Tag: Derek Lowe

Celebrities dish on why they love golf, LPGA Tournament of Champions nerves and lessons learned from the best women in the world

“Again, that’s what I think everybody loves about this game. It brings out a different type of nerve.”

ORLANDO — The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions awards LPGA players who have hoisted trophies over the past two seasons. But it’s also billed as the biggest party on tour, with 56 celebrities playing alongside 29 LPGA pros. There’s a DJ next to the 18th green in the mega hospitality build, and nightly concerts are held in the shadow of the official player hotel.

This year there were 14 newcomers to the celebrity field, which features a blend of professional athletes and entertainers. Notables include past champions Mardy Fish (2021), Derek Lowe (2022) and John Smoltz (2019, 2020).

Here’s what some had to say about why they love this game, dealing with pressure and what they learn from the LPGA’s best:

‘Just bonkers’: See what celebrities are saying about the LPGA’s best at season-opening Tournament of Champions

“Their rhythm is so good. It’s just unbelievable.”

Inbee Park, the most decorated player in the LPGA field at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, is rather fond of opening her 16th season on tour alongside celebrities. There’s less pressure this week, she said, than typical tour events. The seven-time major winner considers it the “perfect” warmup.

“This tournament is a very fun format,” said Park, “so we’re enjoying the different atmosphere and meeting a lot of people. Watching them play is enjoyable.”

Park, who is four strokes back of leader Nelly Korda through two rounds, is one of 29 LPGA players in the field. Winners from the past two seasons are invited to the opener at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. Among the 50 players in the celebrity division is Annika Sorenstam, the greatest player in the modern era who retired from the LPGA in 2008. Park and Sorenstam aren’t competing against each other. The celebrities vie for a purse of $500,000 and use a modified Stableford scoring format.

Former MLB pitcher Derek Lowe leads Mark Mulder and Sorenstam by one point heading into the weekend.

“I think it’s a little bit more relaxing watching them getting more nervous,” said Park.

See what some of the celebrities in the field had to say about the best female golfers on the planet: