Linn Grant won't play in CME Group Tour Championship for a simple reason...

Linn Grant finished in the top 60 of the Race to the CME Globe Rankings after the Pelican Women's Championship, which made her eligible for the CME Group Tour Championship.

Matt Chivers's picture
Mon, 14 Nov 2022
Linn Grant won't play in CME Group Tour Championship for a simple reason...

Linn Grant has qualified for the CME Group Tour Championship, the $7 million finale to the 2022 LPGA Tour season. But Grant won't be playing and this is because she isn't vaccinated for COVID-19. 

In a statement released through her agent, Grant said that unless America ease travel restrictions or there is a "positive outcome" in a medical relief process, she won't be competing in Florida this week.

The super Swede has played in six LPGA Tour events this year, but only in events held in France, Scotland, Ireland, South Korea and Japan. She finished 52nd in the Race to the CME Globe which was good enough to see her into this week's field.

She said: 

"Under normal circumstances, I would naturally love to partake in the CME. Like everybody else out there it is a clear goal to play the season-ending event, especially this year when CME is putting out the biggest check in women’s golf history.
"In isolation, it is, of course, fantastic for us players, but more importantly it is a clear statement that shows the direction of the true worth of women’s golf.

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Related: How Linn Grant became first woman to win on DP World Tour 

"Nevertheless, with travel restrictions to enter the US for unvaccinated still remaining, it is still not an option for me to play LPGA events in the US. This is the sole reason I am not playing the CME.
"I understand some people want to know why I am not playing in the US. I respect that. The simple reason is that I am not vaccinated. Regarding why, I ask for the same respect back. It is something I want to keep internally with my family and team.
"What I can say is that currently there are only two scenarios making it possible for me to play events in the US  - either through a positive outcome on a medical relief process or by the US easing up on the travel restrictions."

Grant has been the standout player in the Ladies European Tour season in 2022. She is top of the Race to the Costa Del Sol rankings heading into the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana in two weeks.

The 23-year-old has won four times in 2022, most recently at the Skafto Open in August. Her first win came in March at the Joburg Ladies Open.

Grant also made history in June by winning the Scandinavian Mixed.

Her nine-shot victory meant she became the first female winner on the DP World Tour