[Golf Topic] LPGA Tour Players Gather in Texas "Craving Golf~"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○…The total prize money is only $50,000 (62 million KRW).

The Texas Women’s Open, held next month on the 2nd at Old American Golf Club near Dallas, Texas, is a regional tournament with a prize fund incomparable to the LPGA Tour. The winner’s prize is also just $10,000 (12.4 million KRW). It is surprising that Stacy Lewis (pictured), who has 12 career wins, 2016 US Women’s Open champion Brittany Lang (USA), and last year’s Australian Women’s Open winner C?line Boutier (France) are participating.

This is because the LPGA Tour was "shut down" due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. Moreover, this tournament overlaps with the US Women’s Open, so there was no chance for LPGA Tour players or even top amateur rankers to participate. The postponement of the US Women’s Open to December unexpectedly brought a windfall benefit. Cheyenne Knight and Jerina Piller (both USA), Maria Fassi (Mexico), and others joined to tune their competitive shot skills.

The LPGA Tour plans to resume the 2020 season starting with the Marathon Classic on July 23. However, there is a high probability that this will be canceled. Ohio, a hotly contested state in the US, currently bans outdoor events. A tournament official has already stated, "We will not hold matches without spectators." The next schedule includes European events such as the Evian Championship in August, the Scottish Women’s Open, and the Women’s British Open. Mike Whan, LPGA Tour Commissioner, expressed difficulty, saying, "The entry procedures between the US and Europe are complicated."