2023 LPGA Season Odds and Ends

[OnTheBag]

I still think we are going to have more equipment free agents than ever before.  Similar to something that Patrick Cantlay said in an recent interview.  High profile players now have endorsement options outside of the traditional OEMs and love the freedom of club selection.  We will all know more over the next week to week and a half.  The grumbling I'm hearing from inside the ropes is about the structure of the new OEM contracts and how restrictive they are.  

 

 

[North Texas]

On 1/9/2023 at 7:28 AM, 18majors said:

This is another indication of LPGA players' higher profile in Media:

 

‘This Could Change Golf’: Golf Fans Go Berserk Over Nelly Korda Supposedly Dropping Major Sponsor

 

It was really hard not to laugh at that article. 

[ChronicSlicer]

9 hours ago, North Texas said:

 

It was really hard not to laugh at that article. 

Not if you didn't waste your time clicking on it 😉

[AKL Kiwi]

Today at 5.00pm ET the commitments to the Tournament of Champions closed so no Lydia, Jeeno or Minjee. @Argonne69 may as well start the forum topic when you get time.....the field is listed and not going to change now except for maybe a withdrawal. I'll make some comments there when it's started.😊

[18majors]

 

It's been a while, Belen:

 

 

[Golf Dino]

By the way, on the topic of Belen, she and her hubby are expecting.  Wish her all the best (and him too).

 

 

 

[18majors]

 

What does this mean for our Canadian friends:

1.   Do they now have access to live streaming?
2.   Do they need to pay something extra for live streaming?

 

[18majors]

 

Grace Kim and Stephanie Kyriacou in action in Australia:

 

LPGA STARS HEADLINE EXPANDED WPGA TOUR SEASON

 

[18majors]

 

It's that time of the year again:

 

 

[18majors]

 

This is the blockbuster deal that I expected Nelly to sign after she won Olympics Gold Medal in August, 2021.  Even though It took a lot longer than I expected to seal the deal, it's worth the wait.  Nike's deals with Tiger and Rory are for $10.0 million or more per year.

 

I don't believe we'll continue to see "Q Cells" on her hat, but thanks a lot for them to get Nelly started:

 

"UST DID IT! ✔️ Super excited to join the Swoosh fam!
@nike
@nikewomen
@nikegolf"

 

Edited January 14, 2023 by 18majors

[18majors]

 

Some more details on Nelly and Brooke's endorsement deals:

Nelly Korda signs Nike apparel deal — and it’s just the start of big changes

 

"Korda made her apparel deal official on Saturday with a social media post confirming a multi-year agreement with Nike Golf, putting an end to her partnership with Swedish clothing company J.Lindeberg. Nike Golf exited the hard-goods space in 2016, but they remain a major force in the equipment apparel space on Tour with staff that features Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Tony Finau, Brooks Koepka and Jason Day.

The photos Korda posted on social media showed her wearing a Nike pullover and glove. But the hat, arguably the most lucrative advertising space on a pro golfer, was noticeably absent. So, too, was the head of the golf club, which was cropped out of the photo.

According to multiple GOLF.com sources, the missing hat and club head are signs of bigger things to come on the equipment front. The deal hasn’t been made official, but all signs point to Korda signing a multi-year equipment deal with TaylorMade Golf in the coming weeks. At the moment, Korda is an equipment free agent after her bio was removed from Titleist’s website. Outside of Danielle Kang, the 24-year-old was the highest-profile brand ambassador on Titleist’s LPGA staff."

 

 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, 18majors said:

 

Some more details on Nelly and Brooke's endorsement deals:

Nelly Korda signs Nike apparel deal — and it’s just the start of big changes

 

"Korda made her apparel deal official on Saturday with a social media post confirming a multi-year agreement with Nike Golf, putting an end to her partnership with Swedish clothing company J.Lindeberg. Nike Golf exited the hard-goods space in 2016, but they remain a major force in the equipment apparel space on Tour with staff that features Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Tony Finau, Brooks Koepka and Jason Day.

The photos Korda posted on social media showed her wearing a Nike pullover and glove. But the hat, arguably the most lucrative advertising space on a pro golfer, was noticeably absent. So, too, was the head of the golf club, which was cropped out of the photo.

According to multiple GOLF.com sources, the missing hat and club head are signs of bigger things to come on the equipment front. The deal hasn’t been made official, but all signs point to Korda signing a multi-year equipment deal with TaylorMade Golf in the coming weeks. At the moment, Korda is an equipment free agent after her bio was removed from Titleist’s website. Outside of Danielle Kang, the 24-year-old was the highest-profile brand ambassador on Titleist’s LPGA staff."

 

 

 

'Bout time. Unlike Michelle, Nelly is the real deal. Sorry, Wiesy. 

 

[kmbean]

9 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

'Bout time. Unlike Michelle, Nelly is the real deal. Sorry, Wiesy. 

 

Ummmmmmm like that is umm like totally like ummmm only your opinion ummmm.

[kmbean]

Anybody know the details on Danielle splitting with her caddie?

[JungleJimbo]

4 hours ago, kmbean said:

Anybody know the details on Danielle splitting with her caddie?

The elite caddies presumably need to be quite discrete, as it’s a tight-knit community/ discretion is valued if they move between top players?

 

Even the “tea”/ juicy details are written using nom-de-plume eg those “Undercover Caddie” writeups? (Google search Link: https://bit.ly/3IOzxT0)

 

I’m guessing @OnTheBag might have some insights? (Albeit some details = might be of the “I could tell you… but then I’d have to kill you” !) 🙊😬🚫🤬

 
 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/undercover-caddie-physical-toll/

 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/undercover-caddie-why-a-tour-caddie-is-always-one-round-away-from-being-fired/

 

 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/undercover-caddie-why-do-we-accept-jobs-from-players-with-commitment-issues
 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/undercover-caddie-did-i-make-a-mistake-love-golf

Edited January 15, 2023 by JungleJimbo

[postfold]

18 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

'Bout time. Unlike Michelle, Nelly is the real deal. Sorry, Wiesy. 

 

 

I'm sure Michelle will survive, what with that U.S. Open trophy on her mantle while she lounges on bricks of Nike cash. (insert appropriate no-not-serious-business emojis here lol)

 

As for Nelly, I hope that this deal prods Nike to up their women's apparel game.  She was always one of the best dressed players in J Lindberg and a lot of Nike stuff is boring, utilitarian, i'm-just-here-for-the-logo crap.

Edited January 15, 2023 by postfold
lol

[OnTheBag]

5 hours ago, JungleJimbo said:

I’m guessing @OnTheBag might have some insights? (Albeit some details = might be of the “I could tell you… but then I’d have to kill you” !)

Very, very true.  I'm often asked on here for stories about players.  If I do provide a story, I try to be as vague as possible.  There is an unwritten rule about the caddie/player relationship, that prevents us from airing our dirty laundry.  If a caddie ever did, he/she would be blacklisted from any of the top players.  There has to be a trust and any breech of that trust would be the end of your career.

 

As to Miss Kang and Ollie, what I know, I won't divulge.  All I'll say is that I'm not surprised in the least.  

 

It is a difficult life, knowing you could be fired at any moment for nothing more than your player "wanting to change things up."  I loved the game and after failing to make the tour myself, it was a way to stay involved.  I found was that I was better on the bag than with the sticks and was able to make a good living at it.  Some of it was a stretch with a good player, most was because I found my niche and agents/management companies sought out my services to evaluate young talent.  There is more to success than the golf swing.  Lots of folks can analyze the value of the swing, but very few can accurately analyze the total package and advise on the odds of overall success.  

 

The months of January and February are always tumultuous.  We will start to see things play out next week.  The "settling out point" used to be the Dina.  I expect to have a good view of how the season will play out by April 1st this year.  

[ChronicSlicer]

32 minutes ago, OnTheBag said:

 

 

As to Miss Kang and Ollie, what I know, I won't divulge.  All I'll say is that I'm not surprised in the least.  

 

 

And the speculation starts now...

[ChronicSlicer]

22 hours ago, 18majors said:

 

This is the blockbuster deal that I expected Nelly to sign after she won Olympics Gold Medal in August, 2021.  Even though It took a lot longer than I expected to seal the deal, it's worth the wait.  Nike's deals with Tiger and Rory are for $10.0 million or more per year.

 

I don't believe we'll continue to see "Q Cells" on her hat, but thanks a lot for them to get Nelly started:

 

"UST DID IT! ✔️ Super excited to join the Swoosh fam!
@nike
@nikewomen
@nikegolf"

 

/cdn-cgi/mirage/f71c4a97395c953f1a223cabc0ccddaf8f1a0931b0da945dad92eda200145490/1440/cdn-cgi/mirage/f71c4a97395c953f1a223cabc0ccddaf8f1a0931b0da945dad92eda200145490/1440/https://wrxcdn.golfwrx.com/uploads/monthly_2023_01/324915755_1414688389064247_3420898638588849775_n.jpg.1fe3e281538c383fcdd72c102d7172d7.jpg

I'm shocked considering your obsession, you didn't pick up on this deal previous to her revealing it. She's only been wearing Nike shoes since May. 

[Lobby]

2 hours ago, OnTheBag said:

Very, very true.  I'm often asked on here for stories about players.  If I do provide a story, I try to be as vague as possible.  There is an unwritten rule about the caddie/player relationship, that prevents us from airing our dirty laundry.  If a caddie ever did, he/she would be blacklisted from any of the top players.  There has to be a trust and any breech of that trust would be the end of your career.

 

As to Miss Kang and Ollie, what I know, I won't divulge.  All I'll say is that I'm not surprised in the least.  

 

It is a difficult life, knowing you could be fired at any moment for nothing more than your player "wanting to change things up."  I loved the game and after failing to make the tour myself, it was a way to stay involved.  I found was that I was better on the bag than with the sticks and was able to make a good living at it.  Some of it was a stretch with a good player, most was because I found my niche and agents/management companies sought out my services to evaluate young talent.  There is more to success than the golf swing.  Lots of folks can analyze the value of the swing, but very few can accurately analyze the total package and advise on the odds of overall success.  

 

The months of January and February are always tumultuous.  We will start to see things play out next week.  The "settling out point" used to be the Dina.  I expect to have a good view of how the season will play out by April 1st this year.  

I'm glad you post here.

[iamthebeard]

13 hours ago, kmbean said:

Anybody know the details on Danielle splitting with her caddie?

If anyone has been around D for longer than 5 minutes can realize that anyone working for her has a short shelf life the way she treats people around her. 

 

Olly accomplished what he needed to with that job and personally stuck around longer than he should've the way he was treated (and compensated) last season. 

[Oh Hi Carl]

1 hour ago, iamthebeard said:

If anyone has been around D for longer than 5 minutes can realize that anyone working for her has a short shelf life the way she treats people around her. 

 

Olly accomplished what he needed to with that job and personally stuck around longer than he should've the way he was treated (and compensated) last season. 

I don't know any details.  My impression is that she's someone who likes to give the impression she's super friendly and nice.  Her interactions with him from my couch 2,000 miles away seemed forced.  I can see why others with a closer vantage point may not be surprised.  

[Seamus_McDuff]

I hope the lower ranked players haven’t bought plane tickets to Saudi Arabia yet. 
 

It’s now full(outside of invitee and holding spots) and players previously in are now out. 

[AKL Kiwi]

Lydia playing golf on her honeymoon.....well who would have thought that was what she would be up too.

 

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/golf-lydia-ko-sinks-hole-in-one-while-honeymooning-in-new-zealand/HNE4OJSIE5B23DTIMCDXF4BYDI/

[woahnelly]

On 1/7/2023 at 11:44 AM, 18majors said:

 

 

 

 

 

Annie is pragmatic, she doesn't waste time dreaming.  She signed up Blue Bay and Arizona to start the season.

 

The way players have been signing up Saudi Ladies International; it probably will take Rolex #80 or better to get in.

 

 

 

 

She is in! 

[18majors]

1 hour ago, woahnelly said:

 

She is in! 

 

Do we know for sure?  When is the registration closed?

[woahnelly]

3 hours ago, 18majors said:

 

Do we know for sure?  When is the registration closed?

 

I did see Annie on the confirmed entrants list via the Rolex exemption. Thanks to the 100s ranked above her who declined their invite 😂. Not sure if it is finalized, previous entrants who were listed under this exemption are now on the reserved list, like Xiaowen Yin 

Edited January 16, 2023 by woahnelly

[18majors]

3 minutes ago, woahnelly said:

 

I did see Annie on the confirmed entrants list via the Rolex exemption. Thanks to the 100s ranked above her who declined their invite 😂

 

 

 

 

I don't believe the registration deadline has ended; more higher ranked players will continue to sign up.  

 

I hope Annie will be qualified to play and hopefully win it and earn a large sum of dough!  She deserves it!

[woahnelly]

4 minutes ago, 18majors said:

 

 

 

 

I don't believe the registration deadline has ended; more higher ranked players will continue to sign up.  

 

I hope Annie will be qualified to play and hopefully win it and earn a large sum of dough!  She deserves it!

 

Edited my earlier post to confirm you were correct about the finalized list. Hope she doesn't get knocked down the pecking order! 

[Golf Dino]

On 1/15/2023 at 11:11 AM, iamthebeard said:

If anyone has been around D for longer than 5 minutes can realize that anyone working for her has a short shelf life the way she treats people around her. 

 

The Mav McNealy thing was rather short too.