Tag: Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

Danielle Kang tops U.S.-heavy leaderboard at Diamond Resorts TOC

Danielle Kang tops the field at the LPGA’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions while sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda sit one back.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – It’s an exceptionally red, white and blue board early on at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. Danielle Kang tops the field of 25 at 7-under 64 while sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda sit one back along with 2020 TOC champion Gaby Lopez.

Mothers Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lincicome trail by two strokes at 5 under; Lexi Thompson and Angela Stanford are three back.

Two exposures to COVID-19 kept Kang from preparing for the TOC like she wanted, but the good vibes from her usual celebrity pairing made for a fun day.

“Besides what I shot,” said Kang, “I had a blast. Like I do, I really love playing with Lee (Brice) and Cole (Swindell).”

The Kordas have never been paired together in a final group on Sunday. Jessica said they’ve moved on from having year-long bets for hand bags, but she did catch a peek at the leaderboard on the ninth (her last hole) and took a little motivation from seeing Nelly’s name at 6 under.

“I was like, dang, I got to make this,” she said, smiling. “Glad I did.”

When asked what a final round together might be like, Nelly reflected on a situation from her rookie year.

“We’ve played together twice my rookie year,” she said. “I remember her making at Blue Bay, either like she made like a pretty long putt for like eight or nine. … I don’t know what she did on that hole. I was like, ‘Do I talk to her? Do I not talk to her?’

“But she just burst out laughing after. So we talk, and it’s like playing with anyone else. You talk, you chitchat here and there, but at the end of the day, you know, you’re trying to get to business.”

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Jessica said her debut in last year’s TOC was a learning experience. This year, she felt more prepared for the mentality of the pro-am format. The highlight, she said, is meeting the celebrities.

“My brother always makes me take a bunch of selfies with people because he’s so upset he’s not here,” said Jessica. “I was like, alright, so I had to do one today. He’s like the biggest fan of “The Office,” so I was like walking around the range (looking for Brian Baumgartner), ‘Can I get a selfie? My brother is a big fan.’ ”

Mardy Fish, a two-time winner of the TOC celebrity division, sits two points ahead of Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks after the first round of the Modified Stableford format. Fish, who was grouped with Nelly in the first round, is quite familiar with the Korda family.

“I’m the Davis Cup captain for the U.S.,” Fish said, “which is like tennis’ Ryder Cup, and Sebastian is certainly on the short list of players in Madrid for later in the year. I’ve followed the past couple years his career, and trajectory is pretty incredible. Yeah, amazing family.”

Annika Sorenstam, a Diamond Resorts ambassador, played alongside Lopez and John Smoltz in the opening round. The LPGA Hall of Famer had a good look at birdie on the first hole after striping her tee shot but was mostly disappointed in her opening effort.

“I was so nervous. I’ve been actually hitting it really well and I was so excited and I got out here and it was paralysis by analysis. I was tight, there were a lot of things I haven’t felt in a while because I haven’t played. I couldn’t really get comfortable at all.”

Sorenstam FaceTimed with her son Will immediately after the round. He’d just gotten out of school and looked at the points online – “Mommy, you tied for seventh” –  and is eager to come out over the weekend with his sister Ava to watch mom compete. (Sorenstam ultimately finished solo seventh for the day, seven points behind Fish.)

“The first hole it kind of looked like I knew what I was doing,” said Sorenstam. “It’s golf. Hopefully I have a good night’s rest, I come out and I feel more relaxed. I want to really enjoy it.”

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With Solheim Cup on her mind, Toledo-born Stacy Lewis finds success with new putter at Diamond Resorts TOC

Stacy Lewis wanted to improve her putting in 2021. She’s also hoping this year includes a Solheim Cup pick.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – Stacy Lewis packed her clubs away for the Christmas holiday but knew exactly where she wanted to pick up in 2021: putting.

Husband Gerrod Chadwell found the answer sitting in the garage.

“I was starting to hit it better,” said Lewis, “but just putting horrendously really.”

There’s an untold number of putters in the couple’s Houston garage but Chadwell went straight for a T.P. Mills design that she received eight years ago and never put to use.

“It’s more of a center-shafted, really different than what I’ve ever played,” said Lewis. “He’s like, just putt with it. You’re going to be able to see what you’re doing wrong and what you need to change. A lot of it was with setup, just the way I was set up, the way I was holding onto the putter.”

Lewis, 35, kept the “new” putter in the bag for Round 1 of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and was pleased to find immediate results. The former No. 1 cruised to an opening 66 that included three straight birdies on Nos. 12-14 and 26 putts.

Lewis’ T.P. Mills putter (Golfweek photo)

On the par-3 14th, Lewis thought she might win the “Outback Steak for Life” prize after her finely struck 6-iron tracked toward the flagstick. Alas, the ball wound up 5 feet from the hole.

Big steak fan?

“Yeah, meat and potatoes let’s go,” said Lewis. “I was all in.”

The first time Lewis played in the TOC, daughter Chesnee was 3 months old. The goal ever since has been to get back to this event so they could take Chesnee to Disney World. Soon after she won the Ladies Scottish Open last August, Lewis told Chesnee that the trip was on. She decided to wait until after the event to take in the parks in case her back got too sore from carrying Chesnee around.

“I’m probably more excited, because she has no clue what it is yet,” said Lewis. “She loves Mickey and Minnie. She’s gotten into ‘Frozen.’ I just can’t wait to see it through her eyes.”

Of course, a victory this week would go a long way toward Lewis’ big goal for 2021: making the Solheim Cup team.

Lewis revealed that U.S. captain Pat Hurst talked to her about being an assistant captain in Toledo before she won in Scotland.

“She’s had to go back to the drawing board again,” said Lewis. Michelle Wie and Angela Stanford, who also won late last year, have already been named assistant captains.

While Lewis has called Texas home for quite some time, she was actually born in Toledo. The Solheim Cup would be a special week at historic Inverness for the hometown player, even if there might be fewer fans this year than normal due to COVID-19.

“All my family is there,” she said. “I mean, it’s No. 1 for me.”

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Golf Channel broadcast team shifts at LPGA opener after Tom Abbott tests positive for COVID-19

Golf Channel’s broadcast team will shift at this week’s LPGA opener after Tom Abbott tested positive for COVID-19.

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Golf Channel’s Tom Abbott has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be part of the Diamond Resort Tournament of Champions broadcast. Abbott went through the LPGA’s testing procedures on Sunday, the same day his symptoms began.

“I’ve spent most of this week in bed,” Abbott texted. “Usual symptoms, but thankfully no breathing issues.”

Karen Stupples has moved into Abbott’s hole-announcer position and Tripp Isenhour replaced Stupples as the on-course reporter, joining Jerry Foltz. Paige Mackenzie and Grant Boone are in the booth.

Abbott, who is at home recovering in Orlando, said he dealt with a headache and backache early on, but fatigue is the worst of it now.

“Everyone has been very supportive,” Abbott said, noting that LPGA commissioner Mike Whan even sent a text message to check in on him.

Boone tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after arriving in Georgia for October’s Drive On Championship. He said he experienced five days of bad symptoms, spent 10 days in a hotel, drove 1,000 miles back home and spiked a fever that reached as high as 106 degrees.

He still hasn’t regained a sense of taste or smell.

At this week’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, LPGA players and guests are grouped together this week but otherwise separated. LPGA player dining and locker rooms are at the Four Seasons while the celebrities stick to the clubhouse. Fans are limited to invitation-only.

The event’s live concerts have moved outside to a newly constructed stage, but LPGA players aren’t allowed to attend those for safety reasons. No restaurants or Disney visits either for players during tournament week.

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Ultra-social Sophia Popov in her element at LPGA Diamond Resorts pro-am format

Sophia Popov’s her boyfriend/caddie Max Melhes keeps her on track. “I have a great caddie who tells me when to shut up,” she said, laughing.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Sophia Popov wanted to put her name down to play a practice round with Annika Sorenstam at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, but even that felt a little intimidating. Still, a competitive round alongside Sorenstam, who retired from the LPGA in 2008 and is playing in the celebrity division of this week’s event, would be yet another high for golf’s ultimate Cinderella.

Popov, 28, wasn’t shy about her frustrations over being left out of last month’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in her hometown of Naples, Florida. The points Popov would’ve been awarded for winning the AIG Women’s British Open last August didn’t count because she wasn’t an LPGA member at the time of her victory.

But while the popular German was left out of the lucrative season-ender, she did secure a spot in this year’s fun-filled season-opener. The ultra-social player will no doubt be in her element for the pro-am format at Tranquilo Golf Club.

“I talk a lot in regular tournament play,” said Popov, “sorry to all my fellow competitors out there, beware.”

On Thursday, Popov will compete alongside former NFL stars Marcus Allen and Sterling Sharpe. There are 25 LPGA pros in the field, including Danielle Kang, Brooke Henderson, Lexi Thompson and sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda.

U.S. Women's Open
Sophia Popov at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club. Photo by Erik Williams/USA TODAY Sports

Popov, a four-time All-American at USC, said she was aware of Allen because she’d seen his poster up around campus. She Googled him this week to get more of the finer details of his career.

Asked if it was possible for her to talk too much out there and get distracted, Popov said her boyfriend/caddie Max Melhes keeps her on track.

“I have a great caddie who tells me when to shut up,” she said, laughing.

Fellow LPGA pros have given the TOC rookie tips on the unique format, warning her of the importance of staying focused on her own game while playing alongside Hall of Famers twice her size from other sports. On the range, Popov finds herself swiveling around at the sound of a strapping major leaguer unleashing on a driver.

“I don’t know if I should mention her name,” said Popov of a player who’d recently given her some advice, “but she said it’s very interesting, because you get very excited. But these guys out here are very good. They actually spend a lot of time playing golf. It almost becomes their second career in some sense, and they’re playing great golf. They hit it very far. You have to come to peace with the fact that your golf game is totally different. For the most part, we hit it straighter and we’re probably the more consistent player, but they’ll hit some shots where they’re outdriving you by 70 or 80 yards, and you’re going ‘Oh my god, who is the pro here?’ ”

While Popov might still yet get the opportunity to play alongside Sorenstam later this week, it’s 2020 TOC champion Gaby Lopez who has that chance in the opening round as well as John Smoltz, a two-time winner of the celebrity division.

Lopez said Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa inspired her greatly growing up.

“To me, to have this opportunity to just learn from her mind,” said Lopez, “to me that’s probably the biggest takeaway. I’m going to try to sneak in and peek at her mind tomorrow.”

Popov’s whirlwind journey from winning on the Cactus Tour last summer to claiming a major championship title continues to change her life in ways beyond her tournament schedule. She recently landed major championship backer AIG as a sponsor, with the company’s logo attached to her visor this week.

“It’s definitely a different lifestyle that I’m living,” said Popov of her daily to-do list.

Because she’s a bilingual rising star, Popov has double the media requests between the U.S. and Germany.

“Everyone said ‘Oh, well, wait until you’re done with the season and then we’ll call you,’ ” said Popov. “Yep, sure felt that.”

If everything goes as planned, those requests won’t die down anytime soon.

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Fresh off a win, Cheyenne Woods is on the bag for her boyfriend, Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks, at Diamond Resorts TOC

Fresh off a win, Cheyenne Woods is caddying for her boyfriend, Yankees OF Aaron Hicks, at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – Cheyenne Woods stood off the 18th green on Tuesday holding a towel and a club. If fans had been on property at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, they’d have been doing a double take at the caddie in this late-afternoon group.

Woods, a longtime playing professional and niece of Tiger Woods, is working for boyfriend Aaron Hicks at Tranquilo Golf Club as he competes in the celebrity division.

Woods first met the Yankees center fielder while interviewing him last January for her podcast, “Birdies Not BS.” The pair began dating last spring.

“We just play a lot when we’re home,” said Woods, “and we take everybody’s money.”

Just last week Woods documented Hicks’ impressive ace at Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona – on a 303-yard par 4, with 3-wood.

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The couple are both on roll, actually. It was Hicks who caddied for Woods in the final round on Jan. 17 when she dominated a Cactus Tour event, winning by 16 shots. She was the only player in the field who finished under par on the desert mini-tour, winning $2,000 for her 67-65-68 showing in Sun City.

“Just nice to win,” said Woods. “I hadn’t won since Australia a few years ago.”

The Wake Forest grad last won the 2014 Volvik RACV Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour and is currently working to regain her full status on the LPGA. She’ll be teeing it up in Monday qualifiers in 2021 and competing on the Symetra Tour.

Hicks, who grew up playing golf from ages 5 to 13 until switching to baseball, credits Woods for vastly improving his short game.

“Apparently I sliced the ball every time I putted,” he said.

Woods said her main role this week will be helping Hicks with course management and keeping him loose. It will be Hicks’ first time playing in a televised golf tournament, but he’s keeping it all in good perspective.

“This isn’t what I do for a living,” he said, “so I’m not going to take it personal if don’t play well.”

And anyway, it certainly won’t be the caddie’s fault.

‘It wasn’t really a break’: Danielle Kang among headliners at LPGA opener after short, hectic offseason

Danielle Kang is among the headliners at the LPGA’s season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions after short, hectic offseason.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The shortest LPGA offseason felt even shorter for Danielle Kang, or longer depending on if she was stuck inside quarantining on a picture-perfect day in southern Nevada. As if moving wasn’t enough to take on during the four-week break, she was twice exposed to COVID-19 while back home.

“It’s been a chaotic few weeks,” said Kang, who took six COVID-19 tests in in the past two weeks, finally getting cleared to travel on Monday for the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

“It wasn’t really a break.”

Kang, last year’s Vare Trophy winner for low scoring average, started practicing in earnest 10 days ago and said she looks at the season-opening limited-field TOC as a pre-season starter. She’ll be paired once again with Cole Swindell and Lee Brice, two Country music stars who have become friends.

“There’s no better way to kick off the season than with this event,” said Kang, who will get to fine-tuning her game during the LPGA’s second month-long offseason, which starts next week.

The annual LPGA TOC has become the best party on tour, and while there are some distinct differences this week due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show rolls on at Tranquilo Golf Course.

There was talk of keeping the players and celebrities separated during competition, but that part will still look the same. Behind the scenes though, LPGA player dining and locker rooms are at the Four Seasons while the celebrities now stick to the clubhouse. Fans are limited to invitation-only.

The event’s live shows have moved outside to a newly constructed stage, but LPGA players aren’t allowed to attend those for safety reasons.

“Maybe I can sit in my car and roll down the window and hear the concerts,” said Diamond Resorts ambassador Brittany Lincicome.

Annika Sorenstam headlines the celebrity division along with two-time winner John Smoltz. On Tuesday morning, Sorenstam addressed the controversy surrounding her acceptance of the Presidential Medal of Freedom less than 24 hours after the attacks on the U.S. Capitol in which five people died.

“Listen, I share the sadness and the fear with everyone, what happened at the Capitol.” Sorenstam told Golfweek. “But I’m not one to look back.”

Sorenstam and Smoltz will be grouped together with 2020 TOC champion Gaby Lopez in Thursday’s opening round.

Other notable celebrities include Roger Clemens, Toby Keith, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Maddux and Grant Hill.

The top three players in the world – Jin Young Ko, Sei Young Kim and Inbee Park – aren’t in the field but American stars Lexi Thompson and sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda are competing along with Kang and last season’s Cinderella, AIG Women’s British Open champion Sophia Popov.

There are 25 LPGA players in this year’s field.

Kang, a two-time winner last season, sets short-term and long-term goals for each year, and also takes the time to write down what she’s thankful for from the previous year.

Kang was hesitant to share most of her goals, but she did lay out several areas of her game that she’d like to focus on: fairway woods off the deck; capitalizing more on the par 5s; and feeling more confident over her putts.

“I want to hit more pure putts,” she said. “Whether they go in or not, I want to hit better putts. I don’t want to be stressed when I putt, and that’s something that has really been stressing me out.”

Because of COVID-19 precautions, Kang said she only met with instructor Butch Harmon one time in the past month, which is considerably less than usual. While she wasn’t able to work on the technical aspects as much as she would’ve liked, she did get to focus on strengthening her body to help eliminate the nagging injuries that restrict what she wants to do with her swing.

“I wasn’t able to prepare like I normally can,” she said, “however, I have four weeks off after this week, so that’s kind of the time I’m going to capitalize on.”

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Annika Sorenstam vows to ‘move forward’ after Presidential Medal of Freedom flap

Annika Sorenstam spoke to Golfweek at the LPGA’s Diamond Resorts TOC about accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – Annika Sorenstam and husband Mike McGee went back to their car several times in search of a lost mask at Tranquilo Golf Course. Much has changed since the last time a retired Sorenstam teed it up in an LPGA event. For starters, she’s in the celebrity division of this week’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, competing against an almost entirely male field of entertainment and sports celebrities.

And, for the moment at least, the LPGA Hall of Famer is embroiled in controversy after accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump alongside fellow legend Gary Player one day after the violent U.S. Capitol attacks Jan. 6 in which five people died. As Sorenstam waited out an early-morning frost delay Tuesday, she spoke with Golfweek about her decision to accept the medal. The original ceremony was scheduled for March 23, 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic.

“Ever since I heard I was going to receive this award back in 2019, I’ve always viewed this in the context of the people through history who have received it,” said Sorenstam, “and as you know it started in 1963. It’s individuals from all kinds of walks, whether it’s science, art, entertainment and sports, just to make the world a better place. Listen, I share the sadness and the fear with everyone, what happened at the Capitol. But I’m not one to look back. I focus on young girls, as you know. Just came back from St. Augustine yesterday, our 13th Annika Invitational. That’s what I’m going to continue to do is open doors, create opportunities for young girls around the world.”

Sorenstam said that she arrived in Washington on the evening of Jan. 6 with her family. When asked if she regretted going ahead with the ceremony the next day at the White House, Sorenstam reiterated that she’s not one to second-guess.

“I’ve always been somebody to move forward,” she said. “I’m going to spend energy and continue to give back to the game of golf.”

Sorenstam, 50, won 72 times on the LPGA including 10 major championships and remains the only woman in history to shoot 59. The mother of two thrust herself into the business world after her retirement from the tour in 2008, building her ANNIKA brand and boosting the game worldwide. In 2019, more than 600 girls from 60-plus countries competed in seven events across five continents through the Annika Foundation. There are 146 players competing on the Symetra Tour who have played in Sorenstam’s events and more than 60 players that have status on the LPGA.

Last December, the International Golf Federation Board elected Sorenstam as IGF President, a significant role given that the Olympics Games are scheduled this summer. In September, the eight-time Solheim Cup player and 2017 captain will lead Team Europe at the Junior Solheim Cup in Toledo, Ohio.

Many feel her sterling reputation a global ambassador for golf has now been significantly tarnished.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people, and you can imagine the range of emotions and comments,” Sorenstam said. “I hear clearly those who see it differently. … Now I’ve got my golf hat on. I am going to continue to be the mother I am, continue to be the philanthorpist I am, continue to be the golfer that I am. This week I’m going to pick up the clubs and we’re going to do that.”

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Mel Reid opens up about her recent engagement, Solheim Cup parties and her biggest goal

Golfweek caught up with the recently engaged 33-year-old English player. Here are some excerpts from that conversation.

Mel Reid makes her debut in the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions this week in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Golfweek caught up with the 33-year-old English player to chat about her recent engagement to Carly Grenfell, her first time snowboarding in the U.S., 2020 Olympic dreams and the challenge of replacing practice buddy Brooks Koepka after relocating to Jacksonville, Florida.

Here are excerpts from that conversation:

You had some exciting personal news to end 2020. Congratulations! Can you tell us about the proposal?

It’s actually really funny. I was speaking to Howard (Falco), my mental preparation coach, and he was like, is something bothering you? This was at CME, he said, you haven’t been yourself the past couple of weeks. Obviously, I knew I was going to do it that Sunday of CME in West Palm with friends. I think that probably wasn’t the smartest move on my part, kind of those three weeks. One our friends was an absolute baller getting all of our friends together without letting Carly know. We stayed at The Ben, one of our favorite places in West Palm. I don’t know why I expected it to be just us lot. I thought I’d be fine. But it was absolutely packed, and I had to do it in front of everybody. I literally hugged my mate, I was like I can’t do this, I can’t do this. I said to Carly do you know why everyone is here? She was like no. It’s your engagement party and then I just stood there for an awkward 10 seconds and she was like are you going to ank then? Oh sh$t, yeah. It was the most awkward I’ve ever been in my life. But yeah, luckily she said yes. She didn’t really have a choice, bless her.

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I know Carly got a job at the PGA Tour (in social media). Have you relocated?

We moved (to Jacksonville) the first week in November, so we’re pretty much settled in here now. She absolutely loves her job. … Got a nice golf club up here and the guys have been really nice, cool vibes. We’re happy here.

Where do you practice out of now and have you found someone to replace Brooks (Koepka)?

I haven’t been able to replace Brooks. I play a little bit with a guy called Vinny (Covello) who plays the Korn Ferry and PGA and Chris Baker. I’m at Atlantic Beach Country Club … there’s like eight of us that are up there and I’m the only girl.

What are you working on with swing coach Jorge Parada looking ahead to the season?

It was my shortest offseason by far but I’m not complaining.  It was quite nice for him because normally it takes me a week or so just to get back in the groove, where this time it only took a couple of hours. We’re trying to just get a better impact position, a more consistent golf swing.

Backing up for a second, I saw that you went snowboarding. Where did you go?

We went to Park City. I didn’t go home at Christmas. We booked like three different flights. But I spoke to my dad and my family and they were just like, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come over (to England). I think they’re going to lock us down again. We’re probably going to have to alternate Christmases anyway, so I said to Carly why don’t we just go to your family in Nebraska, have a few chill days, but then if we’re staying there, I definitely want to go snowboarding. I was my first time snowboarding over here in America and I absolutely loved it. I thought Park City was a sick little town.

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A bit of time has passed now since your break-through win. How do you think it changed you?

I think it obviously changed me a little bit. Not that I didn’t think I belonged. I hadn’t kind of put in the results that I wanted. I just felt like, yeah, look it’s hard to win on the LPGA. Really, really great golfers go through their careers not being able to cross that line. It was nice to get the monkey off my back. It just allows a little bit of freedom, a little bit of security. Gets you in the big tournaments, gets you up in the world rankings and secures your card. That’s a huge relief out here because it is a grind sometimes and I did that more than I wanted to.

Now my head is thinking I want to win more and more because I just obviously Ioved that feeling. I love being in contention. I just want the feeling as much as possible. We’re looking at majors and obviously winning multiple times. We’ve got some big goals this year. I’m going to try and work my ass off to try and achieve them.

What’s the biggest goal?

I’d like to get to the Olympics, if I’m honest. I’ve not kind of shied away from that. I think of myself, playing multiple sports growing up I’ve always been a fan of the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics. To me, that would be the ultimate goal.

I forgot to ask, how did you meet Carly?

We met randomly in Paris at the Ryder Cup. I was commentating and my best mate Molly Gallatin brought Carly out to do some social media for the PGA of America and obviously we went out a few times and Carly kind of joined us and that was it really. We stayed a couple extra days in Paris and I moved to America that Wednesday.

Wait, but weren’t you already planning to move to America that Wednesday?

Yeah, I’d already booked my flight the week before and put my house on the market. I was like, oh by the way, I’m moving to America on Wednesday. She’s been stuck with me ever since, the poor thing.

What is your favorite outside-the-ropes Solheim Cup memory?

Parties. The Sunday parties are by far one of the best nights of the year. It is the best night every two years for sure for me. I think especially in the European team room. We get the Americans coming in, and we’re renowned for having a little bit of a better party than the Americans whether we win or lose. The Sunday is just something special. I don’t know if you know this Beth Ann, but I do quite like to party.

I’ve heard this (laughs).

I’ve slowed down a little bit in my old age, but I can still get after it sometimes.

Are you a good dancer?

No. I think I am, that’s the issue. I get very confident. I just squat and move my hips.

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Huge lineup of marquee courses for the big events this season: Carnoustie, Olympic Club, Inverness, Atlanta Athletic. What’s the one course that you’d love to see a major go to that you’ve never played?

Obviously Pebble Beach, even though I know that’s (coming up). Looking at the men’s U.S. Open probably Winged Foot as well. And I think it would be really cool to have a tournament at Augusta, eventually. … It’s kind of at the top of my bucket list.

I’m curious what your reaction was to how Justin Thomas handled what happened at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in terms of how he addressed the media afterwards.

Loads of people have asked me about this, and I’ve kind of not commented on it, purely because I don’t think he’s homophobic. I think it was a mistake. I don’t think he’s that kind of guy.

What are you and Howard Falco talking about and focusing on in getting to the next step between the ears?

Obviously, I can’t tell you all my secrets. One thing I do love about Howard is that he’s always on my ass, which is really good for me. Sometimes I’m like, oh I’ve got it, when I really don’t. … We speak a couple times a week even on weeks off just to kind of keep the intention there. I guess he’s just trying to make my brain strong just as my trainer Ken (Macdonald) is trying to make my squats stronger.

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Gaby Lopez survives seven-hole playoff to win LPGA TOC

Gaby Lopez outlasted Inbee Park and Nasa Hataoka to win the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

A gutsy Gaby Lopez poured in a 25-foot birdie putt on the seventh playoff hole to claim the season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. The 197-yard par-3 18th proved a beast of a hole all week long, with only six birdies recorded among LPGA players. Lopez was responsible for three of them.

What started out as a three-way playoff with LPGA Hall of Famer Inbee Park, Nasa Hataoka and Lopez was whittled down to two once darkness fell at Tranquilo Golf Course. Flood lights and a Jumbotron lit up the green as fans chanted “One more hole!” Ultimately, Hataoka and Lopez had to come back on a chilly Monday morning to resume play as temperatures dipped into the 40s.

“I proved to myself that I can win any situation,” said Mexico’s Lopez, who claimed her second LPGA title.

On Sunday, Lopez birdied the 18th in regulation to cap off a 66 and make her way into the playoff. The changing conditions had her switching between a 3 hybrid and 4 hybrid throughout the evening. By Monday morning, however, Lopez said she had the distance worked out precisely with the help of her caddie, coach and Trackman. She even backed off a bit behind the tee markers on the seventh playoff hole, striking a 3-hybrid exactly as she designed.

After matching pars on the first six playoff holes, Lopez poured in the first birdie on a putt she’d seen several times before. Hataoka had a chance to match it from only 12 feet but missed it left so badly it never had a chance.

It marked the fourth-longest sudden-death playoff in tour history, matching the 2004 LPGA Takefuji Classic where Cristie Kerr defeated Seol-An Jeon. The longest sudden-death playoff came at the 1972 Corpus Christi Civitan Open when Jo Ann Prentice defeated Sandra Palmer and Kathy Whitworth in 10 holes.

When Golf Channel’s Jerry Foltz asked Lopez if she was glad she didn’t have to see Tranquilo’s 18th hole for another 52 weeks, she smiled and said no.

“I do have a feeling for this hole,” she said.

It made her a winner once more.

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LPGA: No breach in the way Nasa Hataoka marked her ball at TOC

As Nasa Hataoka finished her round at the Tournament of Champions, Twitter was aflutter about the way she marked her ball on the 11th hole.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – As Nasa Hataoka finished up regulation play at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, Twitter was aflutter about the way she marked her ball on the 11th hole.

A viewer had taped part of what transpired on the green at Tranquilo Golf Course and questioned whether or not the 21-year-old had replaced the ball on the wrong side of the coin.

The LPGA confirmed there was no breach, saying that the rules official watching the telecast saw no violation. In fact, the fan’s video cut off part of Hataoka’s routine, in which she moves the ball from in front of the coin to behind the coin and then back to in front of the coin.

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Hataoka, a three-time winner on the LPGA who is currently No. 6 in the world, was never questioned about it as the official said no rule was broken. The Japanese player went into a playoff against Inbee Park and Gaby Lopez. Park was the first to bow out after making a bogey on the par-3 18th.

The playoff was suspended at 6:04 p.m. due to darkness. Hataoka and Lopez will return at 8 a.m. on Monday to resume play.

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