 18 at Brokenhurst Manor Open

Behind closed doors one-day tournament in Hampshire will mark the resumption after coronvirus lockdown

 

[18majors]

Some information are outdated, but it's nice to see Bianca Pagdanganon highlighted

Golf: Amid COVID-19, Bianca Pagdanganan doesn’t mind putting LPGA debut on hold

[18majors]

Haven't seen Danielle Kang for a while; this is a nice recent interview video

Danielle Kang Shares Ups and Downs of Quarantine Training

[18majors]

Hinako Shibuno (460,402) will overtake Lexi (460,499) in the next couple of days to become the women professional golfer with the most Instagram followers.

 

[fredogolfer]

Based on social media and local Colorado Reports, it looks like Jennifer Kupcho and Carlota Ciganda are headlining the Colorado Open this week. Sophia Popov, Kendall Dye, Clarisa Guce, Vicky Hurst and Kim Kaufman are also in the field.https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.coloradogolf.org/welcome-addition-article/amp/

[18majors]

Na Yeon Choi

"Choi Na- yeon interview at the opening of Lotte Cantata on the 4th, Already a professional debut 15-year veteran. Recently overcome the back injury and hips"

"완벽스윙 집착 버리니..골프가 다시 즐거워요"

[18majors]

In Gee's 2015 US Women's Open got me into LPGA big time

"This year’s championship will be held at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. On what would’ve been championship Sunday (June 7), Fox will replay In Gee Chun’s 2015 U.S. Women’s Open victory at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club in prime time. The event featured record-setting crowds. In addition, Golf Channel will air several USWO classics from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

Thursday, June 4: 2007 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club (won by Cristie Kerr)Friday, June 5: 2010 U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club (won by Paula Creamer)Saturday, June 6: 2011 U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor, (won by So Yeon Ryu)Sunday, June 7: 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (won by Michelle Wie)" With U.S. Women's Open postponed, here's how to watch classic reruns this week

 

[18majors]

This is better than LPGA's Q-Series

"PGA TOUR University creates a pipeline to the pro game. Starting in 2021, the top five players on the PGA TOUR University rankings after the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship will earn Korn Ferry Tour status for the remainder of the regular season. This will give them starts into all open events. From there, they’ll try to play their way into the Korn Ferry Tour Finals and play for one of the 25 PGA TOUR cards up for grabs. Now a good summer means a college star can be on the PGA TOUR in a matter of months. And if he can’t make it to the big TOUR, his high standing on the PGA TOUR University Rankings will earn him an exemption straight into the final stage of Q-School, guaranteeing him Korn Ferry Tour status for the following season."

Game changer: PGA TOUR University creates pipeline for collegiate stars

[18majors]

Hana Financial Group leaves no stone unturned to get Yealimi Noh on the press

고진영·최나연·노예림·안소현 등 4일 개막 롯데칸타타 여자오픈 출격

[18majors]

Japan; JLPGA will start on June 25, 2020

ギリギリでの国内女子ツアー開幕へ 求められる理解と寛容

[18majors]

Winner's share is respectable

 

[18majors]

Tiffany Chan

‘HK’s Chan takes positives from hiatus - Taipei Times

[18majors]

KLPGA will beat JLPGA in both the number of tournaments and total prize money this year

"This is the first time KLPGA has surpassed JLPGA not only in the number of competitions (five) but also in the total prize money (about 2.2 billion won) since the association was founded in 1978. Last year alone, JLPGA had a total prize money of 3,945,900,000 yen (402.3589 million won) in 39 competitions, and KLPGA was 22.2 billion won in 30 competitions. This year, the situation in the tour reversed due to the unexpected situation of Corona 19."

KLPGA, 올해 대회수 및 상금까지 JLPGA 추월

 

 

[18majors]

Texas Open, after 2 rounds

Celine Boutier, -10

Cheyenne Knignt, -7

Kristen Gillman, -6

Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open