Chairman Ridley presents the trophy to Augusta Women’s Amateur winner Lottie Ward.
Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the Masters, has confirmed that it has no intention of hosting a women’s professional tournament.
Augusta Golf Club has expanded its horizons to women’s golf by hosting a women’s amateur tournament since 2019, and there have been constant speculations that it will soon host a women’s professional tournament.
Augusta National Golf Club President Fred Ridley said at a press conference on the 11th (Korean time), “There are some basic difficulties (in holding a women’s professional tournament),” and added, “It would be best to tie the women’s amateur tournament with the Masters.” “It’s the same,” he said.
This means that the current method of holding women’s amateur competitions ahead of the Masters will be maintained for the time being.
Chairman Ridley said, “Augusta Golf Club is basically a winter and spring course, so it is very difficult to hold a professional tournament twice a year.”
Augusta National Golf Club is closed in the summer. This is because the grass cannot be maintained in optimal condition during hot weather.
In particular, Chairman Ridley said, “We are adding an element of ‘mystery and magic’ by closing the course at the end of May,” adding, “If we want to maintain the ‘mystery and magic’ that is unique to the Masters, we cannot afford to hold another golf tournament.” did.
The ‘mystery and magic’ mentioned by Chairman Ridley refers to preparations for playing the Masters with the best course conditions.
Augusta Golf Club is closed for more than six months a year and the course is renovated to ensure that the Masters can be played in the best condition possible.
Chairman Ridley also added, “It is difficult to hold major tournaments in the fall the way we want.”
The Masters was held in mid-November due to the 2020 novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic.
Chairman Ridley commented, “Dustin Johnson, the winner at that time, did a good job.”
Meanwhile, Chairman Ridley clearly expressed his opinion that he supports suppressing distance by limiting golf ball repulsion force promoted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and R&A.
He said, “The Masters has been held at 6,900 yards for 70 years. This year, it is expected to be 7,600 yards. I hope it will not be held on an 8,000-yard course, but if things continue the way they are now, there is a high possibility that it will be held in the future.” “I support it,” he said. 토토사이트