Benedetta Moresco finished 29th with 215 (68 76 71, +2) strokes, while Angelica Moresco finished 64th with 221 (70 71 80, +8) at the IOA Golf Classic presented by LPT Realty, the second event of the Epson Tour season held at the Alaqua Country Club (par 71) in Longwood, Florida.
Ladies, results
Claiming her first title on the circuit was Taiwanese golfer Jessica Peng, a 30-year-old from Taoyuan and a professional since 2022, who concluded the tournament with a score of 202 (66 69 67, -11), edging out Lindsey McCurdy by one stroke. McCurdy finished second with 203 (-10) after leading the field following the first two rounds. In third place with 204 (-9) was Korean golfer Kum-Kang Park, followed by Dutch golfer Dewi Weber in fourth with 205 (-8), and Mariel Galdiano in fifth with 206 (-7).
The U.S.-based LPGA was established in 1950, marking the beginning of women’s professional golf on a global scale. However, the establishment of women’s professional golf in Europe faced delays. In 1978, the Women’s Professional Golfers’ Association (WPGA) was formed as part of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland. The following year saw the creation of a tour sponsored by Carlsberg, which supported 12 36-hole tournaments, including the Women’s British Open.
Initially, most tournaments were played over 36 holes, but by 1981, the format expanded to 54 holes. Prize money for the tour was expected to increase to £250,000 in 1981, up from £80,000 in the inaugural season. However, the tour encountered setbacks when sponsors withdrew their support, leading to the cancellation of several events.
After the 1981 season, Carlsberg withdrew its sponsorship, and the tour faced additional challenges in 1982, with more events canceled. With only ten tournaments remaining, it became difficult for players to sustain a living, casting doubt on the future of the WPGA.
In 1988, tour members established the Women Professional Golfers’ European Tour Limited as an independent entity, moving away from the PGA’s headquarters and establishing its own base in Cheshire. Over the years, the organization underwent name changes, eventually becoming the Ladies European Tour Limited in 2000. In 2010, the LET Access Series (LETAS) was introduced as the official development tour.
In January 2020, the Ladies European Tour entered a joint venture with the LPGA Tour, aiming to enhance playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. The newly formed Ladies European Golf Venture Limited, comprising representatives from the LPGA Tour, European Tour, and The R&A, took control of the tour. The 2020 season marked the inaugural Race to Costa Del Sol.
Overall, the journey of women’s professional golf in Europe has been marked by challenges but has evolved into a globally recognized tour with significant partnerships and opportunities for female golfers.
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