Concerned Nelly Korda Calls for Immediate Action After Former LPGA Commissioner Abrupt’s Exit
The LPGA Tour has experienced its fair share of challenges over the past three years, facing everything from lost sponsors to early retirements and a dip in TV ratings. Yet, despite these setbacks, the Tour has also seen some impressive highs, including securing major endorsements, witnessing a record-breaking season from Nelly Korda, and hosting one of the biggest event purses in LPGA history at the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship, where the winner took home $4 million.
Through it all, Mollie Marcoux Samaan has been leading the charge, working tirelessly to improve the Tour and ensure that players have the best possible opportunities. Her efforts have played a key role in elevating the LPGA, increasing both the quality of the product and its overall growth. However, just a few weeks ago, Samaan shocked the sports world by announcing her departure as chairwoman of the LPGA Tour. With her gone, Nelly Korda believes there is one key aspect that the Tour needs to be fixed.
Ahead of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Nelly Korda was asked about the process of transition for the Tour, and her ideal scenario regarding the schedule of it. The LPGA Tour has its events aligned in different parts of the coast and the players continue traveling back and forth. From Florida to China to Thailand, it just makes things very difficult.
Taking to this, she replied, “When it comes to schedule, just the flow in it. When we’re on the West Coast having a flow in the West Coast schedule, having all our events kind of aligned so we’re not traveling from coast to coast in the U.S. I think with scheduling it’s just about making it a little easier for us with travel.Then obviously trying to grow the game as many ways as possible, being put on primetime TV, people investing in us and seeing our product. I think all you need is an opportunity and hopefully, we can continue getting those.”