The LPGA’s 2024 schedule just got a bit shorter. The Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, set for March 20-23 at Palos Verdes Golf Club, won’t happen as planned after the event’s underwriter failed to meet its financial commitments.
It’s a significant loss for the tour, especially coming right before the season opener. The tournament, which Nelly Korda won last year, has been a fixture on the schedule since 2018, when it debuted as the Hugel-JTBC LA Open. Fir Hills, a Silicon Valley investment firm, took over title sponsorship last year, with Hall of Famer Seri Pak serving as host.
“We are deeply disappointed to announce this year’s Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship will not go forward in March,” said Liz Moore, the LPGA’s interim commissioner. “We apologize for the impact this has on our players, as well as on our fans, partners and volunteers.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for many LPGA pros. Players who aren’t qualified for next week’s winners-only Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions or the three limited-field Asian events in late February now face a thinner early-season schedule. They’re left with just three full-field events before the year’s first major, the Chevron Championship in late April.
There’s still hope for the tournament’s return. Moore expressed the LPGA’s intention to bring the event back to Palos Verdes, praising the club’s partnership and noting their desire to continue honoring Pak’s legacy. The tour hasn’t ruled out adding it back to the schedule if new financial backing emerges.
The situation highlights the ongoing challanges of securing and maintaining tournament sponsorships in women’s professional golf, even as the sport continues to grow in popularity and visibility.
