New sponsor takes flight for Rancho Mirage LPGA tournament

The LPGA and IMG jointly announced Tuesday that All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s leading airline, will serve as title sponsor of the first major of the LPGA season.

The newly-named ANA INSPIRATION will be held March 30th-April 5th, 2015, and will continue to be played at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, home of the event since 1972.

ANA, which operates 72 international routes and 13 daily flights between North America and Japan, was also named the official airline of the LPGA.

The long-term agreement between the LPGA, IMG and ANA begins in 2015 with an increase in the tournament purse to $2.5 million. Additional increases are scheduled over the first four years enabling the total purse to reach $3 million.

“This is a landmark occasion for All Nippon Airways and demonstrates our commitment to explore new horizons and strengthen our longstanding connection between key markets of Japan and North America, said Yuji Hirako, Senior Vice President of the Americas, ANA.

“This partnership not only elevates one of the game’s greatest championships but also ensures that a major LPGA tradition will continue to grow and reach new heights,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan.

ANA will unveil activities surrounding the major championship’s theme of inspiration leading up to the tournament in 2015.