LPGA official apologizes for ‘confusing’ decision to shorten event: ‘I’m sorry’
The 2026 LPGA season got off to a strange start, and new commissioner Craig Kessler said he regrets how it turned out.
On Sunday, the LPGA shortened the season-opening tournament to 54 holes due to the cold in Orlando. The decision and subsequent communications drew criticism. The LPGA first delayed the start of the final round at Lake Nona, then sent celebrity competitors to the pro-am before eventually reducing the tournament to 54 holes. World No. 2 Nelly Korda won the tournament without scoring a goal on Sunday.
That decision left many fans and other players scratching their heads.
Memo from LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler
On Tuesday, Kessler sent a memo to the players apologizing for the way the decision was made and communicated in Lake Nona. That memo was obtained by GOLF and is below in its entirety.
LPGA Athletes,
When I joined the LPGA last July, I said trust would be a priority for all of us, our partners, fans, staff and media. This weekend at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, that trust was tested.
I made the decision to reduce the event to 54 holes, concerned that our athletes might be injured due to the record low overnight temperatures that made the course difficult. While the decision was difficult and contradicted the previous statements we shared, I made a judgment call. With the benefit of hindsight, it was clear that there were other ways we should have handled this situation.
I realize this decision, and others we made in real time, was confusing and disappointing for our fans. And our communication about the decision was not clear or timely enough. Your frustration is valid — I own that, and I’m sorry. We are already taking steps to improve:
- Establish clear rules for game decisions in challenging situations, including strengthening contingency planning on a weekly basis
- Faster, clearer communication, and better real-time information.
A big thank you to the staff at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club who did a great job of making sure the course was prepared and our partners at Hilton Grand Vacations who pulled out all the stops to celebrate great golf with their guests.
This is a special tour with an amazing future ahead. We won’t be perfect, but we will be accountable, learn quickly, and continue to earn your trust.
Sincerely,
Craig Kessler, LPGA Commissioner
Confusion and criticism
On Sunday, as the LPGA prepared to shorten its season opener, Annika Sorenstam was on the course playing like a celebrity.
Sorenstam, an LPGA legend, didn’t understand why the pros weren’t putting it together.
“I don’t know why they don’t play,” said Sorenstam GolfweekBeth Ann Nichols. “There are pitch marks. I mean, I hit a lot of shots today and the ball just broke. I’m surprised. It’s hard, it’s cold, but it’s good like everything else. I told JR we can continue.”
Lydia Ko, a resident of Lake Nona, was “angry” that the competition would not end.
The fact that the LPGA has deemed this course to be played by uneducated celebrities and not just professionals has only added to the confusion. The official told Nichols that the celebrities were playing “for show,” even though the pro-am had his bag.
An LPGA official said at the time that the decision was made due to the lack of a “proper competition venue”. When pressed by Golf Channel’s Amy Rogers, the official could not elaborate on how the cold was affecting the course. With the LPGA closed until February 19 in Thailand, Monday’s finish seemed like the perfect way to go with Korda, the tour’s biggest star, leading after a perfect 64 Saturday.
Korda’s win should have been a dream start to the LPGA season. But instead, a difficult decision and confusing communication turned into a nightmare. One Kessler knows the LPGA will have to rebuild.
