[Golf Topic] LPGA Tour "January Orlando Season Opener with Spectators~"

Mike Whan LPGA Commissioner

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…The U.S. Women's Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour will kick off the 2021 season with events allowing spectators.

On the 30th (Korean time), it was announced that "the new season will begin with the Diamond Resort Tournament of Champions held over four days starting January 21 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, at the Four Seasons Golf Club." This tournament is the 'champion of champions' event where only the winners of LPGA Tour events from the past two years compete for the title. In its inaugural year in 2018, Ji Eun-hee (34, Hanwha Q CELLS) became the first champion, and this year, Gaby Lopez (Mexico) claimed the victory.

The players form teams with famous figures such as sports stars from other disciplines or celebrities to compete. The celebrities' scores are separately tallied using a modified Stableford scoring system. Legendary pitchers like Roger Clemens and John Smoltz are also participating next year. A limited number of galleries will be admitted. The LPGA Tour stated, "For the health of all participants, we will follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and implement thorough daily quarantine measures."