2020 LPGA Season Odds and Ends

[18majors]

Not long, ten more years will do

 

 

[18majors]

They're big stars back home

 

Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan sacrifices family time in bid for Olympic medal

[18majors]

The gypsies of women's professional golf

 

Kelowna’s Megan Osland is starting 2020 off strong after collecting a second place win in the Cactus Tour, held in Arizona.

Osland is now on her way to Australia to play in qualifying tournaments for the two LPGA events to be played in February, weather permitting.

 

Kelowna’s Megan Osland off to a good start in 2020 after finishing 2nd in Arizona golf tour 

 

 

 

[18majors]

Is she the savior LPGA has been waiting for?

 

Amateur golf star Alexa Pano back to defend her title in the Doherty Women’s tourney

[18majors]

The season starts this week

 

박인비·전인지·김세영·지은희, LPGA 개막전 우승 사냥

[18majors]

Both Bianca Pagdanganon and Haley Moore have signed up for Gainbridge Monday Qualifier; good luck to both of them.

Fifty-eight players have signed up for a maximum of 84 field; the two qualifiers have to be really good or extremely lucky.

[Newinup]

they were looking at that qualifier since last month, having seen the field and how they can try to start competing this jannuary... :) (hence why i said anwa invitation came a year too late! :P)

[18majors]

Korean Golf Digest

Some details about the two months heavy training Yealimi Noh went through in Korea from November 7, 2019 to December 27, 2019.

It reminds me of the training Lucky 6 went through winter of 2018; but more intense.

 

[스페셜 인터뷰] 노예림, 나를 넘어서는 시간

 

 

 

[18majors]

Randell Mell is out of his element talking about golf in Japan. There isn't a rivalry between Hataoka and Shibuno; it's Shibuno by a country mile.

The only rivalry is if Yuka Yasuda lives up to her billing and challenges Shibuno for eyes and hearts of Japan.

 

Leading up to Tokyo, Nasa Hataoka and Hinako Shibuno are breeding a rivalry

 

 

 

[Newinup]

+1... Shibuno by a Mt Fuji... If there was a so called "rivalry" that Mell was talking about, it's just to secure the spot for the Olympics... Otherwise, Shibuno this and Shibuno that pretty much every week in Japanese media, whether it be TV appearances (on variety shows at that, sometimes with NY Yankees Pitcher Tanaka, etc), interviews, print media, etc -- which helps me keep in touch, thankfully LOL... Yuka Yasuda wins a pro event then yes, the attention will be divided a tad... Hataoka does not elicit as significant a media "attention" in Japan as Shibuno does - but that's what a major and her personality does...

[ChronicSlicer]

You sure have a lot of saviors in mind for the LPGA.

[ChronicSlicer]

I get the feeling Randall is referring to an on course rivalry, as in who is the better golfer. Not a popularity contest with Instagram or Facebook.

[18majors]

This's why Hye Jin Choi, Yae Eun Hong and Kelly Tan are playing the ALPG Qualifying Tournament

"There will be exemptions available for the leading seven players who are not otherwise exempt into the ISPS Handa Vic Open, three exemptions for those who are not otherwise exempt into the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open."

 

 

[18majors]

Even though it's obvious the winner this week will be someone who's already qualified for Gainbridge; Yui Kawamot still needs to wait for the result.

The wait is over.

Jennifer Chang, #138, will be the highest priority player to play Monday Qualifier on January 20, 2020.

 

[18majors]

Hye Jin Choi was a no show; she's probably got a sponsor invite to either Vic Open or Women's Australian.

 

 

[18majors]

With no superstars from KLPGA joining LPGA this year; Jiwon Jeon has become the highest profile Korean rookie this year.

She signed an equipment sponsor contract with Mizuno, Korea.

 

LPGA 새내기 전지원, 한국 미즈노와 클럽 후원 계약

[18majors]

Congratulations to Kristen Gillman

"So excited to kick off the 2020 LPGA season @GainbridgeLPGA! Really proud to be joining the @VeritexBank and @Levelwear team as I kick off my 2nd year on Tour! #gotime #gainbridgelpga"

 

 

 

 

[18majors]

Japan's post-2000 generation (the Platinum Generation); Yuka Yasuda and Yuka Saso

2000年以降生まれが8人　70年代生まれも2人、最年少はジャンボの愛弟子【まるごと女子ツアー：誕生年】｜ニフティニュース

[18majors]

Don't worry; it's the right decision, Gabriela!

Kids Today Files: US Women's Am Champ Chooses ANA Inspiration Over Shot At Augusta National Women's Amateur — Geoff Shackelford

 

 

[Stooch]

Good for Gabrielle, she's made a fan in me. Let Beth Ann cheerlead and help Augusta National throw a hissy fit cause they aren't the first Major of the year. Any other week of the year I would cheer for the event

[18majors]

A purse of $15.0 million and with $2.7 million to the winner.

Jin Young Ko had a spectacular 2019 and she won $.2.8 million.

Players Championship winner's check now worth $2.7 million

[18majors]

A tribute to Gulbis

As retirement nears, Natalie Gulbis stands out among her peers

[18majors]

"As part of their commitment to WAAP, Hana Financial Services will provide the champion with an invitation to compete in the Hana Financial Group Championship. This is in addition to exemptions into the AIG Women’s British Open, The Evian Championship, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Paul Park, Director – Sports Marketing of Hana Financial Group, said, “Hana Financial Group is very pleased to associate with The R&A in Asia and excited to have the winner of WAAP compete in the Hana Financial Group Championship. KLPGA’s biggest event of the year will be played for a total purse of U$ 1.5M on the 24-27 September 2020 at the Sky72 Golf Club ocean course. In addition, Hana Financial Group will continue further development of women’s golf with The R&A in Asia.”

Hana Financial Group partners with the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific - Pattaya Mail

[18majors]

Jin Young Ko will make her season debut in Thailand

 

"As the LPGA Tour heads east for five weeks – ISPS Handa Vic Open, ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, Honda LPGA Thailand, HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore and the Blue Bay LPGA in China – Ko has a commanding lead of more than 2.5 points over No. 2, her fellow Korean Sung Hyun Park. But Ko has a ton of talent peeking over her shoulder. "

2020 Rolex Rankings Week 3 | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association

 

 

 

[BadgerLin]

This article is so true! Years ago we went to the end of season event in Palm Beach. After the final round we went to a local restaurant, and Natalie Gulbis walked in and joined a large group. At one point she left the table for a few minutes, and as she was returning I went up to her and congratulated her on having a good season. I didn’t want to keep her from rejoining her group, but she kept talking to me - asking questions, etc, as though what she really wanted to be doing right then was have a conversation with me!

[18majors]

@Newinup


https://twitter.com/ALPGtour/status/1222068174264209408

[18majors]

@agolf1
This's in your neck of the wood!

"Competing players will include current world number nine Minjee Lee of Australia, former world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand, America’s Yealimi Noh, Thailand’s Paphangkorn Tavatanakit, and China’s Sui Xiang."
Singapore Open tees off ambitious Asian women’s golf investment by Hana Financial Group | SportBusiness

[18majors]

Is she the Phil Mickelson of LPGA?

Cristie Kerr becomes host of the LPGA’s Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill

[Titleist_PT23]

Wow, two pro tournaments for this little island! It's the same week as the TOTO in Japan though, so not sure what attendance will be like (I assume no second visit for Shibuno). I guess maybe a chance to see some Korean players before they are officially stars.

[WestTex]

Thanks to everyone and especially 18majors for posting these articles. Good to see events and news outside the LPGA covered and a good way to keep up on the huge amounts of activity outside the US. Especially for those of us who may have the desire, but neither the time off nor funds to travel!