Top LPGA Stars Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda Taking Wait-and-See Approach to Potential Women’s LIV Golf Series

While LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman works to grow his fledgling series and make it eligible for Official World Golf Ranking points, he also expressed an underlying interest in working with the LPGA for a separate LIV women’s tour in the near future.

This week, many of women’s golf stars are in New York for the first event of the Aramco Team Series, which is a three-event series that pairs three women’s pro golfers with an amateur for a shot at $1 million in prize funds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The event is sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour, but with sponsor Aramco essentially being the Saudi Arabian oil company, questions naturally turned towards the Saudis footing the bill for a LIV Golf series for women.

Two LPGA stars didn’t speak to whether or not they would join a women’s LIV series, but they were complimentary of Aramco’s efforts to grow the game.

Lexi Thompson on the controversy behind Aramco and Golf Saudi sponsoring Aramco Team Series and Ladies European Tour, and if they should face the same backlash as #LIVGolf:

“They are trying to grow the women’s game, and I support that fully”

Full Quote 👇 pic.twitter.com/biDJ9n0bWL

— LIV Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) October 13, 2022

American Lexi Thompson said:

“I think they are growing the game of golf in women’s golf, and I think that if you speak to any of the Ladies European Tour players, they are extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I think that’s what Aramco is trying to do. They are trying to grow the women’s game, and I support that fully.”

Nelly Korda, who has been ranked No. 1 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings and won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year, nodded in agreement and then added:

“I can only speak for myself, but my eyes are set on the LPGA. That’s all speculation to me. I’m focusing on the LPGA Tour and what’s in front of me, and with all the LIV stuff going on, that’s all speculation, and I don’t focus on speculations.”

Ladies European Tour golfer Charley Hull was more blunt about the topic after winning an event last week, saying, “you’d be mad” to dismiss an offer from LIV if it came to that.

Cover Image Via American Golfer