Major champion Popov overlooked for exemption to LPGA finale

Sophia Popov t playing ANA Inspiration after her Women’s British Open victory was understandable. ANA Inspiration was postponed until September because of pandemic and, just like Masters, decided to leave field as if it were played first week in April.

More curious is Popov, one of more celebrated stories in women’s golf this year, t playing this week in CME Group Tour Championship.

By book, she didn’t qualify. LPGA Tour only awards Race to CME Globe points to members, and Popov wasn’t eligible to be a full member until after her victory at Royal Troon.

Because of pandemic-shortened season, LPGA increased field from top 60 to top 70 in points, along with awarding CME two sponsor exemptions. Popov played in seven tournaments that counted after winning her first major and finished at . 82.

title sponsor decided to give two free spots to Sarah Jane Kemp and Natalie Gulbis. Kemp, who is at . 100 on Race to CME Globe, has an endorsement deal with CME. Gulbis has me one cut in 33 events over last five years.

Terry Duffy, chairman and CEO of CME Group, told Golfweek he wanted two exemptions for his corporate ambassors, Kemp and Cheyenne Knight, who wound up getting into field on her own. He said wanted Gulbis because he has kwn her since 2005 and she was instrumental in CME deciding to be an LPGA title sponsor.

Sponsor exemptions are right of company footing bill — a big bill, in this case — though it's rare when a player left out is a reigning major champion.

Until Monday, Tour Championship didn’t have . 1 player in world. Jin Young Ko stayed in South Korea during pandemic to be with her family, and U.S. Women’s Open was her third event of year. She tied for second to move into top 70.

Popov will have to watch from home, which in this case is in Naples, Florida, where Tour Championship is played.

“It was a great year for me,” Popov said on eve of Women’s Open. “And it’s something that I would have loved to play CME just because it’s Naples, it’s my hometown, and every year I’ve been re watching girls and watching my friends. I felt like this year I definitely deserved to be re, and I’m still t in.”

CME is a strong supporter of LPGA Tour, offering biggest paycheck ($1.1 million) of year. But this decision to leave out one of four major champions is likely to raise eyebrows during what should be a week of celebration.

GOLF CHANNEL EVOLUTION

new year brings a new morning program on Golf Channel with a new face and an old name.

“Golf Today” debuts on Jan. 4 as a live, daily program that effectively takes over for “Morning Drive” as network moves to its new hequarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

Shane Bacon, who worked for Fox Sports when it h USGA contract, is joining Golf Channel on “Golf Today” show with fellow hosts Damon Hack, Jimmy Roberts and Anna Whiteley. Bacon also will be part of “Golf Central Live From” cover and contribute play-by-play and reporting during certain tournaments.

title of new show takes Golf Channel to its earliest days. “Golf Today” was name of original pre-tournament show when channel launched in 1995. As for “Morning Drive,” that starts to wind down this week after being a weekday show for better part of a dece.

Molly Solomon, executive producer of Golf Channel, referred to “Golf Today” as a natural progression in daily studio programming.

“At midday, we can le daily golf conversation with access to newsmakers in all time zones, tour players on range preparing for upcoming tournaments and live press conferences,” Solomon said. “We’re also thrilled to welcome Shane Bacon as a co-host of ‘Golf Today.’ Shane has developed an avid fan base with his fresh and insightful approach across his work on golf brocasts, social media and podcasts.”

“Golf Central” will continue to be shown in its evening time slot, along with pre- and post-tournament windows, with episodes re-airing on weekday mornings.

WEISKOPF CANCER

Tom Weiskopf has begun his battle with pancreatic cancer. former British Open champion and esteemed golf course architect told Golfweek that he experienced sharp pain in his stomach while walking Troon Country Club in Arizona with members during a course re-opening.

He h his first round of chemorapy last week.

“I’ve got a rough four to six months ahe of me” Weiskopf told Golfweek.

He said diagsis was “quite a blow” but that he remained in good spirits and has talked to a group of friends that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tony Jacklin, Andy rth, Ed Sneed and Lanny Wkins.

EUROPEAN TOUR

European Tour anunced a 2021 schedule of at least 42 events in 24 countries, with a reduction in Rolex Series events. Those that remain in lucrative series will have increased prize money.

Some tournaments have t been confirmed, ors have been moved around and tour is keeping part of a “UK Swing” that was effective in creating a bubble environment during restart from COVID-19 pandemic.

Rolex Series events will be Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (Justin Thomas is among those playing), Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship and season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Prize money will increase by $1 million to $8 million, with Dubai going to $9 million.

Also key to schedule are 18 events returning in 2021 that were eir canceled or postponed this year.

Among new events are Tenerife Open and Gran Canaria Open right after Masters. y will be followed by Portugal Masters to create an Iberian Swing.

ROSAFORTE HORED

Tim Rosaforte will receive 2021 Memorial Golf Journalism Award next year at Muirfield Vill for his more than four deces as a writer and brocaster. Rosaforte retired last year with health issues and recently was diagsed with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Rosaforte will be hored June 2 at Muirfield Vill with Jim Nantz of CBS, 2020 horee. re was ceremony this year because of pandemic. Tournament host Jack Nicklaus called Rosaforte with news.

“Tim has been a great friend for some 40 years,” Nicklaus said. “Tim is also one of this generation’s great golf journalists. He has developed relationships and trust from so many in game, and you always knew that if re was an important story to be told in golf, Tim was going to be first call you received and usually first one to report it.”

Rosaforte received PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism in 2014 and recently became first journalist awarded horary membership in PGA.

DIVOTS

HSBC has renewed golf partnerships to continue with HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championships event in Shanghai, and HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore on LPGA Tour. Both events were canceled this year because of pandemic. ... Sami Valimaki is first player from Finaland to win Sir Henry Cotton Award as European Tour's rookie of year. ... Inbee Park's 68 in final round at Champions Golf Club was her 24th subpar round in U.S. Women's Open, tying Beth Daniel and Betsy King for career record. ... For first time since 2009, LPGA produced first-time winners in all majors.

STAT OF WEEK

A Lim Kim is third woman since 2014 to win in her major championship debut, joining Hyo Joo Kim in 2014 Evian Championship and Hinako Shibu in 2019 Women's British Open.

FINAL WORD

“ motivation's never changed, really. I get to get up each day and do job I love. I've always wanted to be a golfer, and I don't want it to end.” — Lee Westwood after becoming . 1 on European Tour for third time.

(Im credits: AP)