Yana Wilson (Defending Champion) and New Jersey-Based Junior Golfers Megan Meng (Pennington) and Aphrodite Deng (Short Hills) Headline AJGA Invitational Field to Compete Alongside LPGA Tour Players
National and Local Corporate Sponsors Join Together to Support the LPGA in New Jersey
Photo (L to R): Cheryl Gilberg, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer, Mizuho Americas;
Caila Roberts, Tournament Director – Mizuho Americas Open, Excel Sports Management;
Yana Wilson, Inaugural AJGA Invitational Champion & #1 Ranked Player on AJGA Tour;
Michelle Wie West, LPGA Tour Icon and Tournament Host; Rose Zhang, Inaugural Mizuho Americas Open Champion, 2023; Stephanie Hull , President and CEO, Girls Inc.
Jersey City, NJ – The Mizuho Americas Open, title sponsored by the US regional arm of Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE: MFG), today announced, World #1 Nelly Korda, defending Champion Rose Zhang, and all top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings will headline the elite field at the Mizuho Americas Open, taking place May 13th – May 19th at the iconic Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, NJ. Korda has captured an unprecedented five consecutive LPGA victories and Zhang looks to defend the inaugural title, where she was the first player to win her LPGA debut since Beverly Hanson in 1951.
In addition to one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour, 24 of the top 26 juniors in the Rolex AJGA Girls Rankings, including defending champion Yana Wilson, and local junior golfers Megan Meng (Pennington, NJ) and Aphrodite Deng (Short Hills, NJ) will also be competing at Liberty National, as the Mizuho Americas Open will concurrently host the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) Invitational. This groundbreaking format creates an unprecedented week of education, mentorship and access to inspire the next generation of LPGA Tour players.
LPGA Tour icon and Mizuho Americas Brand Ambassador Michelle Wie West will serve as Tournament Host, while participating in a full line-up of activities during tournament week. The 2024 tournament purse was increased to $3 million, making it one of the largest non-Major Championship purses on the LPGA Tour schedule. This increase bolsters the total LPGA purse for the 2024 season to a record of more than $120 million.
Additionally, each participating LPGA Tour player will once again be provided complimentary first-class lodging just across the river in NYC during tournament week, along with the convenience of daily ferry service that will shuttle players directly to the clubhouse steps at Liberty National.
“As soon as the Mizuho Americas Open trophy was handed out last year, we started considering ways we could elevate the event in the future,” said Cheryl Gilberg, Chief Marketing Officer, Mizuho Americas. “In addition to an increased purse, we’re expanding the relationship with our charitable partner, Girls Inc., by hosting a leadership conference, called the Mizuho DrivHer Summit. We’re looking forward to a full day of interactive sessions and hope it will be a transformative experience for the young women.”
The Mizuho DrivHER Summit will be Wednesday, May 15th at Liberty National Golf Club. The leadership Summit reflects both organizations’ shared values of advancing equity and opportunity for women and girls. Featured speakers will include Michelle Wie West, LPGA icon and Tournament Host; Mollie Marcoux, Commissioner of the LPGA, Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D., President & CEO, Girls Inc.; LPGA and AJGA players, as well as several Mizuho representatives from across the organization.
Last year, Girls Inc. Mizuho awarded a three-year, $500,000 grant to support its mission of providing girls and young women, particularly those from low-income communities and of color, with the resources and leadership skills needed to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. This year, it will award three, $5,000 college scholarships to Girls Inc. members.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the best female golfers in the world to Liberty National” said Dan Fireman, Executive Chairman of Liberty National Golf Club. “Hosting such a special event at our club fits perfectly within our broader mission to embrace and grow the game of golf that we all love. As longtime supporters of the AJGA and junior golf more broadly, we take tremendous pride in watching future stars shine brightly alongside today’s top players.”
A strong list of national and local corporate partners has joined Mizuho in celebrating the best female golfers in the world during the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open, including Hackensack Meridian Health, Delta Air Lines, Workday, Acer, Sands New York, Tumi, Cisco, Dunning, Bloomberg, Datasite, NJ Lottery, and iovera.
“The inaugural Mizuho Americas Open was a storybook event with Rose Zhang winning in her professional debut on the LPGA Tour” said Caila Roberts, Tournament Director at Excel Sports Management. “As the popularity of women’s professional sports continues to ascend, our partnership with Mizuho, Liberty National and the LPGA and AJGA continues to raise the bar for women’s golf. With Mizuho leading the charge along with a strong lineup of corporate partners, a passionate golf fan base, and an elite field led by Nelly Korda and the top 10 players in the world, it is set-up to be another memorable week at Liberty National Golf Club.”
Several individual and week-long ticket packages are available for the 2024 event, including general admission for $35 that provides access to the tournament grounds any day Wednesday through Sunday, and $130 to the Garden State Terrace, a viewing platform overlooking 17 green and 18 tee inclusive of beer, wine, hard seltzer, and snacks. All juniors 17 and under receive FREE general admission with a ticketed adult and Veterans, first responders and active military also receive FREE general admission with a military ID or service verification.
Corporate Hospitality packages include a selection of premium food and beverage options, along with preferred parking. Hospitality packages are available for both individuals and corporations seeking the ultimate entertainment experience.
For information on ticket sales and corporate hospitality please visit www.mizuhoamericasopen.com. Follow @MizuhoLPGA on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news on the event.
About the Mizuho Americas Open
The Mizuho Americas Open is a purpose-driven tournament on the LPGA Tour. As title sponsor, Mizuho Americas created and drove the vision for a distinctive and premium event that celebrates women and advances the next generation, with a charitable focus on providing leadership and life skills to young girls from low-income communities. Played at the prestigious Liberty National Golf Club, with LPGA icon Michelle Wie West as celebrity host, the tournament features an elevated purse and a unique junior component where the AJGA’s stars of tomorrow compete alongside the best women golfers in the world.
About Mizuho Americas
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. is the 15th largest bank in the world as measured by total assets of ~$2 trillion. Mizuho’s 60,000 employees worldwide offer comprehensive financial services to clients in 35 countries and 800 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia.
Mizuho Americas is a leading provider of corporate and investment banking services to clients in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Through its acquisition of Greenhill, Mizuho provides M&A, restructuring and private capital advisory capabilities across Americas, Europe and Asia. Mizuho Americas employs approximately 3,500 professionals, and its capabilities span corporate and investment banking, capital markets, equity and fixed income sales & trading, derivatives, FX, custody, and research. Visit www.mizuhoamericas.com.
About the LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women, with a goal to change the face of golf by making the sport more accessible and inclusive. Created in 1950 by 13 Founders, the Association celebrates a diverse and storied history. The LPGA Tour competes across the globe, reaching television audiences in more than 220 countries. The Epson Tour, the LPGA’s official qualifying tour, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA also holds a joint-venture collaboration with the Ladies European Tour (LET), increasing playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. Across the Tours, the LPGA represents players in more than 60 countries. Additionally, the LPGA Foundation has empowered and supported girls and women since 1991, most notably through LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the only national program of its kind, which annually engages with nearly 100,000 girls. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association and LPGA Women’s Network provide virtual and in-person connections to female golfers around the world, while LPGA Professionals are educators, business leaders and game changers dedicated to growing the game of golf for everyone.
Follow the LPGA on its U.S. television home, Golf Channel, online at www.LPGA.com and on its mobile apps. Join the social conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Liberty National Golf Club
One of the world’s most iconic golf locales, Liberty National Golf Club is located along the Hudson River in Jersey City, NJ, with striking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan skyline. Liberty National fittingly opened on July 4, 2006, and is guided by the vision and leadership of former Reebok Founder, Chairman & CEO Paul Fireman and his son Dan Fireman, managing partner of Fireman Capital Partners. Designed by US Open Champion Tom Kite and esteemed golf course mastermind Bob Cupp, Liberty National is kept in tournament ready playing condition. Liberty National hosted The Presidents Cup in 2017 as well as multiple PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoff events. For more information about Liberty National Golf Club, visit www.libertynationalgc.com.
Media Contact
Jared Minski
Mastro Communications, Inc.
jared@mastrocomm.com or 732-546-4325
