Dame Laura Davies, a four-time major champion, is set to become the first woman in history to participate in an event on the Staysure Tour, formerly known as the European Senior Tour. Next week, Davies will be teeing up alongside her male counterparts in the Shipco Masters promoted by Simon’s Golf Club in Denmark, an official event on the Staysure Tour schedule.
Davies shared with LPGA.com that she has felt for some time that mixed golf can only be good for the game and she hopes to see more mixed events moving forward.
"I am excited at the prospect of competing with the senior men in Denmark at the Shipco Masters at Simon's Golf Club and I feel it will be fun,” said Davies. “My career has run in parallel with many of the players who will be there, such as Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam, Jose Maria Olazabal and many more. So, when this opportunity came about I was delighted to accept.”
Davies is no stranger when it comes to competing against the men, having played with Arnold Palmer in an event hosted by Fred Couples.
Davies admitted that playing with Palmer was the scariest experience of her life.
“Well it’s playing with Arnold Palmer and you have to shoot a number, it was a 36-hole stroke play event,” said Davies. “I didn’t do particularly well but Arnold was extremely nice to me. It’s very nerve-racking to me and that’s why I admire Annika so much and the way she handled herself in the Colonial because you’re out there really to be shot down and make bit of a fool of yourself and she handled the pressure a lot better than I did.”
While this will not be her first time teeing it up against the men, this will be her first event competing on the Staysure Tour. The former Rolex Rankings world No. 1 said she’s not expecting too much, but that she’s looking forward to the experience.
“You only get one chance to become the first,” said Davies. “I would like to thank everyone involved with the Shipco Masters, including the Staysure Tour itself, of course, for extending this invitation to me.”
“Dame Laura’s participation in this event is an honor for the Staysure Tour,” said David MacLaren, head of Staysure Tour. “She has been one of my golfing heroes since 1996 and this is another example of the European Tour and Staysure Tour being prepared to innovate and look to attract a wider audience to the game of golf.”
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