The LPGA Tour agreed to a five-year deal that will make Epson America Inc. the sponsor of the LPGA qualifying tour.
The Epson Tour, previously known as the Symetra Tour, will begin its 42nd season March 4 with the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic at the Country Club of Winter Haven.
The sponsorship deal runs through 2026.
“We are delighted to welcome Epson to the LPGA Tour family. This ground-breaking partnership will provide expanded opportunities for the future stars of the game from around the globe to test their talent and take one step closer to realizing their dreams,” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a news release. “We are grateful that Epson shares our commitment to supporting young female athletes as they grow and develop and to playing an active role in the growth and equity in women’s sports. The ‘Road to the LPGA’ has never been better.”
Under the agreement, Epson is increasing the standard tournament purse size to a minimum of $200,000. The Epson Tour Ambassador Program will begin immediately and award $10,000 to 2021 tour graduates to help them kick off their careers.
The cost to enter tournaments also will drop by 10 percent, or $50, with a goal of working with other corporations to reduce the entry fee from $500 to $250.
The top 10 players on the Epson Tour money list at the end of each season will continue to earn LPGA Tour status for the following year.
Notable players who got their start on the developmental tour include world No. 1 Nelly Korda, Korean Inbee Park and Lorena Ochoa of Mexico.
–Field Level Media