ANA INSPIRATION AMATEUR INVITATIONS ANNOUNCED
March 15, 2017
Tournament officials today announced that American Hannah O’Sullivan and Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela will headline the group of six amateur invitations to the 2017 ANA Inspiration.
The duo, who shared Low Amateur honors at last year’s tournament, will be joined by 2016 ANA Junior Inspiration winner Andrea Lee, 2016 U.S Amateur winner Eun-Jeong Seong, World No. 7 Katelyn Dambaugh and Thailand’s Paphangkorn Tavatanakit.
The 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion and former world No. 1, O’Sullivan, returns having recently starting a college career at Duke while world No. 3, Valenzuela, went on to represent Switzerland at the Olympics last Summer.
The winner of the ANA Junior Inspiration, which will be contested at Mission Hills Country Club, March 25-26, will also receive a spot in the ANA Inspiration field.
Commenting on the announcement, ANA Inspiration Tournament Director Gabe Codding, said, “We’re delighted to welcome some of the world’s best amateur golfers to Mission Hills Country Club for the LPGA’s first major of the year. As one of the biggest stages in women’s golf, this year’s amateur invitees have a chance to make history and follow in the footsteps of players like Lorena Ochoa, Yani Tseng and last year’s champion, Lydia Ko, in playing this event before starting their journey in the professional ranks. We wish them the best of luck.”
Mr. Hideki Kunugi, Senior Vice President of the Americas, ANA said: “The ANA Inspiration provides the perfect stage for the careers of these young athletes to take off by challenging themselves against the best professional players in the world at the most inspiring major of all. We’re excited to welcome such a diverse and gifted group from around the world to our tournament. As a company, we are committed to the future of women’s golf at all levels whether it’s by inviting the best amateur to compete or expanding the ANA Junior Inspiration across North America. Already we are looking forward to seeing these elite amateurs perform on the highest stage as they continue their inspired journey in golf with ANA.”