AUGUSTA, GA. – The United States Golf Association (USGA), Masters Tournament and the PGA of America today announced that Jordan Spieth, reigning Masters and U.S. Open Champion, and Lexi Thompson, the top-ranked American on the LPGA Tour, will be in New York City together Monday, March 14, to promote the upcoming Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals and registration for this summer’s local qualifying.
This fun, free and nationwide youth golf development initiative invites boys and girls, ages 7-15, to participate in local qualifying opportunities set in all 50 states throughout the months of May, June, July and August. Boys and girls will enter to play across separate divisions in four age categories, with scoring centered around golf’s three fundamental skills (Drive, Chip and Putt). Top performers at the local level will advance through subregional and regional qualifiers in July/August and September, respectively. From these qualifiers, 80 finalists – 40 boys and 40 girls – will earn an invitation to the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 2, the eve of the 2017 Masters Tournament.
Spieth and Thompson will make several stops together throughout the day, including appearances on CBS This Morning, ESPN’s SportsCenter and Golf Channel. The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will also be featured on the TODAY Show, “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business, Live! with Kelly and Michael, Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up” and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Finally, Thompson will light the Empire State Building in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship colors.
Fans can follow Spieth and Thompson’s media visits on the official Drive, Chip and Putt Championship Twitter (@DriveChipPutt), Facebook, Instagram (@drivechipandputt) and Snapchat (drivechipputt) channels.
“I am a passionate supporter of junior golf programs and couldn’t be happier to work with Jordan to promote Drive, Chip and Putt next week in New York City,” said Thompson. “Initiatives like this provide great ways for girls and boys to learn golf while having fun, and Drive, Chip and Putt is an opportunity for players of all skill levels to get started at a young age and build confidence. I hope that by getting the word out, more families and kids will be inspired to sign up for this year’s championship and get into the game.”
“The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is an incredible opportunity for young players across the country, and I am excited to team up with Lexi to spread the word about this amazing program,” said Spieth. “After attending the finals at Augusta National Golf Club and being involved with the event at the local level, I’ve seen firsthand the fun and excitement these kids experience, which is what the game is all about. Hopefully by sharing our support for Drive, Chip and Putt, Lexi and I can encourage more parents to sign up their kids and help junior golfers everywhere pursue their dreams.”
In addition to supporting Drive, Chip and Putt, Thompson serves as an ambassador for PGA Junior League Golf and LPGA-USGA Girls Golf. Last year, Spieth and The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation partnered with the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) Junior Golf Foundation to encourage participation in Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying opportunities in North Texas.
