World’s Top-Five and Eight of the World’s Top-10 Players Scheduled to Compete
All Military and First Responders to Receive Complimentary Admission and Access to Special, Exclusive Hospitality Venues
Tickets on Sale at www.TheAnnika.com
BELLEAIR, Fla. – The top five players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings – World No. 1 and two-time champion Nelly Korda, defending champion and World No. 2 Lilia Vu, former World No. 1’s Lydia Ko and Ruoning Yin and three-time winner in 2024 Hannah Green headline a stacked field of early commitments for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. The penultimate event of the 2024 LPGA Tour season, The ANNIKA will take place Nov. 11-17 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., where the world’s top female professional golfers will compete for a share of the $3.25 million purse, one of the largest purses on the LPGA Tour.
Tournament officials announced today that all military personnel (active, reserve, retired and veterans) and a plus one will receive complimentary access to the championship, including access to a special exclusive hospitality venue – the Hero Outpost presented by FedData – overlooking the tournament’s signature par-3 12th green.
In addition, tournament officials announced today that all first responders (fire, police and emergency medical service personnel) and one guest will be granted complimentary admission to the 2024 edition of the championship. Once inside the championship, First Responders will have access to an exclusive hospitality venue, the First Responders Outpost presented by SERVPRO, located on the par-4 16th green.
All military and first responders will receive complimentary admission to the championship and the Outposts by showing proper identification. Children 17 and under also will be admitted free with a paid adult.
“We are excited to welcome back the greatest professional golfers in the world to Pelican Golf Club and providing a memorable experience for not only the players, but also for our loyal spectators,” said Justin Sheehan, Director of Golf and COO, Pelican Golf Club. “We also look forward to celebrating our heroes who have worked tirelessly in recent weeks in keeping our families safe and supporting Hurricane recovery.”
Eight of the top-10 players in the World are early entries into The ANNIKA, including Nelly Korda (1), Lilia Vu (2), Lydia Ko (3), Ruoning Yin (4), Hannah Green (5), Celine Boutier (7), Haeran Ryu (9) and Amy Yang (10).
As previously announced, University of South Carolina Senior All-American Louise Rydqvist will join the field for a second consecutive year as a sponsor exemption, as a result of South Carolina capturing the 2024 ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M in September. South Carolina women’s golf coach Kalen Anderson selected Rydqvist as the recipient of the exemption for a second consecutive year. Rydqvist finished as the individual runner-up at 13-under par.
Ticket packages for The ANNIKA include exclusive hospitality and general admissions tickets offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. Tickets are available for purchase exclusively at www.TheAnnika.com. All 2024 tickets will be digital and will be emailed after purchase. Tickets can be viewed on either a mobile device or printed out where they will be scanned at the main gate.
2024 The ANNIKA Ticket Options: There are three ticket options for fans interested in attending:
- Daily Grounds
- Wednesday, Nov. 13 (Pro-Am): $25.
- Thursday, Nov. 14: $40.
- Friday-Saturday, Nov. 15-16: $45 per day.
- Sunday, Nov. 17: $50.
- Weekly Grounds:
- Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 13-17: $140.
- Lightning Lounge:
- Offered in partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Lightning Lounge provides a shared hospitality experience at the tournament’s signature par-3 12th hole. The Lightning Lounge includes complimentary food and beverages, TVs, private bathrooms, and parking.
- Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 14-17: $225 per day.
- Weekly (Thursday-Sunday): $800.
Lilia Vu captured her fourth LPGA Tour win at The ANNIKA in 2023, elevating her to World No. 1 at the time. Nelly Korda is a two-time champion at The ANNIKA (2021 and 2022), with Sei Young Kim winning the inaugural event in 2020.
For more information on The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, visit www.TheAnnika.com and on social media: @TheAnnikaLPGA on X, @TheAnnikaLPGA on Instagram, and The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on Facebook.
About The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican
The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican is the LPGA’s annual tournament in the Tampa Bay region and features the world’s best female golfers competing over four rounds for a share of the $3.25 million purse, one of the largest purses on the LPGA Tour. The tournament is contested at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., a Donald Ross design that offers world-class amenities and an unmatched golf experience. The sole namesake event on the LPGA Tour, Annika Sorenstam serves as tournament host with proceeds benefiting the ANNIKA Foundation. The championship is operated by Outlyr, a global sports, event management and lifestyle marketing agency. For more information on The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, visit www.TheAnnika.com.
About ANNIKA
In 2008, Annika stepped away from professional golf and created the ANNIKA Foundation, which currently hosts six global tournaments for junior girls with over 600 girls from 60 different countries competing annually. The Foundation also hosts the ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M, a premiere event on the NCAA Division I women’s golf fall schedule featuring 12 of the top DI schools in the country. New this year, a member of the winning team will earn an exemption to compete in The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.
Annika, the ANNIKA Foundation and the Haskins Foundation annually recognize the NCAA Division I women’s golf player of the year via the ANNIKA Award. LSU’s Ingrid Lindblad was named the Annika Award winner for 2024.
In 2014 the LPGA, in partnership with Rolex, the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award was established to recognize the player who, during a current LPGA Tour season, has the most outstanding record in all five major championships. In 2020, Annika was elected the President of the International Golf Federation which oversees golf in the Olympic Games. In 2021, Annika became the first female golfer to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
About Gainbridge®
Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.io or follow and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.
About Group 1001
Group 1001 is a collective that empowers companies to create positive growth. Our insurance and annuities are easy to understand and accessible to all. Our online investing platform gives individuals control over their savings. Our technology and innovation help companies succeed. And our strategic partnerships bring people together through education and sports.
As of June 30, 2024, Group 1001 had more than 1,400 employees and combined assets under management of $65.2 billion, serving more than 950,000 customers. It comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge®, Clear Spring Health, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, and RVI Group, among others.
About the LPGA
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is the world’s premier women’s professional golf organization. Created in 1950 by 13 pioneering female Founders, the LPGA, whose members now represent more than 60 countries, is the longest-standing professional women’s sports organization. Through the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour, the LPGA Professionals, and a joint venture with the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA provides female professionals the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the game of golf at the highest level. In addition to its professional tours and teaching accreditation programs, the LPGA features a fully integrated Foundation, which provides best-in-class programming for female golfers through its junior golf programming, and its LPGA Amateurs division, which offers its members playing and learning opportunities around the world. LPGA aims to use its unique platform to inspire, transform and advance opportunities for girls and women, on and off the golf course. Follow the LPGA online at www.LPGA.com and on its mobile apps. Join the social conversation on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.
About the LPGA Tour
The LPGA Tour is the world’s leading competitive destination for the best female professional golfers in the world. The Tour hosts more than 30 annual events across 10 countries for over 200 Active Players, awarding total prize funds exceeding $125 million and reaching television audiences in more than 220 countries. Follow the LPGA Tour on its U.S. television home, Golf Channel.
Media Contact:
Jeremy Friedman
The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican
Outlyr
407-721-9752
jfriedman@outlyr.com
