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Tiger Woods accepts special exemption to compete at US Open

Written by GolfStrategyZone News Desk in News & Events Published May 2, 2024

Tiger Woods is poised to participate in the US Open this June, having received a special exemption from the US Golf Association.

Woods has claimed victory in the tournament three times, with his most recent win dating back to 2008.

Yet, he no longer qualifies automatically as his five-year exemption, which followed his 2019 Masters victory, expired earlier this year.

The 48-year-old has participated in just two tournaments this year. He placed 60th at last month’s Masters, battling with the enduring effects of a series of injuries.

In a statement, Woods said: “The US Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career.

“I’m honoured to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s US Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game.”

The prestigious US Open is scheduled to take place at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina from June 13 to June 16, 2024.

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Sister, Sister: A Look at the Corda Siblings’ Golf Rivalry

Written by GolfStrategyZone News Desk in Player Profiles Published May 2, 2024

The Corda sisters, Jessica and Nelly, are no strangers to the spotlight. They hail from a sports powerhouse of a family – their parents were both professional tennis players – and that competitive spirit undeniably trickled down to the next generation. Both Jessica and Nelly took up golf at a young age, Jessica starting at 8 and Nelly at 6, and it was clear early on that they possessed serious talent.

In their teenage years, Jessica emerged as the more prominent golfer. She captured the South Atlantic Amateur Open title and even reached the finals of the prestigious US Women’s Amateur. By 17, she was already battling it out at the LPGA Tour qualifying school.

Nelly’s path to success took a slightly different route. While she didn’t make the cut at a major tournament until the US Open at 14, her talent was undeniable. She quickly closed the gap on her sister, turning professional in 2016 and joining the LPGA Tour the following year.

In recent years, the tide has shifted. Nelly has established herself as the more dominant force on the course. She boasts a higher number of LPGA Tour titles, including a coveted win at the Women’s Australian Open. The year 2021 saw her reach the pinnacle of professional golf, achieving the coveted number one ranking in the world. Unfortunately, injuries have hampered Jessica’s progress. In 2023, she announced a break from competition to undergo back surgery.

Despite Nelly’s current reign, the video makes it clear that both Jessica and Nelly are highly skilled golfers. Jessica holds the distinction of having played in more tournaments and has also secured an impressive six LPGA Tour titles herself. However, Nelly’s aggressive playing style and unwavering determination to win have proven to be a potent formula for success.

The video also sheds light on Jessica’s recent life changes. In 2021, she got married, and in 2024, she welcomed her first child. It appears Jessica’s focus has shifted towards family life, and her return to professional golf remains uncertain.

While Nelly may be the more dominant golfer at this point in their careers, there’s no denying that both Corda sisters are accomplished athletes who have served as an inspiration to golf fans around the world. Their sibling rivalry has undoubtedly pushed them both to achieve greater heights, and their individual journeys within the world of professional golf continue to be captivating stories.

Recommended: Nelly Korda: Champion Golfer Reflects on Victory, Perseverance, and Family

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15-year-old Ashley Shaw makes her debut on the LPGA Tour this weekend!

Written by GolfStrategyZone News Desk in News & Events Published May 8, 2023

Litchfield Park native Ashley Shaw secured a spot on the LPGA Tour, where she will compete against the world’s top female golfers following her victory at The John Shippen Cognizant Cup on Monday.

Ashley Shaw, a 15-year-old from Litchfield Park, Arizona, showcased her skills at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J. She clinched the John Shippen Cognizant Cup with a one-over par 73, triumphing by a two-stroke lead on Monday.

Securing victory in the tournament granted the teenager a place on the LPGA Tour, where she is set to compete in the upcoming Cognizant Founders Cup this weekend. The tournament will take place at the prestigious Upper Montclair Country Club, courtesy of a sponsor’s exemption.

The 15-year-old will compete against the top female golfers globally, such as Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, Jin Young Ko, and over two dozen others who have triumphed in major tournaments on the LPGA Tour.

“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity that THE JOHN SHIPPEN, Intersport and Sommer Woods has given me to play in this event,” Shaw said in a press release. “To have the opportunity to play in an LPGA event is amazing. To be just 15 and to be able to have that experience of playing in a tournament with professionals at such a young age … I’m extremely grateful.”

Shaw clinched victory in the eight-player Cognizant Cup, triumphing as the sole amateur golfer amidst the field. Despite facing challenges early on with a bogey and double bogey on the eighth and ninth holes, respectively, she reached the halfway mark with a score of three over par.

Yet, she birdied the 10th and 11th holes, and subsequently parred the final seven holes to secure the tournament victory, triumphing over Mariah Stackhouse from Atlanta, aged 30, and Georgia Oboh from England, aged 23, by a margin of two strokes.

Shaw will mark her LPGA debut on Mother’s Day weekend following her victory in a tournament where her mom, Sylvia, supported her as a caddy.

“I’m blessed,” Sylvia Shaw said. “I’m excited and am a very proud mom. Ashley works very hard, and to see her experience the hard work coming to fruition is remarkable.”

Even at the age of 15, Shaw’s performance is garnering significant recognition.

In 2022, when she was 13, she caught the eye of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who is an avid golfer.

Shaw became a member of a novel junior golf circuit known as The Underrated Tour, with the mission of promoting fairness and inclusivity in the sport.

She emerged victorious in the inaugural girls’ division of the Curry Cup, providing her with the opportunity to meet the tournament’s eponym.

“I found it funny when I walked up to the tee box, he was like, ‘Hi, I’m Steph,'” Shaw told AJGA.org in 2022. “And I was like, do you really need an introduction?”

Securing victory in the Curry Cup granted Shaw the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational. There, she had the privilege of meeting Annika Sorenstam, one of the most esteemed female golfers in history.

Now, her performance will be observed by the current stars of the game, whom Shaw aspires to succeed in the coming years.

Shaw currently holds the 194th position in the American Junior Golf Association rankings. Her ascent began after achieving a tied 11th position in the Jim Click Automotive/HSL Properties Championship in Tucson in May 2023, a tournament she triumphed in during 2022.

Since then, she achieved various rankings in different golf championships: tied for 132nd in the 2023 Girl’s Junior PGA Championship in August 2023, tied for 30th in the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship in December 2023, secured 5th place in the Mizuno West Coast Classic on March 14, tied for 16th in the Sacramento Junior Championship on March 28, and landed in 3rd place in the Mesa Hohokams Junior All-Star on May 2.

Shaw started competing in AJGA tournaments in 2021 and is set to travel to London as an ambassador for the Underrated Golf Tour. This event marks the tour’s inaugural tournament in Europe, scheduled for late May.