The party and LPGA season begins at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

The party and LPGA season begins at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. LPGA commissioner Mike Whan predicted the new Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions would be the biggest party on tour.Apparently, he wasnt just talking about the nightlife.In Thursdays first round of the LPGAs season opener, tour winners mixed with celebrities and sports stars in a day of more rollicking fun than youll see in any other womens event this year.Today was a bit wilder than normal, and I liked it, Danielle Kang said after opening with a 3-under 68, which left her three shots behind co-leaders Brooke Henderson and Eun-Hee Ji. I had a blast.Kang played with country music star Lee Brice serenading her with his hit songs. She heard renditions of Rumors, I Dont Dance and other tunes.Lee was singing while I was hitting, Kang said.Stacy Lewis thrived in her first start since giving birth to her first child last October. She shot 66 playing alongside Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester and former Atlanta Braves lefty Tom Glavine.I had a lot of fun, Lewis said. They were taking things pretty seriously, too. You could tell they wanted to play well and do well. I think that kind of helped me get into a normal rhythm of playing.They werent tour level serious, though.They at least waited until the last couple holes to pull out the beer, Lewis said. But it was fun.Lydia Ko raved about playing alongside former Major League Baseball catchers Ivan Pudge Rodriguez and A.J. Pierzynski. She also opened with a 66.Hands down my favorite, best pairing Ive ever been in, Ko said. It was just so much fun.Pierzynski relished the experience, too.Shes amazing, Pierzynski said, with a crumpled, empty can in his back pocket after the round. She hit it perfect every single time. It made me feel bad. It made me want to get better. I dont think I could get there.Ariya Jutanugarn is the Rolex world No. 1, but she felt like supporting cast in her grouping with former MLB players Josh Beckett and Kevin Millar. She opened with a 67 but marveled more at the excitement her partners were creating.She said Beckett blasted one drive 60 yards past her. Shes one of the longest hitting women on tour.Every hole he had a chance at eagle, Jutanugarn cracked. I thought, 'Maybe Im not that good.She also marveled at how autograph seekers swarmed her playing partners.Nobody asked me for an autograph, she said, good naturedly.Lexi Thompson opened strong with a 67 while playing with former Atlanta Braves pitchers John Smoltz and Greg Maddux.

Mardy Fish led the celebrity field with 39 points in the modified Stableford format. That amounted to 68 on his regular scorecard. The newly named U.S. Davis Cup captain is going for his third Diamond Resorts title.Golf Channels Blair ONeal, NHL legend Jeremy Roenick and former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder were each two points back.Roenick joked that his best chance to win is getting in the heads of Fish, Mulder and the other favorites.I need to talk a bit more about how good they are, how proud I am to be playing with them, how I am in awe of them, Roenick said. Then, hopefully, theyll get big heads.Kang summed up how different this tournament is when asked about her closing bogey after mis-clubbing on the 18th tee, a par 3.I forgot the number on the tee box, said Kang, who didnt bother stepping off to re-set. I don't know what I was doing. I just hit it. I usually wouldn't  ... I mean, it kind of takes you out of your routine and all that. It's OK. Sometimes, you've got to roll with the punches. This type of tournament, you've got to have fun.


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 14, 2018 - The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Diamond Resorts™ announced today that the 2019 LPGA Tour season will begin with the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, to be held from Jan. 17-20, 2019, at Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort Orlando in Lake Buena Vista, Fla
Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions to Kick Off 2019 LPGA


The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Diamond Resorts™ announced today that the 2019 LPGA Tour season will begin with the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, to be
Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions to Kick Off 2019 LPGA


The party is coming in January in the form of a new season-opening event, the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by IOA. The limited field event features 36 players, all of which were winners during the 2017 or 2018 seasons.
Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions to Kick Off 2019 LPGA


LPGA commissioner Mike Whan predicted the new Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions would be the biggest party on tour. He wasn't kidding. The party - and LPGA season - begins at Diamond
LPGA is Ready To Party At Diamond Resorts Tournament of


Mixing LPGA champs, celebs at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions pays dividends as the LPGA begins 2019 in Orlando.
LPGA is Ready To Party At Diamond Resorts Tournament of


The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Diamond Resorts™ announced today that the 2019 LPGA Tour season will begin with the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, to be held from Jan. 17-20, 2019, at Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort Orlando in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Winners from the last two LPGA seasons


The party is coming in January in the form of a new season-opening event, the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by IOA. The limited field event features 36 players, all of which
The party - and LPGA season - begins at Diamond Resorts


LPGA commissioner Mike Whan predicted the new Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions would be the biggest party on tour. He wasn't kidding. The party - and LPGA season - begins at Diamond
The party - and LPGA season - begins at Diamond Resorts

The party - and LPGA season - begins at Diamond Resorts


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - LPGA commissioner Mike Whan predicted the new Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions would be the biggest party on tour. Apparently, he wasn't just talking about the nightlife.
Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions: Party or golf


The Tour's inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions will open 2019 with a huge golf party in Orlando! Is the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions going to be a golf tournament or a party? The LPGA's 2019 season opener is shaping up to be a little bit of both, and it's feeling like a perfect way to start a new season! After all
Mixing LPGA champs, celebs at Diamond Resorts Tournament of

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