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Golf Links: Sunday, July 9 news and notes

By Elizabeth Bethel

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV - JULY 08: Robert Streb and his caddie stand on the 16th hole during round three of The Greenbrier Classic held at the Old White TPC on July 8, 2017 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV - JULY 08: Robert Streb and his caddie stand on the 16th hole during round three of The Greenbrier Classic held at the Old White TPC on July 8, 2017 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Golf Links
Suzy Whaley. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

Suzy Whaley tees it up at French Lick

Suzy Whaley, the first woman to be elected an officer of the PGA of America, has received a sponsor invite to join the Senior LPGA Championship field.

Whaley accepted the challenge with delight:

"It is an honor and privilege to receive an exemption into the inaugural Senior LPGA Championship. This Championship celebrates many legends of the game and the contributions that they have made to the future of women’s golf worldwide. It is with great pride that I represent PGA Members in what is anticipated to be a Championship that will build in the coming years."

The field of 81 players field includes five World Golf Hall of Fame members – Laura Davies, Patty Sheehan, Hollis Stacy, Betsy King and Pat Bradley – and promises some splendid golf. Golf Channel will provide full coverage of the 54-hole event, beginning Monday, July 10 at 4pm ET.

The Open Championship purse

While fans are speculating on the strength of the field and power rankings and sleepers, the golfers who are heading for The Open are thinking about money, and for good reason. For the first time in The Open’s history the R&A will award the prize money in U.S. dollars rather than British pounds.

Why?

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Here’s how R&A CEO Martin Slumbers explained the change:

"We are operating in an increasingly global marketplace and have made the decision to award the prize fund in U.S. dollars in recognition of the fact that it is the most widely adopted currency for prize money in golf."

Well, that’s something for us to all contemplate.

With a $10,250,000 purse – The Open champion will take home $1,845,000 and the runner-up $1,067,000 – The Open has pulled in line with purses at The Masters and the PGA Championship. With a $12 million purse, the U.S. Open remains the richest of the four major championships in men’s golf.

Louise Solheim – the passing of a golf legend

The Solheim family announced the passing of its matriarch, Louise Solheim, Saturday afternoon, at the age of 99, following her birthday celebration.

If you carry any Ping clubs in your bag, thank Louise Solheim. If you enjoy and cherish the Solheim Cup, thank Louise Solheim.

The golf world has recognized her in many ways, including:

"an honorary doctorate degree from Arizona State (1992), the LPGA’s Commissioner’s Award (1994), Swedish Golf Federation Distinguished Service Award (2003), Arizona Golf Hall of Fame (2004), Arizona State University Regents Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education (2004), honorary LPGA member (2005) and honorary Ladies European Tour member (2011)"

ProGolfNow joins in a salute to this woman who has done so much to advance the game. She will be missed and well-remembered.

Next: Five top PGA TOUR golf courses

Golf Links will return Friday morning, but ProGolfNow will keep you up-to-date on the golf world’s news and events this week: the U.S. Women’s Open, the Senior LPGA Championship, the John Deere Classic, and the Scottish Open.

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