Morgan Pressel must feel like a million bucks.
Her ninth annual Morgan & Friends Fight Cancer Tournament raised a record $1 million this week for breast cancer research and care, shattering the previous record of $751,622 set at Pressel's event in 2014.
“It is surreal, honestly,” Pressel told LPGA.com. “I can’t put it in to words. The community of St. Andrews continues to blow me away every year, truly helping me make a difference. I couldn’t do it without their tremendous generosity and support.”
St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida again hosted this year’s event, raising money for the Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Sylvester Cancer Center at the University of Miami. Proceeds from the annual event helped to make the Kathryn Krickstein Pressel Mammovan a reality in 2010, a mobile named after Morgan’s mother, who died of breast cancer in her early 40’s. The van provides exams and care to residents throughout the Palm Beach area who would otherwise be unable to afford treatment.
This year’s fundraiser included a number of Pressel’s friends and fellow LPGA professionals including Paula Creamer, Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lincicome, Cristie Kerr, Sandra Gal, Natalie Gulbis and World No.1 Lydia Ko who turned out to lend support to the cause.
“They are the best!!” Pressel said via email. “Not only are they the best golfers in the world, but they are also the best people, and they go out of their way to make sure everyone has a great time. It means the world to me that they are willing to donate their time and energy and support us.”
With the help of the St. Andrews community, Pressel has raised more than $5 million through the Morgan Pressel Foundation to support the fight against breast cancer and her annual event will celebrate a milestone in 2017.
“I have no idea how to ever top this year! And next year will be our 10th anniversary, so hopefully we can come up with something big!” said Pressel. “For now trying to let it all soak in!”
Click here for photos and posts from the event.