This week in ladies golf: New sponsor for the British Open, Lee6 makes LPGA decision
American International Group (AIG) will become the new sponsor of the Women’s British Open starting from 2019, taking over from Ricoh after their 11-year deal with the tournament came to an end at Royal Lytham & St Annes earlier this year.
Under the new partnership, the tournament will now be known as the AIG Women’s British Open, beginning next year at Woburn.
For the British public, AIG – the US-based finance and insurance company – are best known in sport for sponsoring Manchester United Football Club for four seasons from 2006, and now the company are making their first foray into golf.
“This championship is an iconic tournament combining tradition, world-class golf and a diverse global audience that reflects all of AIG’s stakeholders,” said the company’s president and CEO Brian Duperreault.
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, added: “AIG’s support will help us continue to grow and develop the championship even further and ensure it continues to be a truly world-class sporting event. The championship is also a fantastic showcase for women’s golf and supports our goal of encouraging more women and young girls to take up the sport.”
Georgia Hall will defend her title at the Marquess Course at Woburn from August 1-4. Ariya Jutanugarn, the current World No. 1, won the British Open the last time the tournament was played at the same course in 2016.
Lee6 on the move
South Korea’s Jeong Eun Lee6 won the LPGA’s Q-Series at Pinehurst last month and, as we previously reported, she had yet to decide if she would take up her LPGA card.
According to her management company, Lee6 has finally made the decision and she will join up with the LPGA in 2019.
She’ll be looking to follow in the footsteps of Jin Young Ko, who won on her very first start as an LPGA member at the Australian Open at the beginning of this season.
Viral Van Dam
Following her win at the Ladies European Tour’s season-finale last week, Anne Van Dam was keen to let the world know that she has already started preparation for her LPGA debut next year.
Winter work started!! pic.twitter.com/CsfOvFLPPg
— Anne van Dam (@Annevandam) November 30, 2018
Within a day of posting, the video had already been viewed over one million times on Twitter!
Pretty crazy posted this video yesterday and over 1 millions views today ? pic.twitter.com/Z8uDJX9WCe
— Anne van Dam (@Annevandam) December 1, 2018
Could Van Dam possess the best swing in women’s golf?
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