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US Open Crucial For Women’s Golf

US Open Crucial for Women's Golf

Britain’s Charley Hull tees off alongside world number one Nelly Korda for the first two rounds of this week’s US Open, the biggest championship in women’s golf.

Worth a record-equalling $12m, the event comes at a crucial moment. A new LPGA Tour boss has just been appointed with an immediate priority to halt a perceived period of damaging stagnation.

While other elite women’s sports have boomed, golf has drifted despite attracting larger prize funds for its biggest events. Observers talk of the female game now being “at a crossroads”.

Kessler to the rescue?
So Craig Kessler – a youthful, confident US executive – is moving from the PGA of America to succeed Mollie Marcoux Samaan as commissioner. He has a bulging in-tray of issues to address.

“We have to come out of the blocks strong,” Kessler told reporters when his appointment was announced last week. The 39-year-old officially starts in mid-July, but is already talking to leading players and officials.

He has been dubbed “a young Mike Whan” by former US Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis.

Whan successfully held the commissioner position for more than a decade until 2021, a largely golden period when prize money on the LPGA almost doubled.

He left to take charge of the United States Golf Association, which runs this week’s major championship. With Whan in charge, it is no surprise that Korda will tee off at 14:25 (20:25 BST) with Hull and Lexi Thompson at Erin Hills today.

It is a grouping made with TV ratings and global reach in mind. It is a business move.

That Hull is down to 17th in the world and has not had a top-10 finish since early March, and Thompson is semi-retired, are of secondary importance because both golfers are among the sport’s most recognisable players.

They have large fanbases, they do social media and do it well. Their appeal goes beyond their golf and this is why they are out with the world’s leading player at peak viewing times.

LPGA needs to ‘build bridges’
The ebullient Whan, better than most golf executives, understands such dynamics. He knows how to connect and communicate with players, sponsors and fans alike.

When he moved on from the LPGA, Samaan’s regime struggled to maintain momentum. There was an early setback when players failed to turn up for an important sponsor dinner they were expected to attend.

The then commissioner “took full responsibility” while Terry Duffy, the boss of the backer in question, CME, was furious. “The leadership needs to work with their players to make sure that everybody has a clear understanding of how we grow the game together.” he said.

It was one of a number of setbacks. A proposed merger with the Ladies European Tour looked certain to be completed but came to nothing.

Instead, the LET continued to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and the Aramco Series that underpins its schedule.

At last year’s Solheim Cup, the park-and-ride system was botched, leaving empty seats in first tee grandstands for the start of the most important event in women’s golf. Samaan needed to issue a public apology behalf of the tour.

Players were recently informed that the LPGA’s South Korean rights partners have not paid their bills for 2024 or 2025. The chief marketing and communications officer, Matt Chmura, departed earlier this month after only a year in the job.

Amid all this upheaval came Samaan’s resignation at the end of last year. English veteran Mel Reid, an LPGA board member, told the Golf Channel: “She was under pressure from a lot of players.”

When asked what should be Kessler’s priorities when he takes over, a former major winner told me: “He will need to rebuild some bridges and show that the LPGA is a place where corporations can do business.”

Another insider said that the new commissioner has to reconnect with players and sponsors and “get the tour back to where it was when Mike Whan left it”.

Kessler speaks of pillars to underpin his new regime, starting with “building trust; trust with our players, trust with our sponsors, trust with our fans, and trust with our team”.

In previous eras, stars such as Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie would sit alongside tennis greats such as the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova at the very top of the women’s sporting tree.

While leading tennis pros still command huge attention, there is a perception that golfers have been usurped by female footballers and basketball luminaries such as the Indiana guard Caitlin Clark.

This at a time when Korda has been a dominant and potentially transcendent force and Lydia Ko won Olympic gold and the AIG Women’s Open. They were glory days for players who respectively epitomise elegance and eloquence.

But did the game fully capitalise? Did enough people notice? “Make LPGA golf a destination for media and fans to attend,” said the retired major winner, who retains close contact with the tour.

Kessler seems to agree. “The second major pillar is around being visible,” he said, “and making sure that the incredible stars the LPGA has, who leave it on the course week in and week out, are actually visible and that goes beyond just the broadcasts.”

The new commissioner’s messaging is straight out of the Whan playbook. Kessler takes over during the LPGA’s 75th anniversary and speaks of the need to develop the fanbase while rebuilding a secure financial future.

So there will be plenty of discussion in the background while the world’s best tackle what should be a formidable test at the Wisconsin course that staged the men’s US Open in 2017.

“Even if you think you’ve hit it good, you can [only] exhale when you see it stop,” Korda said. “I think it’s a great big hitter’s golf course, but it’s just demanding in every aspect.”

Hull is the leading British contender but has missed four major cuts since sharing second place at the 2023 US Open. She was also runner-up at the Women’s Open at Walton Heath that year.

Japan’s Yuka Saso is defending champion for an event that carries genuine global appeal and $2.4m for the winner.

Kessler will be watching closely, no doubt hoping the tour’s most recognisable stars can make the impression that was hoped for when the opening round groupings were drawn up.

Bbc.com

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Lando Norris Edges Max Verstappen By 0.008 Seconds In Abu Dhabi GP First Practice

Title contenders Lando Norris and Max Verstappen set the pace in the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ending the day tied at the very top of the timesheets.

Norris, in his McLaren, edged Verstappen’s Red Bull by a mere 0.008 seconds, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc came in third, followed by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli in fourth.

Championship Scenarios

Norris currently leads Verstappen by 12 points heading into the season finale. The Briton can secure his first Formula 1 World Championship if he finishes on the podium, regardless of other results.

Conversely, Verstappen will claim the title if he wins the race and Norris finishes lower than third.

Meanwhile, Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind, faces a steep challenge to become champion. He sat out the first session as IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward completed one of McLaren’s mandatory rookie runs.

Session Context

The first practice in Abu Dhabi is known for being unrepresentative, as it runs in daylight while qualifying and the race occur at twilight, transitioning into night. Many teams opted to run rookie drivers, with only Mercedes and Sauber fielding both of their race drivers.

Leclerc’s performance was promising for Ferrari, finishing just 0.016 seconds off the pace. He shared the session with his brother, Arthur Leclerc, adding to the rookie experience.

As the season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri as they battle for the ultimate prize in a thrilling Abu Dhabi finale.

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2nd Niger Delta Games: Tournament Organisers Impressed With Facilities In Edo State

 

Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.

The project management team was guided round select facility locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.

“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.

He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.

“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.

Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.

The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.

The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.

Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.

Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.

In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Tournament Organisers

Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.

The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.

 

 

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Niger Delta Games 2026: We’ll Deliver A Memorable Championship – Edo State Gov Assures NDDC 

 

 

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has affirmed the readiness of the State to host the next edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival slated for, February, 2026.

He made the commitment on Tuesday when the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin City.

Governor Okpebholo who welcomed the NDDC’s proposal pledged that Edo State would deliver a successful and memorable sports festival. “You have chosen the right state,” the Governor said.

“We are not just the Heartbeat of the Nation for nothing. We have the strength, we have the athletes, and we have what it takes to win every sporting activity.”

The Governor also appealed to the NDDC for a partnership to rehabilitate the Agbor–Uromi Road, which he described as “not motorable,” stressing its importance for economic and social movement.

In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, congratulated Governor Okpebholo on his one year in office and commended his administration’s strides, particularly in the area of sports and infrastructural development.

He explained that the visit was to formally seek Edo State’s hosting of the forthcoming Niger Delta Games with the theme “Beyond Oil: Harnessing Talents.”

According to him, the festival whose maiden edition was held earlier this year with over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta States, was designed to strengthen regional integration using sports as a unifying tool.

He emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration between the NDDC and State Governments, noting that past tensions had hindered progress.

“Your Excellency, NDDC is not a government. It is an interventionist agency. We must always work with state governors if we want to succeed. One of the greatest problems we had in the past was opposition from state governments, but we are bridging that gap,” Ogbuku said.

He highlighted ongoing and completed NDDC projects in Edo State, including interventions in erosion control, ecological challenges, and internal roads in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.

“We know these challenges are bigger than one state alone. That is why we seek partnership,” he added.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, thanked the governor for his strong support and commitment to sports development.

With Edo’s advanced sporting infrastructure and renewed regional collaboration, the February festival is expected to draw athletes from Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and other Niger Delta states, positioning Edo as a central hub for sports excellence in the region.

Also present were the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilo, Esq; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gani Audu; Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Hon. Okogbe Donald; and the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, among other officials.

 

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