New Rolex Rankings World No. 1 Jin Young Ko Headlines Latest Commitments to the 2021 Pelican Women’s Championship

Seven of the Top-10 in the World Entered into the Championship, Including World No. 2, Olympic Gold Medalist and Bradenton’s Nelly Korda and 2020 Champion Sei Young Kim 

(BELLEAIR, Fla.) – New Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko, who captured her second straight LPGA victory last week at the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea, headlines the latest commitments into the 2021 Pelican Women’s Championship presented by Konica Minolta and Raymond James, taking place Nov. 8-14 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla.

Ko captured her fourth LPGA win during the 2021 season on Sunday in a playoff to move ahead of Bradenton’s Nelly Korda atop the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings this week. Ko previously was World No. 1 for 100 consecutive weeks until Korda overtook the No. 1 position in June of this year. Since winning the Volunteers of America Classic in July, Ko has recorded five top-six finishes – including three wins and a runner-up – in her last six events.

Additional new commitments include two-time Olympian Aditi Ashok, Tiffany Chan, Beatriz Recari, World No. 19 Lizette Salas, Jennifer Song and Mariajo Uribe.

Tournament officials also announced today the event’s first sponsor exemption for the Pelican Women’s Championship, Destiny Lawson, the reigning North Florida PGA Women’s Section Champion. The Ocala native and current assistant golf professional at Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club captured the North Florida PGA Women’s Section Championship in September with a 2-under par finish and a seven-stroke victory at Streamsong’s Blue Course. 

Lawson turned pro in April after a standout college career at Ferris State University, where she graduated in 2020. She made her LPGA debut in May at the Pure Silk Championship after advancing through the tournament’s Monday Qualifier. Lawson is an ambassador for Mackenzie’s Moment, a non-profit organization that offers hope and opportunity to women and children in need through health, education and welfare initiatives within the city of Ocala.

Joining them in the field for the Pelican Women’s Championship are previous commitments Nelly Korda (World No. 2), sister Jessica, 2020 champion Sei Young Kim, major champions Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson, and fan favorites/Tampa Bay area residents Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Altomare. Seven of the top-10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are entered into the Pelican Women’s Championship, the final full-field event of the 2021 LPGA Tour season. 

The 2021 Pelican Women’s Championship made its debut in 2020 without spectators and will welcome fans to Pelican Golf Club for the first time, featuring a field of 108 players competing over 72 holes for a share of the $1.75 million purse. Sei Young Kim captured the inaugural Pelican Women’s Championship in 2020 by three strokes at 14-under par, her 12th victory on the LPGA Tour.

Tickets are on sale for the 2021 Pelican Women’s Championship exclusively online at www.PelicanLPGA.com. A variety of ticket packages are available, including exclusive hospitality and general admissions tickets offering a wide degree of entertainment and access. In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, military members (active, reserve, retired and veterans) will gain free access to the tournament grounds all week. Children under the age of 18 gain free admittance with a paid adult.