With the Olympics set to dominate the calendar, 2016 will undoubtedly be one for the history books. Here we take a look at what's likely to be a year like no other for the women's game.
With the Olympics set to dominate the calendar, 2016 will undoubtedly be one for the history books. Here we take a look at what's likely to be a year like no other for the women's game.
February
World No 1 Lydia Ko will return to her native New Zealand to defend the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open Championship (12-14 Feb) at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch. Following a season in which Ko cemented herself as the best player in the world all eyes will be on the teenage sensation to see if she can carry that form into 2016.
March
This month looks set to be Holly Clyburn's first on the LPGA. Likely stops include Arizona for the JTCP Founders Cup and the Kia Classic in California. After an impressive stint on the Ladies European Tour it's time for the Englishwoman to see if she has what it takes on the biggest stage.
April
The 2016 British amateur season kicks off in earnest with the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open at Royal Troon (22-24 April). Names to look out for this year include current Helen Holm holder Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland), World No 4 Bronte Law (England) and 18-year old compatriot Alice Hewson (pictured below).
May
World No 1 amateur Leona Maguire will hope to add the NCAA Championship to her already extensive trophy cabinet from the 20-25 May. Other British players dreaming of US college glory will be England's Bronte Law (UCLA) and Meghan MacLaren (FIU) who will be hoping to end her college career on a high.
June
Great Britain and Ireland will be hoping to regain the trophy they won four years when the Curtis Cup returns this side of the Atlantic. The biennial match between Great Britain & Ireland and their USA counterparts will take place at Dun Laoghaire GC, near Dublin from 10-12 June. The Great Britain & Ireland team of eight will be announced on Thursday 28 April 2016.
Current World No 2 Inbee Park has the opportunity to make history in June at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. With a win, Park would become the first to capture the same major championship four consecutive years, breaking the record of three, which was set by Annika Sorenstam at KPMG between 2003 and 2005.
July
This year the Ricoh Women's British Open (28th-31st July) will return to Woburn Golf Club . All eyes will be on Englishwoman Charley Hull who will be hoping that home advantage will help her to secure her first major title.
August
The best golfers in the world will have their first chance to compete on the largest stage this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. Golf will make its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 and will have the opportunity to be showcased to its largest and most diverse audience. The ladies event is scheduled to follow the mens on 17th-21st August.
The 60-player field will be determined by the official world rankings. England's Charley Hull and Scot Catriona Matthew are currently expected to make up the British contingent. With a qualification system that only enables four players from the world's top 15 to qualify and two players there after per country, many of the world best players (particularly from Korea and the United States) will miss out on a shot at a gold medal. The consequence is that alongside the likes of Lydia Ko and Inbee Park there will be a plethora of less well known players also dreaming of Olympic glory.
September
This month Karrie Webb has an opportunity to accomplish what no one else has ever done: win a sixth different major championship. The Aussie is the only remaining active player to have a chance at accomplishing this feat. Webb has already captured the du Maurier Classic, ANA Inspiration, U.S. Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and RICOH Women’s British Open, leaving the Evian Championship (15-18 September) as the last remaining Major she has yet to win.
October
All eyes this month will undoubtedly be fixed on the men's game for the Ryder Cup (23rd-28th Sep), played at Hazeltine National Golf Course, Minnesota. Team Europe will be led by Darren Clarke and will be hoping to extend there three match winning streak. Let's hope it proves as dramatic as this last year's Solheim Cup.
