Caddies can ride out heat at upcoming LPGA major

[September 04, 2020]    With temperatures expected to soar as high as 115 degrees in the California desert next week, the LPGA already has announced that caddies will be permitted to ride in carts for the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage.

And while that is good news for those carrying the clubs, it will not apply to the players, who still will be required to walk the tree-lined Mission Hills Country Club course, although approximately 100 trees were removed in advance of this year's tournament.

The major tournament typically is the first one of the LPGA season in late March or early April, but it was moved to the second week of September because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have consulted with our medical team and feel this is the best decision to keep our caddies safe and healthy during this extreme heat," LPGA chief tour operations officer Heather Daly-Donofrio wrote in a memo.

Caddies will also wear bibs for the tournament instead of jumpsuits that are the tradition of the ANA Inspiration. The LPGA has also purchased 1,500 cooling towels for players, caddies, staff and volunteers.

Daly-Donofrio said the desert heat does not come as surprise this time of the year, but the major tournament needed to be played in the Sept. 10-13 window.

"Will it look odd? Yes, especially for a major championship," Daly-Donofrio said. "But we're not going to sacrifice the health of our athletes or caddies for optics."

The tradition of the tournament is for the winner to jump into the lake alongside the green at the 18th hole with her caddie. It will provide an even bigger incentive to win with the expected heat.

--Field Level Media

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