Germany’s Sophia Popov – ranked 304 in the world – completed a fairytale two-shot victoy in the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon. Picture by THE R&A

GERMANY’S Sophia Popov made history with a life-changing two-shot victory at the 2020 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon.

She closed with a magnificent final round of 68 to finish at seven-under par and claim the $675,000 first-place prize.

Looking unfazed throughout, Popov, who lead by three-strokes overnight, came into the week ranked 304 on the Rolex rankings.

By the end of it, she became the first German to win a women’s major championship and the highest-ranked player to capture the historic championship.

Popov joins an illustrious list of champions including Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam, Dame Laura Davies, Solheim Cup winning captain Catriona Matthew and Dorset’s Georgia Hall.

Popov said:“It is an incredible story, something I could not dream of a week ago.

“It is incredible that golf allows these things to happen and as one of 144 players this week, I just happened to have the week of my life.

“It is probably the best golf I have ever played.”

After the COVID-19 crisis forced the LPGA and Symetra Tours to shutdown, Popov played the Cactus Tour in America’s south west… she won three times in a month.

And the last of those wins came at.. you guessed it Troon North, at Scottsdale, Arizona.

From Cactus Tour to Royal Troon

THREE weeks ago the 27-year-old could never have dreamed of this moment as caddied for her best friend Anne Van Dam at the LPGA Drive On Championship.

Popov only qualified for the WBO courtesy of a tied ninth finish a week later.

A runner’s-up finish in Arizona last week on the Symetra Tour gave her some confidence – but no one predicted such a triumph, least of all Popov.

She said:“Everyone said, ‘how are you playing in Phoenix the week before The Open?’

“I said, ‘you know, my focus this year was still the Symetra Tour and that was more important to me as far as the Money List goes.’

“And I said, ‘I’m going to stick with the schedule that I had.’ The AIG Women’s Open to me was a bonus and I got here on Tuesday.

“I said ‘I know my game is in really good shape and anything’s possible.’ I think I took that belief with me to every round but I never expected this.”

Popov, who has her boyfriend on the bag, stumbled initially with a bogey at the first hole.

But she immediately bounced back with gains on the second, third and sixth, as Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura reeled her in with four consecutive birdies from the fifth hole.

Keeping her nose in front by one, Popov took control on the back-nine, helped by a pair of Suwannapura bogeys.

She stamped her authority on the tournament with a crucial par save from 10ft on the par-four 11^th hole before making birdies on the 15^th and 16^th to take her to eight-under.

Tears flow as Popov realises her dream on 18

HOLDING back the tears on the 18^th green, Popov defied the odds and triumphed against a world-class international field.

And despite a closing bogey, she was overwhelmed when her fellow professionals stormed the green showering her with Champagne.

“I’m glad I didn’t think about the prize money going down the 18^th hole,” she smiled.

“But I was a lot calmer than I thought I would be throughout the day. When I hit the green on the 17th, that is where the tension came in.”

Reflecting on the victory, Popov added: “It feels amazing. There’s a lot of hard work behind it, and a lot of struggles that I went through the last six years, especially health-wise.

“I’m just glad I was able to overcome everything and just keep my head in it. I think we are going to have a thorough celebration at the hotel, social distanced of course.

“But as soon as I get home, it will be a little more extensive.”

Suwannapura’s highest-ever finish in a Major

THAILAND’S Suwannapura recorded her highest finish in a Major, ending the tournament in solo second after a four-under round of 67.

She was followed closely in third by Australia’s Minjee Lee, who completed her week with a 69.

Seven-time major winner and former AIG Women’s Open champion Inbee Park, who won at nearby Turnberry, was a further two strokes back in solo fourth.

The 2015 champion threatened to play a bigger role in the early afternoon with five birdies on the front nine.

Unable to replicate that form on the back nine, Park made two further birdies and bogey on the 12^th to shoot a final round 66.

Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen increased her lead in the Race to Costa Del Sol rankings with a tied 11th finish.

She is more than 75 points ahead of her nearest rival, Spaniard Azahara Munoz, who jumped up from fourth place, courtesy of a top 40 finish.

The top Brit honours were shared between Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow and Yorkshire LPGA star Jodi Ewart-Shadoff and Derbyshire’s Mel Reid, who finished tied in 39th.

•For full results at the AIG Women’s Open click here.

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Georgia Hall hits her tee shot on the third hole at Royal Troon as Charley Hull looks on during a practice round ahead of the 2020 AIG Women’s Open. Picture by DAVID CANNON

GEORGIA Hall hopes to feed off her love of links golf and passion for the AIG Women’s Open as she goes in search of a second Major title at Royal Troon.

The 24-year-old is enjoying the buzz of the first women’s Major Championship of the year.

And its the event Hall memorably won in 2018 at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Given Royal Troon is set to present a similar links challenge, the Dorset player is relishing the task as a star-studded international field prepares to compete from Thursday.

With the AIG Women’s Open being played without spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hall said: “It’s lovely coming to an event knowing that you’ve won it and done the job in a Women’s Open.

“I look forward to this more than any other throughout the year.

“It’s always very special to see all the massive boards everywhere and it definitely feels like a Major.”

The R&A Women and Girls’ Golf ambassador added: “I think it’s an amazing venue at Royal Troon. I love links golf.

“I only bring the three-iron out once a year, and this is the week. So I can’t wait. I’ve heard it’s going to be windy, so it’s going to play extremely tough.”

Hull found some form playing the Rose Ladies Series, winning the £20,000 American Golf Order of Merit and getting in some links practice at Royal St George’s

Hull: Rose Series was good prep

WHILE fellow Solheim Cup winner Charley Hull is more familiar with parkland courses, the 24-year-old has experience of Royal Troon.

The Woburn pro, who hails from Kettering, played it in her early teens as an amateur in the Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship.

“I’m feeling good,” said Hull, who has posted five top-10s in Majors.

“I played Royal St George’s in the Rose Ladies Series about a month ago and that kind of got me in some links golf.

“The golf course is in great condition. The greens are rolling really nicely.

“I like it because it doesn’t look that long on the scorecard. But it has a lot of lay-up holes that leave longer irons into the greens. I quite like that because I’m a strong long-iron player.”

With Royal Troon hosting the AIG Women’s Open for the first time, Hull is especially looking forward to the challenge of the ‘Postage Stamp’ – the short eighth, which measures just 114 yards.

“It’s only a wedge,” said Charley. “It depends on the wind direction, so it’s a good birdie hole I think.

“There’s a lot more tricky holes out there, but it’s a cool little hole.”

Dame Laura Davies, making her 40th appearance in the championship, has the honour of striking the opening tee shot on Thursday morning at 6.30am.

Danielle Kang paid tribute to Dame Laura Davies, who is playing her 40th Women’s British Open this week at Royal Troon. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Kang pays tribute to Dame Laura Davies

WORLD No. 2 Danielle Kang has been the form player in recent weeks with back-to-back LPGA wins.

Kang, who came up just short in last week’s LPGA Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick, which was won by Stacey Lewis, paid tribute to the most successful British player in modern history.

“Dame Laura Davies is a legend, an absolute legend,” said Danielle. “And she’s a role model in how she approaches the game.

“How she plays the game is different – her style of golf is different. And she’s so strong in how she plays her game, yet so different and it’s so graceful.

“For her to be able to play this championship for 40 appearances, that is amazing. It tells you that you can do it for a long time, and golf gives us that.

“Any time she plays, I still watch from across the fairway. She’s our rock.”

Australia’s Hannah Green can’t wait to tackle Troon. The World No. 20 said: “My mum’s side of the family is from Scotland. They are up in Fraserburgh, which is about 45 minutes north of Aberdeen.

“My first actual trip to Scotland was in 2018, so not that long ago. I was then fortunate enough last year that I got to play St Andrews, but I had not actually been to this side of Scotland.

“I’m really excited to be here. I feel like I do have, you know, somewhat of an idea of links golf. I’m from Perth where it does get windy – but probably not the same scene as Troon.”

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno last year’s winner at Woburn Golf Club. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Cinderella Shibuno went to the ball and is back for more

DEFENDING champion Hinako Shibuno, from Japan, has promised the TV audience will at least see her beaming smile this week.

Shibuno lit up the galleries with her smile a year ago at Woburn, and was dubbed the “Smiling Cinderella.”

Hinako said: “I’ve always been conscious of keeping a smile on my face while I’m playing.

“But after winning the AIG Women’s Open last year, it made me realise, once again, the importance of playing with a smile.

“I’ve had a lot of experiences but nothing that tops my experience of winning the AIG Women’s Open.

“I’m going to have to play smart. But at the same time as defending champion, I’m going to enjoy it.”

Another past winner looking forward to the first Major of the year is Thailand’s Ariya Jutangarn.

The 2016 winner from Thailand, said: “As soon as I walked in, I felt like this is a Major, because everything is set up, especially the golf course.

“My caddie told me how great it is and how tough it is, how challenging it is. I think the first thing I learnt on links is patience.

“You really need to be patient because, especially the weather, you can’t control it. It can be windy. It can be raining. Anything can happen in one round.”

The staging of the AIG Women’s Open continues a rich history at Royal Troon, having hosted The Open on nine occasions.

It has also hosted events such as The Senior Open Championship, the Amateur Championship and the Women’s Amateur Championship.

•For further information visit www.AIGwomensopen.com

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Hanbury Manor’s Gabriella Cowley had to dig deep to claim her £5,000 winner’s cheque after winning the fifth Rose Ladies Series event at the JCB Golf & Country Club. Picture by LET

FORMER England international Gabriella Cowley, from Essex, dug in for the victory at the JCB Golf and Country Club, in Staffordshire.

Cowley’s round of 70 for a two-under par finish saw her enjoy a slender one shot winning margin over no fewer than six of her nearest rivals including LET stars Georgia Hall and Charley Hull.

Cowley has been in great form throughout the Series finishing third at the first event at Brokenhurst Manor.

And the 24-year-old has not finished outside the top-14 so far this summer.

A delighted Cowley, who survived a nervous finish after a stirring start, said: “This means a lot to me. I have worked extremely hard during lockdown.

“I changed my putter at the start of this week and was five-under-par through 15 holes and playing really well.

Gabriella added: “I did have a bad finish, but it does not matter now.

“I played really well, and a key highlight was making three consecutive birdies to start the back nine.

“The course was playing long and it is a tough test. But the condition of it was unbelievable and it was a really good set-up.”

Cowley, who won the £5,000 winners cheque, added: “The support from Justin and Kate Rose – and the sponsors putting these events on – means a lot to all of us. And it is great to now be a winner of one.

“Every event has been superb and its nice to be playing tournaments.

“These events and the win will give me a big confidence boost heading back into the restart of the Ladies European Tour season.”

Cowley holds off chasing pack

COWLEY, who is attached to Hertfordshire’s Hanbury Manor GC, finished ahead of a group of players tied for second position on one-under.

That pack included Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull, from Woburn, and Dorset’s Georgia Hall, plus last year’s Jabra Ladies Open champion Annabel Dimmock, from Wentworth, Scotland’s Heather MacRae, Aussie Whitney Hillier and Wales’ Chloe Williams.

Gabriella Cowley claimed her maiden professional win with victory in the Rose Ladies Series event

Cowley, who hails from Harlow, came up via Essex Ladies’ junior ranks. She turned pro in 2014 and has made 47 starts on the LET since her rookie year in 2016.

She produced two top 10s in 2019, her best results to date, having started on the LET Access Series in 2015 – just six years after taking up the game.

Hull announced that she will now not travel to play in the States when the LPGA resumes later this month.

Instead the Woburn G&CC ace will continue to play the remaining Rose Ladies Series events in the build-up to August’s AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Troon, with the LET’s Scottish Open, a week before at The Renaissance GC, in North Berwick.

Hull was originally planning to fly to the USA this week to meet the two-week quarantine required before playing in the Drive On Championship, in Toledo, on July 31.

The LPGA winner was then set to play in the Marathon Classic, also in Ohio.

But after winning the first Rose Ladies Series event at Brokenhurst Manor last month – followed by top sixes in the next three events – the 24-year-old from Kettering is targetting the American Golf Order of Merit.

Gemma Dryburgh – who won the last two events, including at Royal St George’s – has now flown back to America to rejoin the LPGA.

Paul McDonnell, Rose’s agent at Excel Sports who are running the series, said: “I’ve spoken to Justin and Kate and they are thrilled that Charley is to carry on playing.

“To have someone of Charley’s status is, of course, a big boost. We completely understand why Gemma felt she needed to be back on the LPGA Tour to fight for her playing status, and we wish her all the best.

“The series is going from strength to strength and is sure to get even more exciting.”

Worcestershire’s talented US college golfer Emily Price finished 15th in her first Rose Series event before she returns for her third year in the States, playing for Kent State University. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY.

Price made flying start at JCB

ONCE again there was another fine showing from the lone amateur in the field – Emily Price, the 2016 English Women’s Strokeplay champion.

Emily Price can take some pride from her round of 74 which saw the Kent State University student finish in 15th place.

The Ludlow Golf Club member got off to a flying start with a birdie at the opening hole in the fifth event in the Rose Ladies Series.

Bogeys at the fifth and eighth halted her charge, but another birdie at the par three, ninth hole allowed her to reach the turn in a level par total of 36.

A tough back nine for Price started with two bogeys at 10 and 11.

However, another birdie at the 12th, a run of five pars and a dropped shot at the last allowed her to sign for a score of two-over par.

Price, who started life as a member at Cleobury Mortimer GC, also claimed the Scottish Girls Open title and the English Girls Order of Merit in 2016.

She transferred from University of South Carolina in March to join Ohio’s KSU for her third and junior year in the NCAA.

•For full scores from the JCB club click here.

Berkshire’s Bearwood Lakes is one of the most highly-rated courses in the South

Two more before Grand Final at Wentworth

THE Rose Ladies Series features eight tournaments, culminating in the three-day Computacenter Grand Final.

It will be held across three courses, North Hants, The Berkshire and Wentworth’s West Course, from August 5-8.

There is a £35,000 prize fund for the Order of Merit, sponsored by American Golf with £20,000 for first, £10,000 for second and £5,000 for third place.

Next week, Gabriella Cowley and the rest of the ladies roll on to week six with an event at Bearwood Lakes GC, in Berkshire before the penultimate event at The Shire London, a week later.

The post Hot putter delivers maiden win for Gabriella Cowley in 5th Rose Ladies Series event appeared first on Golf North.

Lily May Humphreys took the lead with three holes to play in the Rose Ladies Series event – but Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

ESSEX’S Lily May Humphreys further underlined her career potential as she pushed for victory and fell just short of the winning total posted by Gemma Dryburgh in the third event of the Rose Ladies Series.

The 18-year-old England women’s international is no stranger to the top of leaderboards having won the 2019 Welsh and Irish Ladies Opens, the Annika Europe event.

And, just prior to lockdown in March, she reached the final of the Sunningdale Foursomes.

Coming down the stretch at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club, the teenager – one of only three amateurs in the field of 54 – harboured genuine dreams of winning her first professional event.

In the end, plus-six handicapper Humphreys had to settle for a one-under par round of 71 and a tie for fourth alongside Woburn’s LPGA winner Charley Hull.

Scotland’s Dryburgh carded six birdies in a round of 69 to edge one ahead of English duo Georgia Hall and Cara Gainer.

Gemma Dryburgh emerged victorious in the third Rose Ladies Series event. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

That was two clear of Humphreys in another fine all-round showing from England’s top women amateurs.

Ellie Gower also sealed a tie for eighth after a level-par round and Hertfordshire’s Hannah Screen recovered from two bad holes on the front nine to come home in 34 for a total of four-over par.

Humphreys in lead with three to go

HUMPHREYS proved to be a model of consistency on the front nine with eight straight pars.

The run ended on the ninth – not that the golfer from Stoke-by-Nayland GC was upset.

A birdie two on the 175-yard par three allowed her to reach the turn in 36.

A bogey five at the 10^th was swiftly remedied with a birdie at the next hole.

Another run of four pars then put England Golf’s 2019 Women and Girls’ Order of Merit winner firmly in contention for victory.

In fact, the Curtis Cup player was tied for the lead with three others after 15 holes.

She then took solo charge with another birdie two at the 161-yard 16^th hole as she moved to two-under.

A bogey five at the 17^th hole halted her charges.

Back-to-back birdies from Hall on the 13^th and 14^th holes allowed the 2018 Women’s British Open champion to take a familiar place at the top of the leaderboard – before being pipped in a dramatic finale.

Humphreys, though, can take great heart from her performance proving once again why she is ranked 18^th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Gower gave everything alongside Georgia

Ellie Gower – who plays for University of Colarado Boulder – played in the same group as runner-up Georgia Hall, the former Women’s British Open winner – and finished eighth. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

GOWER birdied the fifth, ninth and 14^th holes in a fine level-par 72 around a course that has been used for US Women’s Open qualifiers.

The 17-year-old can be proud of ending the day in a tie for eighth.

For the second week running in this series, two England amateurs have achieved top 10 finishes.

Last week sisters Samantha and Annabell Fuller finished tied for second and seventh respectively at Moor Park Golf Club.

Gower, studying at the University of Colorado Boulder, didn’t panic after dropping three shots in her first three holes.

In fact she displayed skill and heart to bounce back into contention while playing in a group also containing former British Open champion Hall, and Chloe Frankish, who joined Gower on level-par.

Screen, who moved to Oklahoma University as a junior in September, was left to rue two disappointing holes on her front nine as she made a competitive return to golf after lockdown.

The England Women’s Overseas Squad player counted the cost of slips at the first and seventh holes en route to a round of 76.

Birdies at the fifth, 11^th and 15th holes, as well as the experience of teeing it up alongside Hull and Essex’s Gabriella Cowley will stand the 20-year-old Oklahoma University student in good stead as she heads to next week’s Faldo Series event at Brockett Hall.

•The Rose Ladies Series continues next week with a visit to Royal St George’s Golf Club, at Sandwich, in Kent – the venue for the 2021 Open Championship.

Final scores from The Buckinghamshire click here

Hannah Screen bounced back after some errors on the front nine but came home in 34. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

The post Dryburgh wins third Rose Ladies Series event as Lily May Humphreys goes close appeared first on Golf North.

Georgia Hall has entered this month’s Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open, which has been organised by fellow LET player Liz Young. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

WOMEN’S British Open winner Georgia Hall will make a short trip from her Dorset home to Brokenhurst Manor, when the New Forest club hosts its Women’s Open, later this month.

The new event – which has also attracted entries from LET winners Meghan MacLaren and Wentworth’s Annabel Dimmock – is the brain child of Brokenhurst pro Liz Young and club head pro Jason MacNiven.

Hall, who won her first Major two years ago at Royal Lytham, and the other LET stars are to take part in the behind-closed-doors event on June 18.

Young, who joined the LET in 2009 after a successful spell playing American college golf, said: “The aim is to find a way to put on a tournament for women’s professionals, so that we can be competitive again – and have the chance to earn a little money in these uncertain times

She is also very keen to to boost the profile of the women’s game and is hoping either the BBC or Sky Sports will cover the event, which has the unofficial backing of the Ladies European Tour.

“It is so important that women’s sport is visible,” Liz added. “There was controversy a few weeks ago over the first golf in the US being men’s only.

“Because golf is a sport that can be played safely now it is key that the women get exposure, too.”

Among the other players who have paid the £125 entry fee which will enable the organisers to offer a prize fund are Wales’ Amy Boulden and Gabriella Cowley, from Essex.

Liz Young who has organised the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Could Brokenhurst Open be on TV?

THE organisers believe the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open can help meet the lack of live sports for TV viewers to watch.

Most women’s team sports have seen their regular season in the UK curtailed, and the cricket season unable to start yet because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Young said: “I know people would love to watch live sport because there is so little. I would say to the likes of BBC and Sky that this a professional event with some big names, it is going to be good to watch.

“It would also be an opportunity for people who are new to women’s golf to see just how good our game is.

“That is why it would be amazing if we could get this on television.”

The event will adhere to government guidelines.

“Caddies must be from the same household as the player,”added Young, who has an advantage on that front as she is married to Jon Young, the former Hampshire county player, who has also been her regular caddy.

Liz said: “The great thing about this event is that you have a Major winner like Georgia, and then girls who have won multiple times on the LET – but anybody could win. That is what is great about golf.”

While not an officially sanctioned LET event, it is open to any female professionals in the UK, with Young keen to get as many female professionals involved as possible.

Brokenhurst Manor in the New Forest will stage its Women’s Open on June 18

LPGA planning return in July

THE LET and LPGA members who enter will get a chance to knock off some rust from their clubs before a return of the big two tours.

Both are still hopeful the AIG Women’s British Open will take place at Royal Troon, from August 20-23.

The other European women’s Major – the Evian Championship – has already been rescheduled to tee off at the Evian Resort on the French side of Lake Geneva, on August 6.

The Evian was moved back from July when the Women’s Olympic Golf tournament was cancelled.

The two tours having the two biggest events in Europe staged within three weeks will help the American-based LPGA players – and the best players from Asia – travel to the UK for the Women’s Open if there is a 14-day quarantine requirement.

The LET has so far called off three events in May, and two more in July, including events, in Belgium, Morocco, Spain, and Sweden.

And the two events which were planned before the original Evian date – the Dutch and Mediterranean Ladies Opens were also postponed.

The LPGA is now scheduled to return in the third week of July after the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational was withdrawn from the revised 2020 schedule, on May 15.

Revised LPGA 2020 schedule

Key: Major championships in bold

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Last year’s Major Champions Invitational winners with Sir Nick Faldo, who has amassed 16 legends from the game to act as captain’s at next week’s 2020 championship in Arizona

SEVENTY-TWO junior golfers from around the world will compete at in next week’s third edition of the Major Champions Invitational, at Arizona’s Lookout Mountain Golf Club.

The players will be split into teams of four – each captained and mentored by one of 18 Major champions.

England’s North East stars Jess Baker (Gosford Park Ladies) and Whitley Bay’s Rosie Belsham have the dream pairing, working with Dorset’s Solheim Cup winner Georgia Hall, while Leo Goosen – son of two time US Open Champion Retief – is in Team Stewart.

http://www.golfsouth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Welcome-to-the-2020-MCI-Presented-by-Golf-Saudi..mp4

The Goosens lost out in a three-way play-off against Bernhard Langer and Tom Lehman, in the PNC Father and Son competition, at Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton GC, in December.

But this time Goosen junior, who plays for Orlando’s Lake Highland Preparatory School, and plays on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, will be partnered with Argentina’s Tiago Barni, Venezuela’s Gabriel Restepo and China’s Ariel Yu.

With some of golf’s best players, past and present, as team captains, including 18-time Major champion Jack Nicklaus and current World No. 1 Brooks Koepka, the event is set to be the biggest in its short history.

Other Major champions involved include current PGA Tour stars such as 2016 US Open Champion Dustin Johnson and 2017 PGA Champion Justin Thomas, 10-time women’s Major champion Annika Sorenstam, 2018 Women’s British Open Champion Georgia Hall and 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson.

The tournament was conceived by World Golf Hall of Famer and six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo as part of his desire to provide more opportunities to young golfers, in addition to his already well-established Faldo Series events.

The Major Champions Invitational has an actioned-packed schedule.

The juniors taking part will experiencing tournament conditions usually afforded to the best players in the world.

Sir Nick Faldo said: “It is great to be back for another year of the Major Champions Invitational.

“Thanks to some very generous Major champions, as well as our sponsors Golf Saudi, we have been able to take the event to a whole new level.

“We also have a few special treats up our sleeves for the players, which should add to the whole experience,” added Sir Nick, who won three Claret Jugs at The Open, and three Green Jackets at the Augusta Masters between 1987 and 1996.

“Ultimately, it’s about inspiring the next generation by building a connection between them and some of their heroes,” said Faldo.

“With the success of last year’s individual Champions on the amateur circuit in 2019, we’re hopeful the event concept is really starting to reap rewards.”

The participants will play four rounds of golf, including three in competition, get front-row seats to Sir Nick’s clinic, as well as the chance to meet with a selection of their golfing heroes.

The on-course action will unfold at Phoenix’s Lookout Mountain Golf Club – located between picturesque Sonoran Desert and Phoenix North Mountains.

The course, built in 1989, is a nine-time recipient of Golf Digest’s Four-Star Award and has been ranked in the Top 10 golf courses in Arizona.

•To see the full field click here.

Conor Gough and Annabell Fuller were crowned 2019 Major Invitational champions

The 2019 Major Champions Invitational individual awards were won by Stoke Park’s Conor Gough and Roehampton’s Annabell Fuller, as part of Team Hall.

Gough went on to become second-ever youngest English Amateur Champion at just 16 – Hampshire’s Harry Ellis who broke Sir Nick Faldo’s record set at 18 in 1975 was just four days younger than Gough.

The B.B.&O. England international has since represented Great Britain and Ireland at the Walker Cup, while Fuller played for Europe at the Junior Solheim Cup.

Other British players in this year’s field, looking to succeed Gough and Fuller, are Scottish quartet Gregor Graham, Carmen Griffiths, Evanna Hynd and Ruben Lindsay, who are in Team Watson.

Surrey’s Rhys Williams, a member at Foxhills Golf & Country Club, is in Team Ballesteros, while Dorset’s Louise Burke, is in Team Faldo.

The 2019 team competition was won by Team Annika, led by Annika Sorenstam.

The full list of team captains at the 2020 Major Champions Invitational is:–

• Sir Nick Faldo
• Jordan Spieth
• Tom Watson
• Dustin Johnson
• Justin Thomas
• Brooks Koepka
• Seve Ballesteros
• Payne Stewart
• Adam Scott
• Henrik Stenson
• Jack Nicklaus
• Se Ri Pak
• Ariya Jutanugarn
• Nancy Lopez
• Georgia Hall
• Danielle Kang
• Annika Sorenstam
• Michelle Wie
  

  Last year’s winning team with Annika Sorenstam (right) and Sir Nick Faldo (left)

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Costa del Sol and Andalucia’s Tourism organisation representatives with Ladies European Tour officials announcing the new LET Race to Costa del Sol and a bigger prize fund for the 2020 Open de España Femenino, at Marbella’s Aloha Golf Club. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

NEXT year’s Ladies European Tour Order of Merit will be branded the Race to Costa Del Sol while the season-ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino, will see its prize fund increase from €300,000 to €600,000, it was announced today (Tuesday).

AFTER much speculation about the Ladies European Tour’s future since the Solheim Cup – amid reports of takeover talks with the LPGA – the major new sponsorship deal backed by the Spanish government’s Tourism departments has been agreed with the LET.

With continuing debate over the disparity of the prize money on offer in the women’s game compared to the male counterparts on the European Tour – who have played for $7.5million just for the winners of the last three events on the Race to Dubai – the doubling of a whole LET prize fund is still small beer when one player can win €2.7million alone by winning the final Rolex Series event of the season.

But in addition to the increased prize money at the final event of next year’s new Race to Costa del Sol, there will be a bonus pool for the top three LET players, with €125,000 going to the winner of the 2020 Order of Merit.

The players who finsh second and third on the money list will receive €75,000 and €50,000 respectively, in what is definitely a much-needed shot in the arm for those players looking to play on the world stage.

This year’s Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino is being played at Aloha Golf Club, in Marbella, starting on Thursday.

It was at Aloha this week, that the Ministry of Tourism of the Junta de Andalucía, Turismo Costa del Sol, Acosol – Commonwealth of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol Occidental, and the municipalities of Benahavís and Marbella, unveiled their support for the new funding.

The Race to Costa del Sol will showcase the tourism excellence of both the Costa del Sol and Andalusia while providing a major incentive for the LET players.

Since the LET’s chief executive Mark Lichtenhein stood down in September, the women’s professional game in Europe has been in the hands of Alexandra Armas, who previously served as the LET’s executive director and chief executive, between July 2005 and December 2012.

The outgoing chief executive, who has worked in senior roles at the European Tour over the past two decades, helped overhaul the LET’s governance procedures to bring them into line with other professional sports, and review the Tour’s business model for 2020 and beyond.

Lichtenhein also helped bring in new tournaments, including new LET and LET Access Series events in Spain, France and the Czech Republic in 2019.

There has also been new formats tournaments with the 2019 Jordan Mixed Open featuring LET, Challenge Tour and Staysure players, plus the Dubai Moonlight Classic played under the lights in the United Arab Emirates.

The London recruitment firm seeking Lichtenhein’s successor has a brief to find a leader who can address the issue of increasing prize funds across the LET schedule and increasing the number of tournaments.

The new chief executive will be also responsible for leading the LET’s involvement in the 2023 Solheim Cup – working with the next so far un-named European host.

The LET declined to discuss reports in national newspapers about talks with the LPGA about strengthening the Ladies European Tour – but leaving it as a probable “feeder” tour with more of its top players like Georgia Hall and Charley Hull heading to the States and the Far East, where the LPGA is growing its own schedule.

But LET chairwoman Marta Figueras-Dott did praise the outgoing chief executive’s work in September.

She said: “There has been a significant transformation in the professionalism of the LET under Mark’s guidance.

“This has been a key stage in our development. I am delighted Mark will always have a link to the Ladies European Tour as one of our honorary members.”

•For live scoring at this week’s Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino click here.

Former Ladies European Tour chief executive Mark Lichtenhein at the Solheim Cup – his replacement will need to work closely with the 2023 host venue. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

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Norway’s Suzann Pettersen (left) and Holland’s Anne Van Dam walk off the seventh green during Friday afternoon foursomes against the USA. Picture by MATTHEW LEWIS

EUROPE will take a narrow one point lead into the second day of the 16^th Solheim Cup at the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles.

The home team are 4½-3½ in front heading into the second series of foursomes and fourballs.

But it is the American team who have momentum on their side after a dramatic finish to the day in which they came from behind to salvage halves in both of the last two fourball matches.

The home side took a slender 2½-1½ lead into the fourballs. But it disappeared when in the second match on the course Ally McDonald and Angel Yin – both left out of the morning foursomes – took just 13 holes to beat Swedish duo Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall 7&5.

The Americans good off to a fast start with birdies at the first three holes and they also birdied the fifth, ninth, 10th and 11th to increase that advantage to seven.

Nordqvist did get one hole back with a birdie at the 12^th before McDonald, a late replacement for the injured Stacy Lewis, closed out the match with a par on the next.

The 7&5 score tied the record for the biggest margin of victory in a Solheim Cup fourball, set by one of this year’s US vice-captains – Pat Hurst – and her partner Rosie Jones in their match against Lisa Hall and Sophie Gustafson, at Muirfield Village, in 1998.

“That was the year I was born,” laughed a delighted Yin. “I would say we’re ham and eggs.

“We’ve always got each other’s back, no matter what, and we work together as a team, communicate well. We’re just such a good pairing.”

Her partner McDonald added: “When Juli called me in to replace Stacy, I knew it could go either way, so to be able to go into my first match and get a point for the US means a lot.”

The USA won the first fourball series 4-0 two years ago in Iowa.

But any hopes they had of replicating that feat disappeared when the veteran Swede, Suzann Pettersen, and the rookie Dutchwoman, Anne Van Dam, beat Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas 4&2.

It was a significant win for Pettersen because it was her ninth Solheim Cup fourball victory, tying the European record, held by Laura Davies.

“I just want to say I had the best partner in the world,” said the Norwegian.

“I told you we don’t have any rookie on the team. I mean, this girl, I think she’s the best golfer I’ve ever seen on the women’s side. Today, she was an absolute rock star.”

Van Dam added: “Walking through that tunnel, especially to play with Suzann, who has been my idol growing up, for her to say, ‘Let’s enjoy this,’ that is what I was going to do.

“I was just hitting it solid from the beginning. It is not an easy golf course.

“Even from the tee you have to hit it in the fairway. If I hit it in the rough I lose my advantage a little bit from the tee, but it was great.

“I’m happy I played well and I was happy and comfortable around Suzann.”

At that stage, the Europeans were one point clear of the Americans.

And that is how it remained when Lexi Thompson holed a curling 25-foot birdie putt across the last green to secure a halve for her and partner Jessica Korda against Bronte Law and Carlota Ciganda.

Then, in the final match, and with the sun starting to set at the end of a long but riveting day, the Europeans, Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz, also lost the last to a birdie to tie their match with Nelly Korda and Brittany Altomare.

The Europeans had been four up with five to play. This time it was rookie Altomare who did the damage, also holing out from long range to keep her side within one point of their rivals.

“Those two half points at the end of the day were huge,” said US captain Juli Inkster.

European captain, Catriona Matthew at the 10th tee during Friday morning foursomes. Picture by MARK RUNNACLES

“For two rookies (Nelly Korda and Altomare) to be four down with five holes left and come back and tie, you can’t teach that.

“It’s just in your belly. I’m just so impressed with them. It was a great end to the day.”

European captain Catriona Matthew said: “Obviously, we got off to a great start in the foursomes. Our objective was to win every session.

“The finish wasn’t what we were looking for, everyone’s a little disappointed with that, but I think you have to take the positives.

“We’re leading. We’re a point up. If we’re leading at the end of each day, that would be great.”

Matthew sticks with three pairings

CATRIONA MATTHEW has named three unchanged pairs for the second series of Solheim Cup foursomes.

The Scot brings back Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier and Charlie Hull and Azahara Munoz after both pairs won on the first morning.

Carlota Ciganda and Bronte Law also return after halving their first foursomes match. The newcomers are Anna Nordqvist and Anne Van Dam.

The American captain Juli Inkster has rung the changes in an effort to make up the 4½-3½ overnight deficit.

She has given a second foursomes start to sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda who won on the first morning and also Morgan Pressel and Marina Alex who supplied a half point against Ciganda and Law.

The new American pairings are Lizette Salas and Ally McDonald and Danielle Kang and Megan Khang.

The first match on the course at 8.10am will feature Nordqvist and Van Dam against Pressel and Alex.

They are followed by Hall and Boutier against Salas and McDonald at 8.22am, Hull and Munoz against Kang and Khang at 8.34am and Ciganda and Law against the Korda sisters at 8.46am.

For live scoring from day two click here.

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Packed crowds gather at Gleneagles for the opening day of the Solheim Cup 2019. Image credit: Getty Images

Europe edged a thrilling opening day of The 2019 Solheim Cup which ended 4½-3½ after a tense afternoon fourballs session at Gleneagles on Friday.

On a day which began with the biggest and loudest first tee ever seen at a Solheim Cup, Europe claimed the opening session 2½ points to 1½ and shared the spoils in the afternoon as the fourballs ended 2-2.

It could have been a larger margin were it not for Lexi Thompson holing a putt from 18 feet to win the 18^th with Jessica Korda and grab a half from Carlota Ciganda and Bronte Law, and then Nelly Korda and Brittany Altomare snatched an unlikely half against Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz.

Team Europe’s Bronte Law and Carlota Ciganda take a 1/2 point in the afternoon fourball. Image credit Getty Images

The English-Spanish duo had been up since the fifth hole but their lead – they were four up after 14 holes – was eroded as they lost the last three holes.

Earlier in the afternoon, Ally McDonald and Angel Yin inflicted the heaviest ever Solheim Cup fourball defeat on Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall, a 7&5 drubbing to level the match.

Europe restored their advantage when wildcard pick Suzann Pettersen and rookie Anne Van Dam delivered a 4&2 win over Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas. In doing so, Pettersen equalled Laura Davies’ record for Team Europe of nine fourball wins.

But the momentum was undoubtedly in favour of the Americans, who at one stage looked likely to lose three of the four afternoon matches.

USA Captain Juli Inkster said: “No one really ever talks about the half point. I have to say those two half points at the end were huge. For two rookies to be four down with five holes left and to come back and tie, you can’t teach that. It’s just in your belly. I’m just so impressed with them.

Thompson and Korda high five for Team USA on day one of the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Image credit Getty Images

“We’ve just got to keep the Europeans in our rearview mirror, so we can see them. You don’t want to get too far down. It was looking like we could be two and a half points down, but you keep gnawing a half a point here and there and it adds up. You look at all the golf today and we’re only a point down, so I’m very pleased with where we’re at right now.”

Catriona Matthew, the European Captain, said: “I’d be lying if I said it was what we were looking for. But I think you have to take the positives and we’re leading. We’re a point up. If we’re leading at the end of each day, that would be great.

“I think everyone’s a little disappointed, but Charley had a great putt on the last, it was just a little firm. Brittany holed up and made a great birdie. It’s not as if we lost it with bad play; the others birdied it. We’re pleased with going in with a one-point lead.”

In the morning session, having been sent off down the first fairway of the PGA Centenary Course by a deafening crowd, Ciganda and Law, in the first group, finished all square with Morgan Pressel and Marina Alex. Ciganda holed a brilliant putt for a two on the par three 17^th and then finished off an excellent up-and-down on 18.

Just behind them in match two, Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier won 2&1 against Thompson and Altomare, but the Korda sisters – Jessica and Nelly – put some red on the board with a thumping 6&5 win over Caroline Masson and Jodi Ewart Shadoff.Ei

In the final match of the session, Hull and Munoz closed out a 2&1 victory over Megan Khang and Annie Park after a tense back nine.

Solheim Cup 2019 Day 2 – Saturday Foursomes. Image credit Getty Images

The post Solheim Cup Day 1: Europe 41/2 – 31/2 USA appeared first on Golf North.

European fans at a practice round. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

THE Ladies European Tour’s TRISTAN JONES and PHIL INGLIS have been capturing the best shots from the official practice days at the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles… with the players and the crowds making a very colourful spectacle even before a ball has even been struck…

We will be bringing you the best action from Scotland over all three days…

KORDA SISTERS SET TO MAKE SOLHEIM CUP HISTORY

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