LPGA Confirm ANA as New Title Sponsor of Major

The LPGA and IMG has jointly announced that Japanese airline company All Nippon Airways (ANA), will serve as title sponsor of the first major of the LPGA season.

The newly-named ‘ANA INSPIRATION’ will be held betweem March 30^{th –} April 5^th, 2015, and will continue to be played at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, which has staged the event since 1972.

The long-term agreement between the LPGA, IMG and ANA begins in 2015 with an increase in the tournament prize money to $2.5 million.

Additional increases are scheduled over the first four years enabling the total prize money to reach $3 million.

“This is a landmark occasion for All Nippon Airways and demonstrates our commitment to explore new horizons and strengthen our longstanding connection between key markets of Japan and North America, said Yuji Hirako, Senior Vice President of the Americas, ANA.

“In partnering with the LPGA and one of the most important major championships in all of golf we are embarking on a new journey that has the potential to inspire golfers worldwide.

“Together ANA and the LPGA can see that leaderboards are becoming truly global which creates exciting new opportunities that both organizations are ready to seize.”

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan said: “This partnership not only elevates one of the game’s greatest championships but also ensures that a major LPGA tradition will continue to grow and reach new heights.

“We are excited to welcome ANA to the LPGA family and grateful for their vision. Because of ANA, future generations of golfers all over the world can dream of competing at this spectacular venue with hopes of a leap into the same pond that has welcomed some of the greatest players in history.” 

In July, the LPGA and IMG entered into a joint venture to seek sponsorship for the tournament.

Kevin Hopkins, IMG’s Executive Director of the ANA INSPIRATION said: “Today’s announcement signals a new era for one of the LPGA’s most iconic tournaments.

 “At IMG, we are proud to support the LPGA in Asia, Europe and the U.S. and we look forward to delivering golf’s first major with our partner, ANA.”