Season to resume with KLPGA C’ship
SEOUL: The 2020 golf season, so far on hold due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, will see its first event get underway tomorrow when South Korea hosts the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Championship.
The 42nd KLPGA Championship will be the tour’s first tournament since December, and will be played at the Lakewood Country Club in Yangju without spectators.
“The priority is the safety of the players, tournament officials and golf fans and [the event] will be broadcast,” organisers said in a statement.
“KLPGA will enforce strict prevention measures rising to the level of ‘social distancing’ for its players and officials during the tournament.”
Organisers said equipment from hand sanitisers to quarantine tents — should they be needed — will be prepared, with contact-tracing protocols also in place.
Top LPGA Tour stars and local favourites such as Kim Sei-Young, Park Sung-Hyun and Lee6 Jeong-Eun as well as defending champion Choi Hye-Jin are among the 150 players set to compete with a total of 30 billion won (US$24.5 million) in prize money on offer.
Meanwhile, US 2020 Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker named Zach Johnson and Davis Love III as vice captains for the American golf squad set to face trophy-holders Europe in September.
The biennial team showdown remains set for Sept 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Stricker had earlier named Jim Furyk as a US vice captain, with more such appointments expected nearer to the match-up.
“With the Ryder Cup it’s important to surround yourself with quality individuals who you can lean on and who have the best interests of the team in mind,” Stricker said.
“Both Zach and Davis share a passion to compete at the highest level and are strong communicators, which is important, especially when we’re in the heat of competition.”