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Ladies European Tour

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Ladies European Tour
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2024 Ladies European Tour
SportGolf
Founded1978
CEOAlexandra Armas
CountriesBased in Europe.
Schedule includes events outside Europe, in Oceania, Asia, Africa, and the United States.
Most titlesEngland Laura Davies (45)
Related
competitions		European Tour
Official websitehttp://ladieseuropeantour.com

The Ladies European Tour is a professional golf tour for women which was founded in 1978. It is based at Buckinghamshire Golf Club near London in England. Like many UK-based sports organisations it is a company limited by guarantee, a legal structure which enables it to focus on maximising returns to its members through prize money, rather than on making profits for investors. The tour is run by a board of directors and a Players' Council. Most of the players on the tour are European, with members from more than 40 countries internationally. The tour operates tournaments across five continents.

History

The U.S.-based LPGA was founded in 1950, but women's professional golf was slower to get established in Europe. In 1978 the Women's Professional Golfers' Association (WPGA) was formed as part of Professional Golfers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland. A tour was established the following year with Carlsberg as the main sponsor, supporting 12 36-hole tournaments, with several other tournaments including the Women's British Open on the schedule.[1][2] For the first two seasons, the majority of tournaments were held over 36-holes; in 1981, that increased to 54-holes. Total prize money on the tour was planned to rise to £250,000 in 1981, from £80,000 in the inaugural season,[3] but several tournaments and pro-ams were lost after sponsors withdrew.[4]

Carlsberg ended their sponsorship after the 1981 season,[5] and despite initial optimism,[6] the tour experienced further problems during its fourth season in 1982 as several more events were cancelled. The circuit was left with just ten tournaments, from which few players could make a living, and the future of the WPGA was being questioned.[7]

In 1988 the tour members decided to form an independent company, the Women Professional Golfers' European Tour Limited. This new company moved away from the PGA's headquarters at The Belfry and set up its own headquarters at the Tytherington Club in Cheshire. In 1998 the Tour changed its name to European Ladies' Professional Golf Association Limited and again in July 2000 to Ladies European Tour Limited. In 2008 the tour relocated to offices at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club, which is just outside London.[8] In 2010, the LET Access Series (LETAS) was launched as the official development tour.

In January 2020, the Ladies European Tour entered into a joint venture arrangement with the LPGA Tour, with the stated aim of "increasing playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe". The board of directors of Ladies European Golf Venture Limited, which assumed control of the tour, includes high level representatives from the LPGA Tour, European Tour, and The R&A. The 2020 season is the first edition of the Race to Costa Del Sol.

Tournaments

Unlike in men's golf, the European and American tours do not share a common set of majors, although the Women's British Open and The Evian Championship are currently recognised as majors by both organisations.

The Ladies European Tour organises the Solheim Cup when in Europe and in 2011, the Tour received a boost when the European side won for The Cup for the fourth time on home soil at Killeen Castle in Ireland. The success continued when Europe earned an historic first away victory at Colorado Golf Club, winning The Cup for the fifth time in 2013.

A record 26 official money events were scheduled for the 2008 season, which also saw the introduction of a new team competition called the European Ladies Golf Cup. Also, for the first time in several years, the LET scheduled an event opposite one of the LPGA's majors, with the ABN AMRO Open held opposite the LPGA Championship. The schedule dropped to 23 official money events in 2009, but increased to 25 for 2010. In both years, the Ladies Open of Portugal was scheduled opposite the LPGA Championship.

The 2016 schedule featured 21 events including the Olympic Golf Competition in Rio de Janeiro (the biennial Solheim Cup, held in odd-numbered years, is also an official LET event but will next be played in 2017 in Iowa).[9] The total of events has been in steep decline since 2016; the peak was 28 in 2008. The two richest events by far are the two European Majors: The Evian Championship (historically the Evian Masters) and the Women's British Open. In 2016, 10 other events (in Australia, China, Morocco, England, Scotland, Germany, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Japan and Dubai) had prize funds in excess of €450,000, with the remainder having prize funds of between €200,000 and €400,000. Total prize money from the 2016 events passed €14 million.

2023 schedule and results

Main article: 2023 Ladies European Tour

Past tour schedules

Individual LET tournaments have purses fixed in a mixture of Australian dollars, British pounds, euro, New Zealand dollars and U.S. dollars, so year on year changes in the total prize fund reflect exchange rate fluctuations as well as prize fund movements in constant currencies.

Year Ranking
tournaments		 Countries[a] Total purse[b]
2023 29 21
2022 34 22 €5,375,000+
$24,700,000
2021 23 15 €4,630,000+
$15,100,000
2020 24 18 €17,834,000
2019 20 13
2018 15 9 €11,486,888
2017 16 11
2016 21 15 €14,063,149
2015 20 14 €12,638,013
2014 23 18 €11,502,840
2013 22 17 €10,870,618
2012 24 19 €11,806,680
2011 25 20 €11,032,500
2010 25 21 €11,048,525
2009 21 16 €9,940,358
2008 28 21 €11,647,814
2007 24 18 €10,563,950
2006 20 16 €9,674,536
2005 18 14 €7,875,255
2004 15 10 €7,298,245
2003 14 10 €7,442,162
2002 14 10 €7,626,724
2001 15 12 £4,509,905
2000 16 11 £3,765,000
1999 15 10 £3,197.999
1998 11 9 £2,374,000
1997 15 10 £2,880,000
1996 18 13 £2,589,790
1995 18 £2,300,060
1994 15 £1,852,550
1993 11 £1,435,336
1992 14 £1,663,716
1991 16 £1,605,875
1990 20 £1,900,325
1989 21 £1,600,000
1988 27 £1,565,622
1987 19 £930,000
1986 20 £750,000
1985 20 £580,000
1984 21 £347,470
1983 16 £170,050
1982 10 6 £121,450
1981 13 5 £125,830
1980 21 5 £110,494
1979 18 5 £80,000

Source:[10]

Order of Merit and seasonal award winners

The Order of Merit is awarded to the leading money winner on the tour, though for some years in the past a points system was used. The Player's Player of the Year award is voted by the members of the Tour for the member they believe has contributed the most to the season on the Tour. The Rookie of the Year (known as the Bill Johnson Trophy from 1999 to 2003 and now the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year) is awarded to the leading first-year player on the Order of Merit rankings.

Year Order of Merit Player of the Year Rookie of the Year Lowest stroke average Ref.
2023 Thailand Trichat Cheenglab 1966.52 pts Sweden Johanna Gustavsson Thailand Trichat Cheenglab France Céline Boutier 69.58
2022 Sweden Linn Grant 3624.91 pts Sweden Linn Grant Sweden Linn Grant Sweden Maja Stark 69.27
2021 Thailand Atthaya Thitikul 3591.96 pts Thailand Atthaya Thitikul Thailand Atthaya Thitikul Republic of Ireland Leona Maguire 69.50
2020 Denmark Emily Kristine Pedersen 1249.35 pts Denmark Emily Kristine Pedersen Australia Stephanie Kyriacou Denmark Emily Kristine Pedersen 70.40
2019 Germany Esther Henseleit 743.06 pts Norway Marianne Skarpnord Germany Esther Henseleit Spain Carlota Ciganda 69.08
2018 England Georgia Hall 667.73 pts England Georgia Hall Sweden Julia Engström Spain Carlota Ciganda 69.31
2017 England Georgia Hall €368,935 England Georgia Hall France Camille Chevalier Sweden Anna Nordqvist 68.18
2016 United States Beth Allen €313,079 United States Beth Allen India Aditi Ashok China Shanshan Feng 68.80
2015 China Shanshan Feng €399,213 Denmark Nicole Broch Larsen Denmark Emily Kristine Pedersen China Shanshan Feng 69.78
2014 England Charley Hull €263,097 England Charley Hull Wales Amy Boulden Norway Suzann Pettersen 70.25 [11][12]
2013 Norway Suzann Pettersen €518,448 South Africa Lee-Anne Pace England Charley Hull Norway Suzann Pettersen 68.20 [13]
2012 Spain Carlota Ciganda €251,290 Spain Carlota Ciganda[14] Spain Carlota Ciganda[14] China Shanshan Feng 69.00 [14][15]
2011 Japan Ai Miyazato €363,080 Sweden Caroline Hedwall Sweden Caroline Hedwall Norway Suzann Pettersen 69.36 [15]
2010 South Africa Lee-Anne Pace €339,518 South Africa Lee-Anne Pace South Korea I.K. Kim Norway Suzann Pettersen 69.75 [15]
2009 Sweden Sophie Gustafson €281,315 Scotland Catriona Matthew Sweden Anna Nordqvist Scotland Catriona Matthew 70.83 [15]
2008 France Gwladys Nocera €391,840 France Gwladys Nocera England Melissa Reid Norway Suzann Pettersen 68.60 [15]
2007 Sweden Sophie Gustafson €222,081 Germany Bettina Hauert Sweden Louise Stahle Sweden Sophie Gustafson 70.96 [15]
2006 England Laura Davies €471,727 France Gwladys Nocera Australia Nikki Garrett Sweden Annika Sörenstam 68.33 [15]
2005 Denmark Iben Tinning €204,672 Denmark Iben Tinning Spain Elisa Serramià England Laura Davies 70.35 [15][16]
2004 England Laura Davies 777.26 pts France Stéphanie Arricau Finland Minea Blomqvist England Laura Davies 70.31 [15]
2003 Sweden Sophie Gustafson 917.95 pts Sweden Sophie Gustafson Australia Rebecca Stevenson Sweden Sophie Gustafson 69.93 [15]
2002 Spain Paula Martí 6,589 pts Sweden Annika Sörenstam England Kirsty S. Taylor Sweden Sophie Gustafson 70.59 [15]
2001 Spain Raquel Carriedo 10,661 pts Spain Raquel Carriedo Norway Suzann Pettersen Scotland Catriona Matthew 70.08 [15]
2000 Sweden Sophie Gustafson 8,777 pts Sweden Sophie Gustafson Italy Giulia Sergas Sweden Sophie Gustafson 71.21 [15]
1999 England Laura Davies £204,522 England Laura Davies England Elaine Ratcliffe England Laura Davies 70.50 [15][17]
1998 Sweden Helen Alfredsson £125,975 Sweden Sophie Gustafson United States Laura Philo England Laura Davies 71.96 [15][18]
1997 England Alison Nicholas £94,590 England Alison Nicholas Sweden Anna Berg France Marie-Laure de Lorenzi 72.20 [19]
1996 England Laura Davies £110,880 England Laura Davies Australia Anne-Marie Knight France Marie-Laure de Lorenzi 71.39 [15][20]
1995 Sweden Annika Sörenstam £130,324 Sweden Annika Sörenstam Australia Karrie Webb Sweden Annika Sörenstam 69.75 [15][21]
1994 Sweden Liselotte Neumann £102,750 n/a United States Tracy Hanson Sweden Liselotte Neumann 69.56 [22]
1993 Australia Karen Lunn £81,266 n/a Sweden Annika Sörenstam England Laura Davies 71.63 [23]
1992 England Laura Davies £66,333 n/a France Sandrine Mendiburu England Laura Davies 70.35 [24]
1991 Australia Corinne Dibnah £89,058 n/a Wales Helen Wadsworth England Alison Nicholas 71.71 [25]
1990 England Trish Johnson £83,043 n/a United States Pearl Sinn England Trish Johnson 70.64 [26]
1989 France Marie-Laure de Lorenzi £77,534 n/a Sweden Helen Alfredsson France Marie-Laure de Lorenzi 70.84 [27]
1988 France Marie-Laure de Lorenzi £109,360 n/a South Africa Laurette Maritz France Marie-Laure de Lorenzi 72.30 [28]
1987 Scotland Dale Reid £53,815 n/a England Trish Johnson Scotland Dale Reid 72.70 [29]
1986 England Laura Davies £37,500 n/a Spain Patricia González England Laura Davies 72.09 [30]
1985 England Laura Davies £21,735 n/a England Laura Davies [31]
1984 Scotland Dale Reid £28,239 n/a England Kitrina Douglas Scotland Dale Reid 73.01 [15]
1983 Scotland Muriel Thomson £9,225 n/a n/a England Beverly Huke 74.98 [32]
1982 England Jenny Lee Smith £12,551 n/a n/a n/a [15]
1981 England Jenny Lee Smith £13,518 n/a n/a n/a [15]
1980 Scotland Muriel Thomson £8,008 n/a n/a n/a [15]
1979 Scotland Catherine Panton £4,965 n/a n/a n/a [15]

Notes

  1. ^ Individual events counting towards the Order of Merit only. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Guernsey counted separately.
  2. ^ Individual events counting towards the Order of Merit only. Excludes team events and qualifying school.

References

  1. ^ Ryde, Peter (18 May 1978). "Quality will decide if new WPGA acorn grows into mighty oak". The Times. p. 12. Retrieved 24 September 2020 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  2. ^ Mair, Lewine (31 October 1978). "Women's professional tour becomes a reality". The Times. p. 8. Retrieved 24 September 2020 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  3. ^ Plumridge, Christopher (9 December 1980). "Women's circuit is booming". The Guardian. London, England. p. 21. Retrieved 24 September 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Hennessy, John (17 March 1981). "Bleak prspect of drop in prize money for women". The Times. p. 11. Retrieved 24 September 2020 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  5. ^ "Sponsors sought for Balgownie". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 16 February 1982. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ Jacobs, Raymond. "Faldo well on the way towards a 'safe' figure". Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via Google News Archive.
  7. ^ Hennessy, John (17 August 1982). "A year when women have a slim chance of survival". The Times. p. 16. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  8. ^ "About the Ladies European Tour". Ladies European Tour. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  9. ^ "The 2014 Ladies European Tour Schedule Announced" (Press release). Ladies European Tour. 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  10. ^ LET Tour Guide 2013. Ladies European Tour. 2013. pp. 159–200. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Charley Hull wins Ladies European Tour's Order of Merit". Ladies European Tour. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Teenager Charley Hull wins Ladies European Tour Order of Merit". Press Association. The Guardian. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Pettersen wins ISPS HANDA Order of Merit". Ladies European Tour. 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  14. ^ a b c "Carlota Ciganda wins the LET's 2012 Rolex Rookie of the Year Award". Ladies European Tour. 20 December 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v LET Tour Guide 2013. Ladies European Tour. 2013. p. 201. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Tinning Named LET Players Player". Golf Channel Newsroom. 19 December 2005. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Amarican Express Tour, Penningligan (Slutställning)" [Amarican Express Tour, Money leaders (final standings)]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1999. p. 68. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Amarican Express Tour, Penningligan (Slutställning)" [Amarican Express Tour, Money leaders (final standings)]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1998. p. 87. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Fakta från Amex Tour (slutställning) Europatourens fem bästa" [Facts from Amex Tour (final standings) European Tour top five]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1997. p. 89. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Facit 1996, Fakta från AmEx Tour, Penningligan (Slutställning)" [Season 1996, Facts from AmEx Tour, Money leaders (final standings)]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1996. p. 89. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  21. ^ "Facit 1995, Fakta från American Express Tour (Slutställning)" [Season 1995, Facts from American Express Tour (final standings)]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1995. p. 73. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Facit 1994, Fakta från WPGET - slutställning" [Season 1994, Facts from WPGET - final standings]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 1. January 1995. p. 51. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Facit -93, Fakta från WPGET, Penningligan" [Season 1993, Facts from WPGET, Money leaders]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 1. January 1994. p. 47. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Facit -92, WPG European Tour, , Penningligan" [Season 1992, WPG European Tour, Money leaders]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 1. January 1993. p. 74. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Facit -92, Europa-touren, damer, Penningligan" [Season 1991, European Tour, Ladies, Money leaders]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 1. January 1992. p. 80. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Facit -90, Europa-touren, damer, Penningligan" [Season 1990, European Tour, Ladies, Money leaders]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1990. p. 91. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Facit -89, Europa-touren, damer, Penningligan" [Season 1989, European Tour, Ladies, Money leaders]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1989. p. 67. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Facit -88, Europa-touren, damer, WPG" [Season 1988, European Tour, Ladies, WPG]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1988. p. 67. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Facit -87, Europa-touren, damer, WPGA" [Season 1987, European Tour, Ladies, WPGA]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1987. p. 67. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  30. ^ "Facit -86, Europa-touren, damer, WPGA" [Season 1986, European Tour, Ladies, WPGA]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1986. p. 81. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Facit -85, WPGA-touren" [Season 1985, WPGA Tour]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 12. December 1985. p. 48. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Kärstin sjua" [Kärstin seventh]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 9. December 1983. p. 21. Retrieved 18 September 2023.

See also

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