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Osaka to start 2025 season in Auckland; moves into 2024 Beijing main draw
Naomi Osaka will be kicking off the new year in New Zealand. Former World No.1 Osaka will start her 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, the WTA 250 tournament announced this week. Main-draw play in New Zealand's largest city begins on Monday, December 30, 2024. “I am looking forward to just embracing the nature of Auckland and of course, playing in a tournament that I have not played in for a long time,” Osaka said, as she looks ahead to her first Auckland showing in eight years. “I am excited to return to Auckland for the ASB Classic 2025. When I was there last time, I was fortunate to go on a helicopter tour and explore the beaches which I thought were really beautiful. ... My other memory is that Auckland has the best salmon.” It will be Osaka's second ASB Classic appearance. Her first Auckland showing was in 2017, when she still had yet to crack the Top 40 of the PIF WTA Singles Rankings. Osaka reached the Auckland quarterfinals that year, losing to eventual finalist Ana Konjuh. Since then, Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles (2018 and 2020 US Open, and 2019 and 2021 Australian Open), spent 25 weeks ranked World No.1, and given birth to her daughter Shai in 2023. Osaka made her comeback from maternity leave at the start of this year. She began this season ranked No.833, and is now up to World No.76. Some highlights of her 2024 season include runs to the quarterfinals at WTA 1000 Doha and 's-Hertogenbosch, and holding match point against eventual champion Iga Swiatek in a thrilling Roland Garros match. Story by https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4122593/osaka-to-start-2025-season-in-auckland-moves-into-2024-beijing-main-draw
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Featured Groups: 2024 Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G
The third edition of the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G is being contested this week at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio. Despite being held the week after the Solheim Cup, the 144-player field is stacked with some of the Tour's top talent, including Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda, LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko, 11-time LPGA Tour winner Lexi Thompson and 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup champion Rose Zhang. Defending champion Minjee Lee is also set to compete and will be joined by eight total 2024 winners, most notably U.S. Women's Open champion Yuka Saso and KPMG Women's PGA Championship winner Amy Yang. Take a look at just some of the featured groups at this week's Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, using data provided by KPMG Performance Insights: Story by Sarah Kellam https://www.lpga.com/news/2024/featured-groups-2024-kroger-queen-city-championship-presented-by-pg
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Figure out your weakness...
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/no-girls-allowed_activity-7237883456771276800-hB16?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
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Unbeaten Orlando on Track to Make History as NWSL Playoffs Approach
With just six games to play, the currently unbeaten Orlando Pride could become the first club in NWSL history to finish regular-season play without a single loss. Having already clinched an NWSL playoff spot — the Pride's first since 2017 — Orlando extended their record-breaking unbeaten run to 21 with Friday's 0-0 draw with third-place Kansas City. The weekend's result was also the club's fourth-straight clean sheet, setting a new club record. However, the path to NWSL glory won't be easy: Orlando will face four top teams before the regular season's early November finale. Story by Claire Watkins https://justwomenssports.com/reads/unbeaten-orlando-pride-make-nwsl-history-washington-spirit-clinch-playoffs-spot/
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A'ja Wilson Breaks WNBA Single-Season Scoring Record
The WNBA has a new single-season scoring champ in A'ja Wilson, who surpassed Jewell Loyd's 2023 record of 939 points by dropping 27 against Indiana on Wednesday, boosting her season total to 956. With four games left in Las Vegas's season, Wilson could easily become the first WNBA player to ever record 1,000+ points in one season. "She's not just the best player in the world, she might be the most loved and adored by her teammates. I mean, this woman is special," commented Aces head coach Becky Hammon after the game. Story by Claire Watkins https://justwomenssports.com/reads/aja-wilson-breaks-wnba-single-season-scoring-points-record/
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The Driving Force in Golf's Participation Boom: Women
Years ago, whenever Tuscany Williams traveled with her husband, they would make a habit of trying to meet new people through one of their shared hobbies: golf. But every time, Williams would notice something different about their experiences on the course. “He would step on a course and have like, a thousand guys that he could hang out with, and then they’re all mates by the end of the round,” the 32-year-old Williams says. “And I’d step on the course and go, ‘Where are the girls at?’” In a bid to find them, Williams launched a page called “Women Who Golf” on Facebook. The now 87,000-member group promptly exploded during the pandemic, a surge in popularity that also reflects a quiet but powerful trend propelling the sport’s overall popularity: The golf boom is being fueled by women. This sudden growth, which stretches from the recreational level all the way through to the professional ranks, will be on full display this week at the Solheim Cup, the biennial women’s competition between the U.S. and Europe. A record crowd of well over 100,000 fans are expected to line the galleries at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, where the American squad led by Nelly Korda is angling to win for the first time since 2017. Source: Aaron Doster/Reuters Story by Rachel Bachman, Andrew Beaton https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/golf/the-driving-force-in-golf-s-participation-boom-women/ar-AA1qvLRM
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"It's why I don't let my wife play..." WTH? A Conversation That Fuels Change
This past Sunday, while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere at the BMW Championship and standing on the first tee box, I had the pleasure of meeting some truly amazing people. Amidst the excitement, a conversation about my “No Girls Allowed” hat led to a moment of reflection and frustration. When asked about the meaning behind our brand, which stands for advocating equal treatment for women in golf and all sports, I was met with a response that perfectly illustrates the kind of outdated thinking we’re striving to change. One individual remarked, “Yeah, I don’t ask my wife to play because I don’t want my game to take all day.” Another added, “Yep, that’s why I don’t let my wife play. After three shots, she’s only about 100 feet off the tee box, which drives me crazy.” These comments are a glaring example of the very attitudes that perpetuate gender-based stereotypes in golf. It’s astonishing that in this day and age, such remarks still surface. What these individuals seem to forget is that everyone starts as a beginner—struggling to hit the ball and learning the ropes of the game. It’s precisely this kind of narrow-minded perspective that frustrates me. The stigma surrounding women golfers as being “slow,” “not powerful enough,” or “a hindrance on the course” is not just outdated—it’s unfair. It ignores the reality that, like any golfer, women deserve the opportunity to develop their skills without being judged or held back by baseless stereotypes. In response to these comments, I couldn’t help but think how invigorating it would be to challenge these naysayers to a round of golf at my club. I’m confident that my friends and I could out-drive and outplay them—even in challenging conditions. This isn’t about proving a point, but about demonstrating that skill in golf isn’t determined by gender. The need for change is clear. The reluctance some have to embrace women in golf stems from a deeply ingrained bias that must be addressed. We need to foster a culture of inclusivity, where everyone—regardless of gender—feels welcomed and encouraged to play. This shift in perspective is crucial for making the sport more inviting and enjoyable for all players. Our mission with “No Girls Allowed” is to challenge these outdated perceptions and push for a more supportive environment. By changing the dialogue and dismantling these stereotypes, we can help ensure that every golfer, regardless of their background or experience, feels empowered to enjoy the game. Let’s work together to create a golf community where everyone, from beginners to seasoned players, can step up to the tee with confidence and enthusiasm. By embracing one another and rejecting outdated biases, we can make golf a more welcoming and enjoyable sport for everyone.
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Great time at the BMW Championship
We had a fantastic time at the BMW Classic golf tournament this weekend! It was an incredible experience connecting with fellow golf enthusiasts, sports some of our latest products, and soaking up the excitement of the game. Getting to be within arm's length of some of the biggest names in the PGA was exhilarating. We especially enjoyed watching Rory McIlroy’s genuine interactions with his fans; even after a challenging last hole, he still managed to smile and high-five a few lucky fans. It was a reminder of the passion and sportsmanship that make golf so special.
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CONGRATS, LAUREN COUGHLIN, ON YOUR 1ST LPGA TOUR TITLE!
After 103 LPGA tournaments, Lauren Coughlin finally takes home her first win... So proud of her tenacity and drive (so to speak, ha-ha)! Source: 2024 Getty Images https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/coughlin-pedersen-take-in-tgl-match-on-tuesday-at-sofi-center?fbclid=IwY2xjawIkb8tleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYipYgZIGUlnQKTDv12hN9B1uclCHlLTt1BOPLvfa3XTRUmaLE1ta1fbSQ_aem_wdkEtEu_hP-fiaocxSqZwg
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