LPGA Tour Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan confirmed during her “State of the LPGA” press conference Thursday at the CME Group Tour Championship that the Ladies European Tour player body will vote next week on a proposal to merge the two tours that has already received unanimous approval from both the LPGA and LET boards.

The Nov. 21 vote will take place at an annual meeting of LET players ahead of their tour’s season finale, the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De España, with the LET board recommending to players that they vote in favor of the merger. The proposal requires a 60-percent approval of the LET membership to pass. If it does, Marcoux Samaan said there would be some final details to iron out, but LET players have been told the deal is expected to become official by the end of the year.

Under the initial three-year period of the merger, the two tours would continue much like they do today. The Ladies European Tour would retain its name and maintain its own tournament schedule independent of the LPGA Tour, with a handful of co-sanctioned events continuing to be operated during the year. The LET would maintain a headquarters in Europe.

However, the two would work jointly in oversight of the LET and in developing revenue opportunities that could be mutually beneficial to all. The LPGA intends to pursue enhanced commercial opportunities with existing and new tour sponsors.

Since Marcoux Samaan took over as LPGA commissioner in 2021, she has openly discussed the potential benefits of a merger as the next step between the LPGA and LET after they entered into a strategic alliance four years ago.

“I think we’ve been in this joint venture with the LET since 2019. That was obviously before my time, but the goal was to be able to work together to have a collaborative women’s golf ecosystem and to build women’s golf in Europe,” Marcoux Samaan said. “It’s been really successful.”

Marcoux Samaan did not reveal specifics of what a merger would entail, but the terms, which would be in place for the initial three years, were laid out in detail in a memo sent to LET players on Nov. 3 ahead of the vote, a copy of which was obtained by Golf Digest.

According to the memo, LET assets, including all intellectual property, would be put into the previously created Ladies European Golf Venture Limited (LEGV) created and operated by the LPGA since 2019. The LET, however, would keep its current cash. In turn, the LPGA would ensure that $1.25 million annually is available to the LET during the first three years of the partnership “for tournament prize funds, television, player support services and growth.”

The memo also states that the LET will target a minimum of 30 events annually, focused in Europe and supported by other events in the rest of the world, with a targeted minimum prize fund of €300,000 per event. The schedule would be developed by the LET CEO, subject to the approval of the LPGA commissioner.

In terms of administration, the LPGA Board would establish an LET Committee composed of four LET representatives and five LPGA representatives. There will be two LET player directors, two LET independent directors, two LPGA player directors, two LPGA independent directors, and the LPGA Commissioner. The LET Committee will “provide advice and guidance on the tour’s business, to provide recommendations regarding the operation of the tour (such recommendations will be given due consideration by the LPGA Board).”

After the initial three years, the memo notes that the LPGA “will have the freedom to determine its preferred governance structure in relation to the LET.” The memo states that the LPGA Board intends to diversify its board with representatives from Europe and “continue with the structure of the Players’ Council and the LET committee for as long as the LPGA deems them to be effective and appropriate to support the tour.”

As Golf Digest previously reported, the top four players on the LET Order of Merit at the end of the year who don’t already have status on the LPGA Tour would earn tour cards for the next season. The top 15 would also receive entry into LPGA Q Series, where they would have the opportunity to earn LPGA tour cards.

According to the memo to LET players, the current practices for “the management, qualification and selection of Team Europe” for the Solheim Cup would remain in place with the LET Committee having “oversight of the promoter and location section for European editions of the event. Net proceeds from when Europe hosts the Cup would be reinvested into the LET.

Under the strategic alliance between the LPGA and LET agreed to in 2019, the two tours have run the LET on a 50-50 basis through LEGV. During that time, the LET has experienced rapid growth. Marcoux Samaan recounted that the LET’s total purse in 2019 was £11 million, with less than 20 events. This year, they’re at more than £30 million with more than 30 events.

The successful alliance, however, does not guarantee that the vote of LET members will pass. If the LET did not approve the merger, and either came up with new terms or remained in the current strategic alliance, Marcoux Samaan would not speculate on what happens then.

“The expectation is we hope that they will. I think this makes sense for everybody,” Marcoux Samaan said. “If not, we’ll get back together with the LET board and figure out next steps. I think at this point we’re looking forward to getting that done and moving forward.”

Image: Ramsey Cardy

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Decades past have seen relatives shine in their mutual sports, harnessing talent, fulfilling potential, firmly establishing themselves as household names forever engrained in the nation’s sporting folklore.

The Ella brothers, Mark and Glen, made a significant impact on the rugby union scene in the 1980s. They represented the Wallabies for years, with younger sibling Gary following their footsteps soon after. In the 1990s, the Waugh twins, Mark and Steve, excelled in first-class cricket, becoming key members of the 1999 Cricket World Cup-winning side.

The Rio 2016 Summer Olympics were also a scene of special significance. Seven sets of Australian siblings competed on the grandest stage in Brazil, where the Campbell combination of Cate and Bronte won gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

Other notable families include the Abletts in Aussie Rules, the Konrads in swimming, and the Reddys in rugby league. All made their mark in Australia’s history books.

Right now in the present, another family is honouring this proud and enduring sporting tradition synonymous with Down Under: Minjee Lee and her brother, Min Woo. Hailing from Perth, both are professional golfers. The two are flourishing on their respective tours, flying the flag for family and country.

In fact, few stories in the world of golf are as inspiring and fascinating as theirs. Best friends with an unbreakable bond, Minjee credits a large portion of her success to her brother — who secured his third professional win just a fortnight ago, adding the Macao Open to his two European Tour titles.

Min Woo Lee. Asian Tour

Minjee, the women’s world No. 4 and two-time major champion, elaborated on their relationship at the Aramco Team Series — Riyadh.

“Whenever I see him, I feel like it’s a little bit more motivation for me to step up my game and perform as best as I can,” Minjee said.

“I think Min Woo has a bit more of a rivalry with me than I do him, but I’ll always be his biggest supporter and I know he’s mine as well. It’s always nice to see your family do well.

“I’m grateful that we’re both living our dream and playing the sport we love professionally all around the world. Things are great for both of us right now and we’re very happy with how our careers are continuing to develop.”

Minjee ensured that October 2023 will never be forgotten in the Lee family. Exactly one week after Min Woo won the Asian Tour event in China, she secured victory at the prestigious BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.

She showed outstanding determination to overcome America’s Alison Lee in a play-off, sinking a birdie putt on the first extra hole for a second win in consecutive months. Weeks earlier in September, she won the Kroger Queen City Championship in Ohio.

Her recent run of form means she takes to the greens and fairways at Riyadh Golf Club as a favourite for the event’s individual competition, as well as a source of hope and inspiration for her teammates in the team format.

“I’m feeling good with my game and I’ve come to Riyadh high in confidence,” she added.

Main image: ATS/LET

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In the fifth and final ATS event of 2023, two competitions will again take place side by side with 84 professionals competing in both the 36-hole Team competition and 54-hole Individual competition.

On Wednesday night at Riyadh Golf Club — the home venue hosting a Ladies European Tour (LET) event for the very first time — the Draft took place with 28 captains selecting one teammate from the field of competitors.

The third professional was randomly assigned before one amateur was added to complete the line-ups.

Captains were decided based on the 28 best-ranked players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as of Monday 16th October.

Recent LET winner Alexandra Försterling was afforded the first pick of the evening, opting for fellow rookie Emma Spitz from Austria. The close friends are joined by Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald who has recently returned from injury.

At the other end of the order, World No 1 Lilia Vu selected Hannah Burke with the final pick of the evening. The AIG Women’s Open champion and in-form Englishwoman are joined by Wales’ Becky Brewerton.

Fellow Major winner and World No. 4 Minjee Lee from Australia chose Scotland’s Louise Duncan with the penultimate pick of the night. Another rookie, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, completes the trio.

World No 8 Charley Hull from England again opted for Sweden’s Isabella Deilert — the pair having teamed up at the Aramco Team Series — London event back in July. The close friends are joined by Emma Grechi of France.

In similar fashion, England’s Georgia Hall replicated her pick from Centurion Club by selecting Scotland’s Kylie Henry. After the pair claimed victory on that occasion, Sweden’s Elin Arvidsson completes the trio hoping to have similar success.

Another exciting grouping comes courtesy of Solheim Cup heroine Carlota Ciganda picking Italy’s Alessandra Fanali — both of which represent Arizona State University (ASU) alumni. Czech Sara Kouskova is the third and final professional in the group.

Three Swedes share a team after Lisa Pettersson picked the in-form Sara Kjellker before being assigned Camilla Lennarth.

England’s Gabriella Cowley picked ATS specialist Casandra Alexander from South Africa with Czechia’s Kristyna Napoleaova.

The post Aramco Team Series draft picks decided in Riyadh appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

An innate confidence in her own ability is not a character trait Charley Hull has ever lacked. At the age of only 27, the Englishwoman has already achieved much in the professional game. A winner on both sides of the Atlantic, Hull has been a part of five European teams at the Solheim Cup.

Not too shabby. But now Hull has a potentially life-changing opportunity to make another step up by winning a major championship, confirming that inner belief and underlining her undoubted star quality. With 18 holes to play in the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath, Hull is nine-under and tied for the lead alongside American Lilia Vu, one-shot clear of a chasing pack headed by Angel Yin and Hyo Joo Kim. Halfway leader, Ally Ewing is two shots back after a stumbling 75, with Swede Linn Grant the only other player within four shots of the leaders.

"I just enjoy it. Good or bad, I just love it."

Charley Hull is taking it one step at a time, ahead of the biggest round of her life. pic.twitter.com/51X24jAqef

— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 12, 2023

“I’m pretty proud of myself,” said Hull, who shot 68. “It was so windy today, but we dug deep. I struck the ball pretty well. I was pretty confident and felt good out there, so can’t wait to get back in the bath and just chill tonight. To win tomorrow would be unbelievable. It would be absolutely unbelievable. To do what Georgia [Hall] did in 2018 was unbelievable. To do that again would be unreal.”

All of which is not to dismiss the chances of Vu. That would be silly. Unlike Hull, the Californian already knows with absolute certainty that she has the capability to win a major title. While she may have struggled more than a little since, Vu’s win at the Chevron Championship confirmed her ability to triumph at the very highest level of the game.

“Today was really about for me just in terms of confidence,” she said after signing for a 67. “It’s been since Chevron that I actually felt pretty decent about my game and where it’s at. So, I’m just going to do the same thing I did today, focusing on tee shots and giving myself a good opportunity for birdies. That and try not to think too much about the wind. Because every time that happens, it just slips away from me.”

In a similar vein, Ewing’s first six holes set a negative tone she never quite overcame. Standing on the seventh tee at three-over for the day, she had already perpetrated a few of the mistakes that only give encouragement to a chasing pack. Multiple fairways had been missed. And greens. And putts, both long and short. Having made only three bogeys in her first 35 holes, she dropped four shots in the next seven. Suddenly, the sizeable five-shot lead with which she set off was down to a single stroke.

It was all so different from Ewing’s last four rounds of competitive golf. The former Mississippi State All-American shot 69-66 on Days 3 and 4 of last week’s Scottish Women’s Open to finish T-9, before opening 68-66 here to get her substantial advantage with which she began the third round. Given all that, it makes sense that Ewing wasn’t writing herself off. Not at all.

“The situation was tough, coming out with pretty windy conditions,” she said. “It took me a little bit longer than I would have liked to settle in. The nerves were obviously there but at the same time I was mentally in a good place to know that I was going to be presented with challenges. But I didn’t execute shots quite like I wanted to early on, but I fought really hard. I’m teeing it up tomorrow with still a great chance to win this golf tournament.”

Plenty of stars are waiting in the wings, ready to make a charge.

Can Linn, Nelly and co. challenge for the title today? ? pic.twitter.com/ccYmUcuIPo

— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 13, 2023

On the other side of the momentum coin, Yin was making positive noises after tying Vu for the best score of the day. Little wonder. In one eight-hole stretch, the 24-year-old made six birdies.

“I stayed patient and played it safe when I had to,” she said. “The wind was a big challenge, so I was very mindful of that and didn’t force anything. Then, on the back nine I got a few birdies. I was hoping for a bogey-free round but I had one poor hole.”

Grant too was expressing something akin to satisfaction at the conclusion of her day’s efforts. The Swede’s 68 has her on six-under par and only three shots back.

“Going out this afternoon I said to my caddie, if we can get any shots under par today, that would probably give us a good chance tomorrow,” she said. “So, I’m really happy with how I played and what the score turned out to be. It was different out there today. The wind is way more than it was yesterday. As for tomorrow I’m just kind of going to go out like I did today. I have a score in mind without playing too aggressively and being too stupid.”

The post AIG Women’s Open co-leader Charley Hull doesn’t lack confidence. Now the Brit needs a major trophy to go with it appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Don’t stop reading because you think you’ve heard this one before. Although you have. Just last month, in fact, when Brian Harman, a proud son of the American south, turned the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool into little more than a one-horse race that for long enough had only one, almost certain conclusion.

Welcome to the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath, where Mississippi State alum Ally Ewing is 10-under at the halfway stage and as many as five-shots clear of her nearest challengers, compatriot Andrea Lee, Minami Katsu of Japan and home hope Charley Hull. So far at least, we’re all watching something akin to “Harman II: the sequel.”

Four-under par overnight and already holding a one-stroke advantage over the rest of the 144-strong field, Ewing wasted little time in stretching her lead. A front-nine 30 was capped by four straight birdies, and two more dips under par on the back-nine par 5s saw her reach 11-under with one hole to play. It was there that her first really wayward tee-shot led to what was her second missed green of the day and her only dropped shot, still good enough for a six-under 66.

Save for this one lone wayward driving ending up in Walton Heath’s heather, Ally Ewing played a meticulous second round, shooting a six-under 66 to reach 10 under and stretch out a five-shot 36-hole lead. Richard Heathcote/R&A

“I left myself in good position off the tee for the most part of the day except for 18,” said the 30-year-old three-time LPGA winner. “So I was able to hit really good iron shots into the greens and give myself a lot of ‘looks’. Not all of them were super-straight. I rolled in some breaking putts. Matching the line and speed is always a confidence boost. It was a very solid day. I didn’t really even know until I signed my scorecard that I had four birdies in a row. That stretch from like six to 11 is kind of a blur. I was very in the present on all of those shots.”

Still, it is not her fine play that will dominate headlines in the British press. During his run to Open glory, Harman revealed his liking for hunting, specifically pigs, turkeys and elks. So, given Ewing’s southern upbringing, it was inevitable that the subject was going to come up. And it did.

“I actually do some hunting,” Ewing said. “I know that’s probably not going to be interpreted well by the media, but I do, yes. I think people can spin it the wrong way for sure. It’s a means to eat for sure. For the most part my family, my husband and I, we do mostly deer hunting. That’s most of what we do.”

More positively, Ewing was also quizzed on her daily battle with Type 1 diabetes, something she discovered soon after first earning her LPGA card in 2016.

“It’s tough,” she admitted. “Some days are tougher than others, but it’s manageable. The technology has progressed a long way. But it is still something I have to be aware of on a course, not just my golf, which can sometimes be a little distracting. I deal with high blood sugar, low blood sugar. That’s why I have to stay on top of it. I can feel pretty loopy. I can feel shaky. It honestly changes every time. Sometimes I feel fatigued all of a sudden. So I keep Gatorade in my golf bag, take six ounces or so and stay on top of my snacks.”

As you’d expect, Ewing’s fellow competitors were united in their praise of her outstanding performance.

“I looked up at the scoreboard and she was five-under through five holes,” said Jodi Ewart-Shadoff, who is seven shots back. “And the next time I looked up she was 10-under through 11. I was not expecting that. But props to her. That’s an incredible round.”

The best response, however, belonged to Angel Yin, who is on three-under par after a second-round 69. Asked what course her fellow American was playing, Yin came back with: “Not this one”.

The post The AIG Women’s Open is resembling the runaway at Hoylake, with Ally Ewing playing the role of Brian Harman appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The AIG Women’s Open is back this week and the cream of the game will be out in force as they hunt the final major of 2023.

A truly international field will gather at Walton Heath, with 144 of the world’s finest players coming from far and wide to tee it up at the Surrey venue, which is hosting the championship for the first time since it was established in 1976.

Australia, China, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and the USA are among the many regions that will bring a strong global flavour to the season’s final major.

In the last 10 years, the championship has produced winners from eight different countries, including South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai, who beat South Korea’s In Gee Chun in a memorable four-hole play-off at Muirfield 12 months ago.

“It’s very special to come here as the Champion,” she said. “Obviously, there is a little bit of hype coming into the week as well. It’s something I’ve got to manage but it’s all for a good reason. As defending champion, I just have to embrace it and enjoy the week. Anytime I go into any tournament now, the belief is there I can win if I’m playing well.

“The secret is staying in the moment and making sure don’t think about the outcome by getting ahead of yourself. My swing had been there for a long time but, working with my sports psychologist, it was learning to do something I can control and committing to it.”

Buhai, defending her title, will be among a number of former winners at Walton Heath, including Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Hinako Shibuno (Japan), Georgia Hall (England), Jiyai Shin (Korea) and Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand).

However there could just as easily be a new name on the trophy. This has been a season of first-time major winners, with Lilia Vu winning The Chevron Championship, Ruoning Yin the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Allisen Corpuz the US Women’s Open and Celine Boutier the recent Amundi Evian Championship.

That range of champions reflects the strength in depth of women’s golf internationally. Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and Lydia Ko, all riding high in the top-three of the Rolex Women’s World Rankings, will need to be at their best if they are to mount a challenge at the Women’s Open.

Also aiming to make an impact is Rose Zhang, arguably the brightest young star in the women’s game. On her professional debut in June, the 20-year-old won the Mizuho Americas Open. She has since secured top-10 finishes in each of her first three majors as a professional.

This will be Zhang’s third appearance in the Women’s Open, having narrowly missed the cut at Carnoustie in 2021. At Muirfield last year, the young American tied for 28th and won the Smyth Salver for finishing as the Championship’s leading amateur.

Atthaya Thitikul. ASLI

Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, who also won the Smyth Salver during her amateur career in 2018 and 2019, will also be one to watch this year. The 20-year-old Thai star’s best performance in the Championship came last year where she finished tied seventh at Muirfield.

“I’m really excited to be here,” she said. “The AIG Women’s Open is the toughest major of the year because you have to play in the wind and almost every year we play on a links course, Walton Heath is a little different this year. The heather looks beautiful but I will be trying to escape it. I think it’s going to be a really challenging week.”

Sweden’s Linn Grant, who became the first woman to win on the DP World Tour and a subsequent role model for young girls, returns to the Women’s Open as an LPGA winner and is focused on more victories in her future.

“My game feels strong,” she said. “I feel like I’m playing really solid golf. I’m not 100% where I want to be in terms of my whole game, but I feel like this could be my week. I haven’t been out there yet, but I think I’m going to like the course. I love the look of it, it looks great. I hope it will suit me.”

The post International stars ready for AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

There was a storm surrounding Carlota Ciganda early in the event, but now we are at the business end and Celine Boutier, the local hope, shot a four-under 67 on Saturday to hold a three-stroke lead at 11-under in her homeland’s major championship. A victory for Boutier, 29, would make her the first Frenchwoman to win the Evian. With her consistent 66-69-67 week so far, Boutier doesn’t appear to be wavering with history in sight.

“I feel like the past three rounds have really been three different weather conditions, and so the fact that I’ve been able to keep my game solid for the past three days is very positive,” Boutier said.

The three-time LPGA winner has discussed throughout the week about her attempt to improve the way she handles the pressure of trying to win the French major. Despite her success in her LPGA career, Boutier’s best finish in seven starts at the Evian Resort Golf Club is T-29.

The focus to overcome the additional stress this week has Boutier aiming toward not getting ahead of the current moment. That task’s difficulty is amplified with the extra fanfare in Evian-les-Bains, France, with notable roars rolling through the hills when Boutier hits a good shot. However, the most-successful French player in tour history has been able to put down thinking about the major by spending time with her family at a house 15 minutes away from the course.

In second place at eight-under is Nasa Hataoka, who looks to play the major foil once again after shooting a Saturday 66. The 24-year-old from Japan was in the final group at the LPGA’s most recent major, the US Women’s Open, where she held a one-stroke lead before losing to Allisen Corpuz. Hataoka has two major playoff losses in her career at the 2018 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and 2021 US Women’s Open.

Hataoka could shed the unwanted title of most wins on tour (six) without a major, which she shares with Jessica Korda.

“Tomorrow is another new day, and I want to enjoy the next 18 holes,” Hataoka said.

The last Amundi Evian champions, Brooke Henderson (2022) and Minjee Lee (2021), are four back of Boutier, both contending for their third career major titles. Henderson, 25, stormed the front nine, setting a major record by going out in a six-under 29, including four straight birdies from Nos. 6 through 9. A 10-under day would have tied the all-time 18-hole major score, but instead the Canadian stalled after a double-bogey on the 12th. Henderson’s four-under total puts her T-3, placing her in a position to turn around a season with only one top-10 finish, a victory at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January.

Lee, 27, could further separate herself from her peers during the LPGA’s recent run of major parity with a victory. Over the tour’s last 21 majors, dating back to the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the Australian is the only multiple major winner (2021 Evian, 2022 US Women’s Open). In addition, the she could become the No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings with some help. It’ll take Lee winning plus Korda finishing outside the top 21 and Jin Young Ko, the current top player, with a 20th place or worse result. Ko is T-30 and Korda is T-5.

Korda gave herself a late birthday present with a bogey-free seven-under 64 on Saturday, the day after turning 25. Korda’s lowest round of the 2023 season puts the No. 2 player in the world four back from her second career major title. It’s a notable bounce back from her last few LPGA performances, Korda having missed two cuts before a T-67 at the US Women’s Open where Korda closed with an 80. She regained her footing with her victory on the Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Series — London two weeks ago, boosting the American’s confidence heading into the Evian. Korda’s potential reward for a strong week, beyond a possible second major title, is a return to the top of the world rankings. The LPGA noted at the start of the Evian that there are numerous ways for her to return to the top of the Rolex rankings since Korda and Ko are neck and neck.

Yuka Saso, 22, bogeyed her last two holes to fall five behind with an even-par 71 to join Korda at six under at T-5. Saso maintains her recent run of title contention on the LPGA, finishing runner-up at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and T-3 at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational last week.

While overcoming a five-stroke deficit is typically a daunting Sunday task, at the Evian, three of the last five titles have been won by someone five or more back, most recently Lee’s seven-stroke comeback victory in 2021. The Evian Championship is set to continue its winning formula of winners emerging from the top of the world rankings. Eight of the major’s nine victors were in the top 20 in the world when they won, and only Saso (No. 27) is outside the top 20 from those within five of Boutier. All that’s left is to see who will add their name to the esteemed list of Evian Championship winners.

The post After the Carlota Ciganda drama, France is dreaming one of its own will make history appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Soaking in the picturesque views of glistening Lake Geneva from the hillside Evian Resort Golf Club during the Amundi Evian Championship never gets old. Paula Reto, a 33-year-old making her fifth career Evian start, carded a seven-under-par 64 to claim a two-stroke lead with an eye toward the serene water.

“I had so much fun,” Reto said. “This golf course is so fun, and the views and everything, it’s just awesome to be here.”

As the South African who won the 2022 CP Women’s Open last August for her maiden LPGA title sits atop the leaderboard, a number of past tour winners are lurking after Day 1. New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the 2015 Evian champ, and France’s Celine Boutier, a three-time LPGA winner, are two behind. Major champions Eun-Hee Ji and Yuka Saso are three back. The previous two Evian winners, Minjee Lee and Brooke Henderson, trail Reto by five strokes.

With drama already starting to bubble, here are our three takeaways from the first round of the Amundi Evian Championship.

Alison Lee. Stuart Franklin

Beware the golfer missing her luggage

Alison Lee might be going through a nightmare travel week, but it didn’t stop her from getting into contention with a five-under 66 on Thursday. That score matched a her career-best major round, coming previously at the Evian in 2015. Lee tweeted on Tuesday that her luggage was stuck in Detroit for 40 hours and shared that she is still waiting for her clothes to arrive after her first round.

“I’m going to go track my suitcase [this afternoon] and make sure everything is there,” Lee said. “Maybe take a little nap. I slept through the night last night so I might not have to do that. But I’m going to send Delta a pretty nasty email.”

In Evian and my suitcase has been stuck in DTW for 40 hours and counting. Have been on the phone with @delta countless times but have not been able to speak to someone in Detroit directly. Pls pls help. pic.twitter.com/9YaeEAKkLh

— Alison Lee (@alisonlee) July 25, 2023

Lee, 28, credited her success at the Evian Resort to increased confidence on the greens. After last month’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, where she finished T-52, her team noticed she was 15th on tour in strokes gained/tee to green but struggled with her flat stick. The American is 131st on tour in putting average this season. Lee hired a putting coach before the US Women’s Open, focusing on her mental approach over putts, speed and feel.

Despite dealing with nerves from seeing her name near the top of the leaderboard, Lee delivered with 25 putts and seven birdies on Thursday, matching her season’s best putting performance. “Making a few good putts gave me a lot of confidence going into the rest of the round,” Lee said. “Every time I had a birdie chance, I really looked at it as if I can make this. That’s what I said to myself.”

Celine Boutier. Stuart Franklin

The local who’s taking a foreign approach

Celine Boutier’s five-under 66 is the best score in the first round by three strokes for the Frenchwoman at the Evian in seven career starts. Boutier sees the most significant difference this time around coming not from any technical change she made with her game but rather a mental one. Boutier purposely altered her mindset for her homeland’s major this time, insisting she look at it as just another week rather than giving it more weight.

“You play mind games with yourself,” Boutier said. “You just tell yourself you’re not at home.”

The new, more relaxed approach has Boutier sitting T-2, a jump compared to her past performances. In Boutier’s six previously Evian starts, her best finish is T-29, done in 2014 and 2021. The Evian is the only major Boutier has not had a top-10 finish in her seven-year LPGA career.

Expectations for Boutier, 29, increased this year when she became the most successful French player in LPGA history with her third career victory in March at the Drive On Championship. She delivered with a consistent Thursday, hitting 15 greens in regulation and carding only one bogey to begin the championship.

There are, however, benefits to playing in a home major. Boutier felt the support of the local fans in Evian-Les-Bains, France, enjoying the additional cheering compared to a typical week on the LPGA. Boutier’s family is watching this week, with her twin sister Christie attending for just the second time.

“I definitely feel like I haven’t performed my best in the past at this tournament, so I’m just really eager to like try to change that this year,” Boutier said.

Lydia Ko. Stuart Franklin

Star turns in her best round of 2023

When you’re the No. 3 player in the Rolex Women’s World Ranking, a bogey-free five-under 66 shouldn’t necessarily be a surprise. The same holds true if you’ve had seven top-10s in nine starts at the Evian. Yet Lydia Ko’s year has been anything but predictable, as she’s posted just one top-10 (back in February) after being the LPGA’s Player of the Year in 2022.

Returning to a familiar course let Ko lean on positive thoughts, which translated into Ko shooting her lowest score of the year and her first major round in the 60s.

“I think the longer you play at a golf course you realise you make so many different memories, whether it’s good or bad, and I think I try and draw on the good memories,” Ko said.

Ko credited numerous par saves, such as a 10-footer on the 17th, to maintain her momentum. But it wasn’t with her usual flat stick, as to her husband’s surprise, Ko took her old Scotty Cameron putter out before the US Women’s Open.

Ko’s renowned short game remains immaculate, as she posted a clean card despite only hitting 11 greens in regulation and six of 13 fairways. The performance puts her in contention for her third major title, which in turn would lock up the last two points she needs to earn her spot in the LPGA’s Hall of Fame.

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Dutch star Van Dam was two clear at the start of action on Friday, and — due to an early tee-time — extended her advantage with a one-under 70.

But Grant had other ideas. The Swede responded in the afternoon with a 67 to join Van Dam at the top.

“I was solid from the tee,” Grant said. “I hit some really good shots into the green, my putting wasn’t too good though. I felt like I had a couple more birdies in me.

“The birdie on 18 was really important. It’s a typical birdie hole which I can normally reach [in two], so to not make a birdie there would have been disappointing.

“The game plan tomorrow is to go out and have fun together. I love playing with Anne, she’s really fun to play with so we’ll see how it goes.”

Birdie number three for @Annevandam today who moves back to -6 ?#RaiseOurGame | #JabraLadiesOpen pic.twitter.com/zoJ7loEMkz

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) May 12, 2023

Earlier on, a roller-coaster round from Van Dam saw her post four birdies and one eagle combined with a double-bogey on the 10th and three bogeys.

“It was a little bit more up and down today,” the Dutch star said. “But I still actually have a pretty good feeling about today. I played pretty nicely and hit a lot of good shots. Especially off the tee I hit it a lot better than yesterday.

“I made a couple of mistakes. They’re so easy to make around here. So those two mistakes were bad, but I’m still in a good position.”

Chasing a maiden LET victory, England’s Hayley Davis sits in third on five-under-par after a posting a 67.

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Hosted by 10-time Major Champion Annika Sörenstam, the tournament was a first-of-its-kind event when it was staged in 2021 and sees 78 men and 78 women compete on the same course for one prize fund and one trophy.

Co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the Ladies European Tour, home favourite Grant made history at Halmstad Golf Club in 2022 as the first female winner of the event, storming to a nine-stroke victory on home soil.

The 23-year-old Swede had a season to remember in 2022 going on to win the ‘LET Rookie of the Year’ after claiming four victories in her first year on Tour and was crowned the Race to Costa del Sol champion, following in the footsteps of fellow Swede Sörenstam.

“I’m really excited to come back and defend my title in front of Swedish fans,” said Grant.

Linn Grant

“I played the first round with Annika last year and it was such an incredible experience to win against a mixed field. It’s a unique event and I am proud that Sweden is pushing to bring female and male golfers together both on and off the golf course.

“I think my victory last year was a big step in our sport and I hope it brings women’s golf into the spotlight and it gets people’s eyes on us a little bit more. To be able to speak Swedish and hear everyone out there cheering for you, it was amazing, and I can’t wait to get back in June to defend my title.”

Ryder Cup star Noren will return to his hometown of Stockholm for the mixed tournament and is excited to tee it up in front of family and friends, as he aims to impress the Swedish fans.

“I’m looking forward to coming back to Sweden,” said Noren, a previous winner of his home open in 2011 and 2015. “I played last year and thought it was amazing. Linn Grant obviously ran away with it and she played unbelievable, but I think the tournament is really great and I am proud it is taking place in Sweden.

“Going to Stockholm, especially to Ullna, it’s a really cool place right on a lake with very interesting holes, and it will be good for both the men and women in competition mode.

“Being in Sweden and being a dad to a little girl, I like for women to have the same opportunities. I grew up watching an LET event at my home course and we loved it as kids trying to get their balls after 18, and just watch them play.”

Sörenstam added: “Linn and Alex are fantastic golfers in their own right, both proven winners on the global stage, and both are even better people, so I look forward to welcoming them to Stockholm for this fantastic tournament. Linn played our ANNIKA Foundation events as a junior, so it was really special to see her win last year. The Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed is so unique and I know the fans in Sweden will come out to support both the men and women this summer.”

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