Four American stars are gearing up to play on home soil at this week’s Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Tampa.
Feather Sound Country Club is the host venue which will see two competitions happening side by side with the 54-hole Individual stroke play and the 36-hole Team event.
Lexi Thompson, who previously won the Individual event when it was in New York in 2022, lives in Florida and has played in the event many times before.
Being able to tee it up not too far from where she is based is always special and Thompson is looking forward to the team aspect.
“It’s different having a team format and an individual part as well,” said the Major champion. “Because at the same time, you want to be there rooting for your partners alongside you. And like Megan [Khang] said, if you hit a bad shot, we’re there for you.
“We’re still going to be there to support you. We want to see good golf shots. We want to see birdies out there. But there is an individual side. You have to focus on yourself as much as you can but it’s a fun tournament, it’s different and to have the amateur alongside us to get an inside look, just adds a little extra piece to it.”
Another player who lives even closer than Thompson is Brittany Lincicome, who grew up playing on this golf course.
With the venue being just 30 minutes from home, the two-time Major champion is hoping lots of friends and family come out to support her.
She said: “I’m super excited. You know, a few years ago, I felt like we had no events in Florida. Now we have quite a few, which is really cool to see. It just makes sense. Golf in Florida makes sense. Minus the rain part, knock on wood, but I think it’s going to be great.
“A lot of family and friends don’t get to see me play very often. So literally, it’s 30 minutes from my house, there’s no reason for them not to come out and support. It’s going to be just a fun week.
“Hopefully, it will make me calmer and more laidback and just kind of go out there and feel like I’m just playing with buddies at home. And hopefully, that’ll bring out the birdies. But it’s going to be very exciting.”
Megan Khang, who is number 13 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, is making her debut in the event.
As a captain, the Solheim Cup star is looking forward to being able to play with different professionals and was even offered help by three-time LET winner Bronte Law.
Khang explained: “This is obviously my first time being a team captain in an Aramco Team Series event. I’m fortunate enough that because I’ve made friends with those on co-sanctioned events with LET, and some girls who have played on LPGA Tour.
“I went out to dinner with Bronte Law last night, and I was kind of picking her brain how this whole system goes about. She was like, if you really want to, I’ll give you a list of names. I feel like, no matter who ends up being on my team, whether I happen to know them or not, it’s going to be a great time.
“I think we’re going to put the team aspect kind of first and in the back of our mind, obviously competing against each other as well. I’m very excited to meet all these new faces that I haven’t had the chance to meet before. I know that all these girls are going to be a great teammate.”
Similarly, it is also a debut in an Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF event for Marina Alex and she is also excited to play with the other professionals.
“The course is great,” said Alex. “I played a few holes with Megan [Khang] earlier and the greens are perfect. Fairways are in great shape. I think it’s going to set up to be a super weekend and we’ll see some really good scores out there.
“There is some amazing talent in the field. I’m just excited for the opportunity to like work with other pros. I know we are playing against each other, but it’ll be a lot of fun to kind of push each other and you know, at least be able to support one another for the first few days that we’re playing together.”
Follow all the action throughout the 2024 season on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #SEETheImpact.
