Latest news with #USWomen'sOpen
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Nelly Korda Indifferent to Eventual Women's Masters, Has Other Priorities in Mind
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Women's golf recognizes the women's versions of three of the four men's majors as major championships. As for the fourth, the iconic Masters Tournament, there has been a fair share of talk about creating a women's version, although it has never materialized. However, World No. 1 Nelly Korda doesn't see the need for it. Korda spoke on the subject from Dundonald Links, where she will be playing her inaugural Scottish Women's Open starting Thursday. Naturally, Korda isn't opposed to playing specifically at Augusta National Golf Club, but rather has other priorities in mind. "I think we have our own, great, historic events that we as a tour capitalize on," Korda said, according to the transcripts of her pre-tournament press conference. "It's hard to compare. I mean, if you continuously compare yourself to other sports, other tours, you kind of never grow, and having something of your own is really important to the LPGA, and I think we all have that out here." According to the LPGA's official website, Korda had the opportunity to play at Augusta National in 2022, one of the few active players to do so. She was recently joined in that group by LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko. US' Nelly Korda reacts during the final round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club, in Evian-Les-Bains, central eastern France, on July 13, 2025. US' Nelly Korda reacts during the final round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club, in Evian-Les-Bains, central eastern France, on July 13, 2025. ALEX MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images Nelly Korda is Not Wrong About LPGA Historic Events There's no doubt that Nelly Korda is right when she says that the LPGA's schedule includes events of enormous history and prestige. Among its major championships is the US Women's Open, founded way back in 1949. The Women's PGA Championship celebrated its 70th anniversary this season, while the Chevron Championship and the Women's Open have been held since 1972 and 1976, respectively. The youngest major is the Evian Championship, which is a respectable 34 years old, although it has only been considered a major championship since 2013. Aside from the major championships, there are also other long-standing tournaments that attract a number of the world's best players each year. One of them is precisely the Women's Scottish Open, which has been held since 1986. The current edition will feature four players from the top 10 in the world rankings and 14 from the top 25. Other similar tournaments include the KPMC Women's Open, which has been held since 1973 and even held the status of a major championship for several years. Although not sanctioned by the LPGA Tour, the Women's Australian Open, founded in 1974, is another notable example. Augusta National Golf Club, host of the Masters Tournament, already organizes a women's tournament, the Augusta National Women's Amateur. It has also accepted several women as members, including LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam. More Golf: Tiger Woods Looks Fit Following Son Charlie at US Junior Amateur
The National
19 hours ago
- Health
- The National
Charley Hull aims to be fighting fit at Women's Scottish Open
Ahead of this week's ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, Hull went into so much detail about her recent virus, the golf writers could've scribbled an authoritative essay on the subject for The Lancet medical journal. It was no laughing matter, of course. The effects of her ailment caused her to collapse during the opening round of the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month and led to her withdrawal from the women's major. Cold sweats, aching joints, dizziness, a temperature that was through the roof, low blood pressure? You name it, Hull had it. 'I was on my 12th hole and in the bunker and I had to sit down for a minute because my eyesight went and my hearing went,' explained the 29-year-old. 'I got up, hit my bunker shot, finished the hole then walked to the next tee. I called the medics and before I hit my tee shot, my knees gave way and I collapsed. 'I got back up, hit my shot then walked off the tee and I don't really remember anything after that. My caddie said my eyes rolled to the back of my head and I was out for over a minute. 'Every time I stood up, I fainted. It was scary. A security guard and the medic caught me just before I was about to hit my head on a concrete slab. That's why I had to get stretchered out.' Hull looked in reasonable fettle as she blethered away to the media at Dundonald although the Solheim Cup mainstay reckons she's still only '80 per cent' fit. 'I'll take my time out there this week,' added Hull, who finished fifth at Dundonald 12 months ago. 'You probably won't see me strolling 30 yards ahead of everyone like I usually do. I'll probably be 30 yards behind everyone, but I'll get it done. 'It's been a bit frustrating. I was practising last week, and it felt like all the feelings had gone out of my swing. "The best way to describe it would be like when you have a hangover and the next day your hand-eye coordination is out.' Being devout disciples of the temperance movement, the golf scribes wouldn't know anything about that, Charley. Anyway, Hull is here and ready for an assault in a domestic showpiece that has attracted another terrific field. The line-up is headlined by the world No 1, Nelly Korda, who is competing in the Women's Scottish Open for the first time. A warm welcome? 'I'm cold,' shivered the Florida resident with a wry smile. Or was it a grimace? After a barnstorming 2024 campaign, which saw her win seven times during a glory-laden campaign, Korda is still seeking a breakthrough this season. 'Obviously, I would've loved to have lifted a couple of trophies by now,' said Korda, who has two seconds in 2025 including a joint runner-up finish at the US Women's Open. 'But it's golf. You never know what's going to happen.' Korda is only 26 but has been out on the tour for almost a decade. She's not quite ready for the senior circuit but the years do hurtle by. 'I definitely feel like a bit of a veteran out here,' added the two-time major champion. 'I see some girls who are born in 2004, 2003 and I'm like, 'oh, my gosh'. 'But I'm still enjoying it as much as I was in my rookie year.' For Scottish rookie, Hannah Darling, the journey is just beginning. The 21-year-old, who accumulated a vast haul of silverware in the amateur scene, confirmed her move into the paid ranks the other day and makes her professional debut here at Dundonald. Her Curtis Cup team-mate, Lottie Woad, also makes her first start as a pro and will be hoping it's business as usual. Woad's performances in professional events while still an amateur have been sensational. She won the Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour by six shots at the start of July and flirted with major glory at the Evian Championship before finishing third. Woad's feats have certainly given Darling plenty of food for thought. 'Lottie is incredible,' said Darling of her GB&I sparring partner. 'But the really cool thing for me is that I feel she is not far away from where I'm at. "She does a lot of things really well but, at the same time, she doesn't do other things any better than I do. It makes me feel confident about the next step.' Darling will be hoping to step out in style at Dundonald.
The Herald Scotland
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Charley Hull aims to be fighting fit at Women's Scottish Open
It was no laughing matter, of course. The effects of her ailment caused her to collapse during the opening round of the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month and led to her withdrawal from the women's major. Cold sweats, aching joints, dizziness, a temperature that was through the roof, low blood pressure? You name it, Hull had it. 'I was on my 12th hole and in the bunker and I had to sit down for a minute because my eyesight went and my hearing went,' explained the 29-year-old. 'I got up, hit my bunker shot, finished the hole then walked to the next tee. I called the medics and before I hit my tee shot, my knees gave way and I collapsed. 'I got back up, hit my shot then walked off the tee and I don't really remember anything after that. My caddie said my eyes rolled to the back of my head and I was out for over a minute. 'Every time I stood up, I fainted. It was scary. A security guard and the medic caught me just before I was about to hit my head on a concrete slab. That's why I had to get stretchered out.' Hull looked in reasonable fettle as she blethered away to the media at Dundonald although the Solheim Cup mainstay reckons she's still only '80 per cent' fit. 'I'll take my time out there this week,' added Hull, who finished fifth at Dundonald 12 months ago. 'You probably won't see me strolling 30 yards ahead of everyone like I usually do. I'll probably be 30 yards behind everyone, but I'll get it done. 'It's been a bit frustrating. I was practising last week, and it felt like all the feelings had gone out of my swing. "The best way to describe it would be like when you have a hangover and the next day your hand-eye coordination is out.' Being devout disciples of the temperance movement, the golf scribes wouldn't know anything about that, Charley. Anyway, Hull is here and ready for an assault in a domestic showpiece that has attracted another terrific field. The line-up is headlined by the world No 1, Nelly Korda, who is competing in the Women's Scottish Open for the first time. A warm welcome? 'I'm cold,' shivered the Florida resident with a wry smile. Or was it a grimace? After a barnstorming 2024 campaign, which saw her win seven times during a glory-laden campaign, Korda is still seeking a breakthrough this season. 'Obviously, I would've loved to have lifted a couple of trophies by now,' said Korda, who has two seconds in 2025 including a joint runner-up finish at the US Women's Open. 'But it's golf. You never know what's going to happen.' Korda is only 26 but has been out on the tour for almost a decade. She's not quite ready for the senior circuit but the years do hurtle by. 'I definitely feel like a bit of a veteran out here,' added the two-time major champion. 'I see some girls who are born in 2004, 2003 and I'm like, 'oh, my gosh'. 'But I'm still enjoying it as much as I was in my rookie year.' For Scottish rookie, Hannah Darling, the journey is just beginning. The 21-year-old, who accumulated a vast haul of silverware in the amateur scene, confirmed her move into the paid ranks the other day and makes her professional debut here at Dundonald. Her Curtis Cup team-mate, Lottie Woad, also makes her first start as a pro and will be hoping it's business as usual. Woad's performances in professional events while still an amateur have been sensational. She won the Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour by six shots at the start of July and flirted with major glory at the Evian Championship before finishing third. Woad's feats have certainly given Darling plenty of food for thought. 'Lottie is incredible,' said Darling of her GB&I sparring partner. 'But the really cool thing for me is that I feel she is not far away from where I'm at. "She does a lot of things really well but, at the same time, she doesn't do other things any better than I do. It makes me feel confident about the next step.' Darling will be hoping to step out in style at Dundonald.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
LPGA Star Minjee Lee Reveals 'Goal' With Career Grand Slam in Sight
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. LPGA star Minjee Lee will be looking to make history next week at the AIG Women's Open. The Australian is one of two players with a chance to complete the career Grand Slam with a win at Royal Porthcawl, according to LPGA rules. However, Lee disagrees. Speaking on the topic before playing this week in the Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, Lee expressed her disagreement with the Tour regarding completing the ultimate achievement in professional golf. "I think for me, like all five is the goal," she said, according to the transcripts of her pre-tournament press conference. "So I think it's just different for us because we have five (majors) and we don't have four. ... I just think for me, five is the goal." Minjee Lee of Australia poses with the trophy after winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship 2025 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco on June 22, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. Minjee Lee of Australia poses with the trophy after winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship 2025 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco on June 22, 2025 in Frisco, won the third leg of the Career Grand Slam a few weeks ago when she captured the Women's PGA Championship. She previously won the 2022 US Women's Open and the 2021 Amundi Evian Championship. In Gee Chun is the other player in the AIG Women's Open field with three previous wins at three different majors. However, the Korean hasn't won on the LPGA Tour since 2022 and hasn't finished in the top 10 in 12 tournaments played this season. In addition to Lee and Chun, two other active players are one step away from completing the career Grand Slam: Lydia Ko (needs the Women's PGA Championship or the US Women's Open) and Anna Nordqvist (needs the Chevron Championship or the US Women's Open). The Women's Career Grand Slam Controversy Although the LPGA Tour has recognized five major championships since 2013, its rules establish that any player who wins four different major championships in her career is considered to have completed the Career Grand Slam. Aussie golfer Minjee Lee has won her third major title by just three strokes in the Women's PGA Championship. — The Project (@theprojecttv) June 23, 2025 The issue has been controversial, but it has deep historical roots. Unlike its male counterpart, women's golf has not always had four major championships, but has fluctuated between two and five. For this reason, attempts have been made to harmonize all historical stages by creating the Career Grand Slam and the Super Career Grand Slam. The first term applies to players who have won four different major titles, and the second to those who have won five. Only seven players have completed the Career Grand Slam according to these terms: Pat Bradley, Juli Inkster, Annika Sörenstam, Louise Suggs, Karrie Webb, Mickey Wright and Inbee Park. Webb is the only Super Career Grand Slammer, according to the LPGA, having won five majors during her career, although one of them (due Maurier Classic) later lost its status as a major championship and became the current CPKC Women's Open. There is one notable exception missing from this list. Babe Zaharias won all three tournaments recognized as major championships in her playing days multiple times and never had the opportunity to compete in a fourth tournament with that status. More Golf: Scottie Scheffler's Chipotle Chat Uncovers Prize Beyond His Open Win
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
LPGA Tour poised to sparkle with reboot
As the LPGA Tour enters the back nine of its milestone 75th anniversary season, it is primed to capitalise on the global growth of women's golf -- thanks to recent leadership appointments and the continued rise of Asia‑Pacific golfers -- both of which should strengthen the tour's foundation for longevity and deepen its impact on its fans worldwide. In recent months, the LPGA named its 10th commissioner in 40-year-old Craig Kessler, whom the search committee was wowed by his passion for the women's game and, more importantly, by his astute vision to take the organisation forward through four key pillars he has outlined. Kessler, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, assumes his new role on July 15 and brings a broad range of leadership experience across sports and business, most recently serving as chief operating officer of the PGA of America. Closer to home, the LPGA appointed Chris Madsen as its new Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region, a critical market in its global strategy. The region will host eight tournaments this year, including upcoming stops in China, Korea (two), Malaysia and Japan beginning in October. Since Pak Se-Ri's historic triumph at the 1998 US Women's Open -- where she became the first Asian golfer, male or female, to win a major championship -- women's golf in Asia has flourished. Currently, seven Asia-Pacific players sit inside the top 10 of the season-long Race to CME Globe points list, led by No.1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, No.2 Minjee Lee of Australia and third-ranked Rio Takeda of Japan. Of the 17 tournaments played so far this year, 10 have been won by women from the region. "Asia is central to the LPGA's identity, not only because of the events we host there, but also because of the many world-class players from the region and our global corporate partners based there," said Liz Moore, who served as interim commissioner from December until Kessler's appointment. The effervescent Jeeno, 22, a five-time LPGA winner, is part of a new wave of Asian superstars, and the talent pipeline remains strong. Japan's Mao Saigo, Takeda, and Chisato Iwai have all secured wins in 2025, while Korea's Kim A-Lim, Kim Hyo-Joo, Ryu Hae-Ran, Lee Somi and Im Jin-Hee have also triumphed. Minjee Lee recently claimed her third major at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and Lydia Ko of New Zealand, the 2024 Olympic gold medallist, continues to be amongst the tour's marquee attractions. The talent pool is also set to deepen further. When the Amundi Evian Championship, one of five LPGA majors, tees off this week in France, all eyes will be on Malaysia's Mirabel Ting. The 19-year-old phenom turned professional last week and will make her debut after a stellar collegiate season at Florida State University, where she won five of nine starts and ended the season ranked No.1 in the US. Ting was awarded the 2025 Annika Award presented by Stifel, which granted her an exemption into the Evian field. "In my 25 years, she's [Ting] by far the best ball-striker I've ever seen," FSU head coach Amy Bond told Golf Week. The LPGA is also bolstering its development pathways. The newly launched LPGA Collegiate Advancement Pathway (LCAP) will create opportunities for top college golfers in the US to transition to the professional ranks, such as the Epson Tour. This complements the existing LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) which rewards top amateurs with LPGA memberships, mirroring the successful PGA Tour University model that has produced stars like Ludvig Aberg. Once Kessler officially begins his role, his priorities will be to build trust, raise the visibility of LPGA stars globally, grow the fan base, and solidify the tour's financial foundation. Among future plans is hosting the largest fundraising initiative in the tour's history, a 75th anniversary Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Resorts next January, in support of the LPGA Foundation's mission to inspire the next generation of female golfers. Kessler has also hit the road in recent weeks to hold discussions with stakeholders and players to shape the LPGA's next chapter. In golf, timing is everything, and for the LPGA, its 75th anniversary, also known as its Diamond Jubilee, arrives at a perfect moment. As the saying goes, diamonds are forever, and under Kessler's transformational leadership, women's golf looks set to sparkle for decades to come.
