LPGA 'Post-COVID-19 Aftermath'... "Bitter Scene of Playing in Mini Tours"

LPGA Tour Indefinite Hiatus, Nordqvist and Olson "Adjusting Real-Game Shot Sense at Cactus Tour"

'LPGA career 8-time winner' Anna Nordqvist is maintaining her competitive edge by playing in mini-tours.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a bitter scene.

This is about the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, which has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Following the cancellation of the 'Asian Swing' last month, and with mainland U.S. tournaments being postponed one after another this month, players are flocking to mini-tours. On the 19th (Korean time), names such as Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Amy Olson, and Tiger Woods' nephew, Cheyenne Woods (all from the U.S.), appeared at the 10th Cactus Tour event held at Moon Valley Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Cactus Tour is a mini-tour where players pay a participation fee of $500 each, and the tournament expenses are covered from the players' money before awarding prize money. The total prize money and the winner's prize depend on the number of participants. The winner's share is roughly between $2,000 and $4,000. While large-scale tournaments such as the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour are facing disruptions due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the Cactus Tour, which has fewer participants, has held all nine tournaments so far this year.

The reason top-level players participate in mini-tours is to maintain their competitive edge. Carlota Ciganda (Spain), a two-time LPGA winner, won the 7th event last month. Nordqvist, who has eight wins including two majors, also competed in the men's mini-tour Moon Valley Classic held at Moon Valley Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona, which started on the 10th. She showed formidable skill by shooting 8 under par in the first round.

It was even more surprising that she used the same tees as the male players. She said, "Due to COVID-19, I have no choice but to play in mini-tours," and added, "Playing with male players is also fun." The LPGA Tour postponed three tournaments scheduled until early April: the Volvik Founders Cup, the Kia Classic, and the season's first major, the ANA Inspiration. Mike Whan, LPGA Tour Commissioner, said, "We will reschedule the three tournaments within this year," but the possibility of resumption remains uncertain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.