2020 LPGA Season Odds and Ends

[Titleist_PT23]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Interesting to see the tour head back to Ocala after being away for a few years. 

 

Like the idea of a fourth event in Europe, but I don't understand why they have a week off between the new event and the Scotland event. That's a recipe for a weak field at the new event. Players are going to cross the pond, and hang around for two weeks before playing the next two weeks. 

 

I'd like to see a 2nd tournament in Korea early in the season. 

 

I would argue that without a week off the new event would even have lower participation.  I don't think many people want to play four weeks in a row from Evian through the Women's British Open.  I think much better to go to the UK a week earlier and start thinking about a different type of game/course setup.  Also, how does the Olympics fit in here (is this the off week?)?  They are asking the players to go from the U.S. to France to Tokyo back to the U.K within roughly a month?  Regardless, no matter what they do it's going to be a weaker event.

 

Also, does anyone know if the Singapore-Thailand-Hainan events will still be limited field (if so, feels a little bit more awkward in the middle of the season)?

 

 

[Titleist_PT23]

BTW, I think the Singapore event may play a bit different two months later on the calendar.  The prior spot of late-Feb/early-March is generally on the back end of the driest part of the year here.  My impression is that the greens get firm enough that you cannot go straight at pins, angles start to matter a lot, etc.

 

They can probably firm up the course a bit (in late-April/early-May vs. what it would normally be like) but it may still be a bit of a change.  I'm not entirely sure on the winds.  I don't think it will be opposite direction yet but the wind may not be as strong/slightly different direction.

[fanofseri]

Three tournaments in pandemic burdened Southern California next year.  Doesn't seem likely spectators will be welcome.  Does that mean Natalie retires in 2022?  

[Seamus_McDuff]

I thought they might try to reschedule the International Crown for ‘21. With the next three Solheims being ‘21, ‘23, and ‘24, they’re going to have to have them both in the same year at some point unless the next two International Crowns are ‘22 and ‘25. 

[Seamus_McDuff]

10 hours ago, agolf1 said:

I would argue that without a week off the new event would even have lower participation.  I don't think many people want to play four weeks in a row from Evian through the Women's British Open.  I think much better to go to the UK a week earlier and start thinking about a different type of game/course setup.  Also, how does the Olympics fit in here (is this the off week?)?  They are asking the players to go from the U.S. to France to Tokyo back to the U.K within roughly a month?  Regardless, no matter what they do it's going to be a weaker event.

 

Also, does anyone know if the Singapore-Thailand-Hainan events will still be limited field (if so, feels a little bit more awkward in the middle of the season)?

 

 

Yep, Women’s Olympic Golf is currently scheduled for Aug 4-7. 
 

Anyone playing Evian will have to miss the Opening Ceremony. 

[18majors]

The end of one era as we know it

 

 

Edited December 19, 2020 by 18majors

[HMHS]

Was it in the US Open thread that Korean women were being talked about on being a "bread winner" etc for their families... Not the least bit surprised even JYK is sending $ back to Korea first then for herself after...  There's more than a handful on the LPGA that do this, as we know... (personally know of a bit...)

 

The two-time major winner said she’s in the market for a house in the U.S. and has her eye on the Frisco, Texas, area after staying with M.J. Hur for a week. She likes warm weather and direct flights from Dallas to Seoul.

“Before the U.S. Open, I haven’t (any) money because I send to Korea all my monies,” she said, “so I need to get the monies from the U.S. Open. But I had good round, good finish, so I having money a little bit.

“But I need more this week.”

[18majors]

Hinako Shibuno plotting her future

 

4th place in the US ... "Korean tops" who stand against Hinako Shibuno who spent the season with mountains and valleys

 

[18majors]

Good bye

 

 

[AWinfortheAges]

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods is more popular (in the US) than any active LPGA player.

 

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods received more golf and sports coverage than any LPGA player in the last 3 years.

[Argonne69]

37 minutes ago, AWinfortheAges said:

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods is more popular (in the US) than any active LPGA player.

 

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods received more golf and sports coverage than any LPGA player in the last 3 years.

 

True or false? I could care less about Charlie while I enjoy watching the final LPGA tournament of the year. 

 

[fanofseri]

45 minutes ago, AWinfortheAges said:

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods is more popular (in the US) than any active LPGA player.

 

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods received more golf and sports coverage than any LPGA player in the last 3 years.

Charlie Woods is the most popular player in the world period.   Is he tall enough to light the cauldron at Japan National Stadium next summer? 

[MagicClassic407]

1 hour ago, AWinfortheAges said:

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods is more popular (in the US) than any active LPGA player.

 

True or False? Fair or unfair?

Charlie Woods received more golf and sports coverage than any LPGA player in the last 3 years.

Poor kid doesn't stand a chance..........what's he got to look forward to? 

[18majors]

A summary of Golf Channel and Morning Drive

 

End of the road: Golf Channel says goodbye to 'Morning Drive'

 

“As we announced in February, Golf Channel will be moving its media operations primarily to NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, by year-end, while GOLFNOW and GOLFPASS will continue to operate from Orlando,” a Golf Channel spokesman said in a statement to Golfweek in June."

[Argonne69]

Anyone catch the announcement that CME points will be used to determine status in 2021, replacing the money list? 

[18majors]

13 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Anyone catch the announcement that CME points will be used to determine status in 2021, replacing the money list? 

 

Yes, Beth Ann Nichols mentioned it.

[HMHS]

6 minutes ago, 18majors said:

 

Yes, Beth Ann Nichols mentioned it.

Is that final? Thought that was still "under discussion"? Either way, does that impact players' choosing where/which events to play? 

[18majors]

1 minute ago, Supermilo said:

Is that final? Thought that was still "under discussion"? Either way, does that impact players' choosing where/which events to play? 

 

No, not final.

 

CME points are flat independent of the size of the purses.  But more money never hurts, so it shouldn’t change player’s choice of events.

[18majors]

A new 2021 LPGA rookie from Korea

 

Alim Kim,'Surprise Winner' at the US Women's Open, advances to the LPGA Tour

 

[HMHS]

1 hour ago, 18majors said:

A new 2021 LPGA rookie from Korea

 

Alim Kim,'Surprise Winner' at the US Women's Open, advances to the LPGA Tour

 

I would say, smart move... even if it doesn't pan out, at least you're not left wondering "what couldve been".  If it fails, it fails... only get to live once... Hence why I still wonder why some others are not taking advantage of their opportunities that may not be there in a few years... (Eg Muni,  Shibuno, Tavatanakit to some extent, etc).  I mean, I know why on paper and I'm not to question each individual's extenuating circumstance - there's usually more to it than on paper/press release... so to sum up, despite the "hurdles" facing A Lim, the fact she's decided to take this unique opportunity is commendable... 

[18majors]

6 minutes ago, Supermilo said:

I would say, smart move... even if it doesn't pan out, at least you're not left wondering "what couldve been".  If it fails, it fails... only get to live once... Hence why I still wonder why some others are not taking advantage of their opportunities that may not be there in a few years... (Eg Muni,  Shibuno, Tavatanakit to some extent, etc).  I mean, I know why on paper and I'm not to question each individual's extenuating circumstance - there's usually more to it than on paper/press release... so to sum up, despite the "hurdles" facing A Lim, the fact she's decided to take this unique opportunity is commendable... 

 

Good points!   It's crystally clear now you've said it.

[fanofseri]

I don't blame A.L. Kim for joining the LPGA.  All the great players escape Korea.  The sponsors are greedy and pay the players peanuts.  These gals hit balls into a gd net for 10 years, win a tournament, are forced to wear a tacky blazer, then smile when they get a check for 60 million won.  

[18majors]

It's Hae Ran Ryu's time

 

Super Rookie Hae-ran, Ko Jin-young and Park Seong-hyun signed a contract with Hansot Rice..Sema Sports Marketing

 

 

[Argonne69]

Congrats to Danielle for winning the Vare. She had a great season, even though it kind of tailed off in the end (minus the 2nd at the Drive On. 'Looking forward to even better things next season.

 

[Stooch]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Congrats to Danielle for winning the Vare. She had a great season, even though it kind of tailed off in the end (minus the 2nd at the Drive On. 'Looking forward to even better things next season.

 

 

I was just looking over stats and the last couple months must have been a gauntlet for the top pro's.  A couple months ago there were 10 players with a sub-70 scoring average and after the last event there were only two.

[HMHS]

Am I right with my "research"?  A Lim Kim won over US$500k in one season in the KLPGA (using an FX rate of 1100 Won to USD1) ?  

[18majors]

14 minutes ago, Supermilo said:

Am I right with my "research"?  A Lim Kim won over US$500k in one season in the KLPGA (using an FX rate of 1100 Won to USD1) ?  

 

 

Yes, she made about $500K for both 2018 and 2019.

 

But, 2020 wasn't good, $170K.

[18majors]

Of the 34 2021 tournaments; 18 has purses of $2,000,000 or higher and 4 less than $1,500,000.

 

Of the five majors, ANA is the only one with a purse of less than $4,000,000.  LPGA's marketability has improved quite a bit since they signed the original ANA contract in 2015 when a major was sold for $2.6 million.

 

ANA and Evian are the only two majors where LPGA found the sponsors.  USGA took care of USWO, the R&A found AIG and PGA of America found KPMG. 

 

Unfortunately, ANA was extended to 2023 last year.  It'd be interesting to see if LPGA can find a ANA sponsor for $5.0 million or more in 2022.

 

 

[18majors]

One way to gauge popularity of LPGA players among non-core golf fans is to look at their Instagram followers.  Michelle Wie continues to lead the list:

 

Michelle Wie West                                 571,000

Lexi                                                         481,000

Lilly Muni He                                          346,000

Natalie Gulbis                                        189,000

Paula Creamer                                       185,000

 

Nelly Korda leads current star players:

 

Nelly Korda                                            168,000

Danielle Kang                                         163,000

Jessica Korda                                         161,000

Lydia Ko                                                  154,000

Brooke Henderson                                 110,000

 

Nelly and Jessica were helped by their cover on December issue of Golf Digest.

 

Edited December 23, 2020 by 18majors

[18majors]

The LPGA of Japan is very healthy; will conduct 37 tournaments in 2021 with a total purse of almost US$41.0 million

 

The highest ever prize money totaling over 4.1 billion yen Domestic women's 2021 37 games

 

The "Earth Mondamin Cup" increased by 60 million yen to a total prize money of 300 million yen (US$3.0 million), and continued the highest prize money tournament. The "Japan Women's Open," which had been reduced for only 20 years due to the corona wreck, increased by 37.5 million yen to a total of 150 million yen. "Sumitomo Life Vitality Ladies Tokai Classic" and "Fujifilm Studio Alice Women's Open" have been increased in prize money, making it a new 100 million yen tournament.

 

It will have first $3.0 million dollar women's golf tournament outside of LPGA.