Eight players will earn spots in 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 19, 2019 - For the second consecutive year, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Professionals membership heads to Pinehurst, N.C., and Pinehurst No. 8 for the 32nd edition of the LPGA Professionals National Championship, to be held Aug. 26-28, 2019. For tee times and scoring, click here.
The course, designed by Tom Fazio, was constructed in 1996 and will host the championship for the fifth time in tournament history. The 2018 championship was the first time conducted on Pinehurst No. 8 since 2008.
The LPGA Professionals National Championship was originally organized in 1983 to provide additional playing opportunities for LPGA Professionals. The 54-hole, stroke-play competition has since grown to become the world’s ultimate test for women golf professionals. The tournament features three divisions: Championship (6,322 yards), Challenge (6,027) and Senior (50+, 5,932 yards). The field will be cut to the top 70 and ties after 36 holes.
“We are thrilled to have the championship at Pinehurst No. 8 once again,” said Nancy Henderson, Chief Teaching Officer of the Teaching and Club Professionals and President of the LPGA Foundation. “We are proud that our LPGA Professionals members have the chance alongside female members of the PGA of America to contend on this historic course for a share of the $100,000 purse and the chance to compete in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.”
The top-eight finishers in the Championship division will earn exemptions into the 2020 KPMG PGA Women’s Championship, to be held June 23-28 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. The top five finishers in the Senior division as well as any competitors over age 45 who finish in the top 10 in the Championship division will qualify for the 2019 Senior LPGA Championship, to be held Oct. 14-16 on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind.
Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth, the 2018 T&CP National Champion, will look to defend her title against a Championship division of veteran tournament players. Eiswerth defeated Jimin Kang and Seul-Ki Park last year with a birdie on the second playoff hole to win in her first championship attempt.
“I'm very excited to return to Pinehurst No. 8 in the LPGA Professionals National Championship,” said Eiswerth. “This course requires accuracy and a variety of shots from the player. It is a wonderful test of golf and I can't wait for the opportunity to play it again next week.”
The field includes numerous former LPGA Professionals champions, including four-time winner Jean Bartholomew, three-time LPGA Tour winner Wendy Doolan and 2016 champion Lisa Grimes. Reigning Senior Division champion Barbara Moxness will be going for her third championship title. Ten North Carolina residents are among the field, including Pinehurst natives Sally Austin, Kelly Cap and 2018 Challenge Division winner Charlaine Hirst. Donna Andrews, a six-time LPGA Tour winner, major champion and the director of golf at nearby Pine Needles Resort and Lodge, will also return to compete in the Senior division.
The tournament field represents 25 states, with Florida’s 31 competitors the most of a single state. Other notable players include Nicole Jeray (Ill.) PGA Master Professional Alison Curdt (Calif.) and Joanna Coe (Md.), the PGA Assistant Director at Baltimore Country Club.
Along with competitive play, the championship will host an LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Clinic open to the public on Saturday, Aug. 25. Professionals, amateurs and fans are also welcome to discover and try new golf equipment and products supplied by tournament sponsors and partners during on-site Demo Days on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-26.
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