Cheyenne Woods to make LPGA rookie debut at season-opener in Florida

Cheyenne Woods will play her first tournament as a member of the LPGA later this month at the tour’s season-opening Coates Golf Championship in Ocala, Fla.

Woods, a rookie who earned her tour card (and kudos from uncle Tiger Woods) at qualifying school in December, turned professional in 2012 and will play the January 28-31 tournament as one of two sponsor’s exemptions.

Alexandria Jacobsen, a Symetra Tour veteran and the face of the ad campaign for Coates Golf, the tour’s new title sponsor, received the other exemption. In addition to competing in her first LPGA contest, Jacobsen will be the first golfer to play an official event with the company’s new golf clubs for women.

(video: h/t Randall Mell)

The equipment supplier announced its new product line on Tuesday. Company president Molly Coates and COO Randall Coates unveiled the sticks and Jacobsen’s endorsement during Wednesday’s media day at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, site of the first of 33 contests on the 2015 LPGA schedule

Jacobsen will also use the firm’s accessories and model its apparel during the 2015 season, according to the Ocala Star Banner.

LPGA stars Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome, on site for Wednesday’s tournament promotion, supported the need for golf clubs designed specifically for women.

“I grew up playing my grandfather’s cut-down clubs,” said Pressel, winner of the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship, according to the local publication. “They were steel shafts … that were far too stiff for me to play. I think we all did that.”

Lincicome backed the concept as well saying, “Women are playing with their husband’s clubs or just random clubs that aren’t even cut down for them properly so this is fantastic.”

Jacobsen has competed in 48 Symetra Tour tourneys. Woods, who played on the Symetra Tour last year, won the 2014 Australian Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour.