World number one Lydia Ko confirmed for Aramco Team Series opener in Singapore

* Aramco Team Series will return in 2023 with five events in five different countries

* Will head to Singapore for opening event of the year

* Tournament will take place at Laguna National Golf Resort Club from 16-18 March

* World number one Lydia Ko is first big-name player confirmed to appear in Singapore

* Events will once again have US$1 million prize funds, split equally between the individual winner and team winners.

The Aramco Team Series will return in 2023 on the Ladies European Tour with Singapore its first stop, as an array of the world’s best players are set the feature once again.

2022 saw the Aramco Team Series go to new heights and this year’s edition will begin in a similar fashion as world number one Lydia Ko has confirmed her attendance at Laguna National Golf Resort Club.

The New Zealander was the youngest player to be ranked number one in golf when she reached the top of golf’s standings in 2017 – at just 17-years-old. She returned to the top of the pile in De- cember eclipsing Nelly Korda as the No 1 player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. This is the third time Ko, who notched three

LPGA Tour victories and nine other topfive finishes in 2022, has been the best player on the planet.

Ko will appear in her first ever Aramco Team Series event at Laguna National Golf Resort Club and is excited to tee it up in such a unique and innovative format. The 25-year-old commented: “I am really looking forward to playing my first Aramco Team Series event in Singapore after hearing such good things from players on both the LPGA and LET.

“From the outside it seems like a really fun week to be a part of with both the team and individual elements to play for and the set up both on and off the golf course being outstanding.

“I am looking forward to teeing it up at Laguna National in March and being a part of a golf tournament that offers something completely different to the norm.”

Noah Ali Reza, newly appointed CEO of Golf Saudi is thrilled by the return of the Aramco Team Series and excited to be taking the tournament to a completely new venue.

He added: “The Aramco Team Series events have gone from strength to strength since their inception and provide an exceptional experience both on and off the golf course for the best fe- male golfers in the world.

“It is exciting to be heading to a new venue in Laguna National Golf Resort Club, it looks an incredible venue, definitely befitting of an Aramco Team Series event and I hope that players and supporters alike have a great week.”

Kevin Kwee, Executive Director of Laguna National Golf Resort Club concluded: “We are absolutely delighted to be holding such a prestigious tournament at our fabulous golf course.

“To have a player of Lydia Ko’s calibre confirmed as the first player that will be appearing shows how strong an event it is going to be and excites everyone here at the golf course, and beyond. The talent arriving for this event will be sure to inspire our future local and regional champions.

“As the host venue, we will ensure we provide all players, caddies, sponsors and fans with an unforgettable experience so they leave Laguna National Golf Resort Club with only incredible memories from the week.” the win against the Aussie Long Ballers for the 3rd consecutive time. The famous Darren Wise -Stringray remaining on home turf for another year. Highlighting the winners from the 2022 championship at Hawera Golf Club: our club events and there’s great motivation to organise special events for our future generation of New Zealand Long Blacks.

The over 50 division is set to grow this year with the Masters Division is set at 45 +.

Youngest member K Chand taking the win last year and certainly a natural talent.

It’s that time again, the locals of South Taranaki are about to show us how to make some noise as they gear up to bring the heat with our first XDL qualifier in the North Island. The fabulous Hawera Golf Club is host to this regional event and is appointed to grow the game of big hitters with New Zealand Long Drive and XDL as their raw passion for the sport is obvious. Hawera Golf Club had a star sudded line up with two New Zealand Long Blacks George Wardell and Sam Jones who are both National Champions. George Wardell took the win and set the bench mark for this year and certainly left 2022 with national pride elected as Captain of the New Zealand Long Blacks (Trans Tasman Clash - Travelling team) taking

The wait is over! XDL software is officially ready to drive the sport of Longest and Fastest hitters to a Golf Ball (but this ain’t Golf). The motivation to grow the game has been a tough one for Olna Ford who set out in 2016 to grow the sport and opportunities for the players. Olna is the designer of the XDL Grid and the idea to have a virtual platform seemed more obvious during the global pandemic which is when Olna decided to partner with OPTISHOT. XDL Software

Theres a push Women to compete this year with Ladies Champion Eshter White eager to retain her title. The XDL crew are preparing to develop a Ladies on the Tee Series of events around NZ from July 2023.

Our Youth are really delivering at

2023 expects to draw a big crowd with some New Zealand Long Blacks taking to the tee including defending champion George Wardell and Sam Jones - 1st NZ Long Drive Champ and 1st New Zealand Long Black named. It will be a day to remember so get practicing for the 1st club qualifier in the North and contact Chad at Hawera Golf Club to register.