The LPGA Tour is currently stationed at the Upper Montclair Country Club in New Jersey for the Cognizant Founders Cup. While the tournament doesn’t hold the same importance as the recently concluded Chevron Championship, some of the best women’s golfers are on the course to make it an intriguing battle.

But on closer inspection, some of those star names, including LPGA star Lexi Thompson, are wearing red ribbons on their wrists. What do these little yet prominent accessories portray, and why are the players wearing them in the first place?

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Red ribbon conundrum at the LPGA Tour

The season’s opening major, the Chevron championship, witnessed quite a few upsets, including World No. 7 Lexi Thompson missing the cut. A strong field has assembled again at Upper Montclair this week, but many have been spotted with a common gear: a red ribbon strapped around their wrists.

Read More: Hours After Passing of a Legend, LPGA Tour Announces a Heartwarming Gesture to Honor the Deceased

Which begs the question: why are players sporting the stripe? Unfortunately, according to the LPGA Tour’s latest reports into the matter, the golfers are grieving the loss of Dr. Bruce Thomas. An important and experienced figure in the Tour’s body, he recently passed away due to complications following a surgical procedure.

Dr. Thomas also served as the LPGA’s Medical Director since 2006, a position he held until his final breath. The players are still mourning his death and have worn red ribbons as a sign of gratitude ever since that fateful day.

Furthermore, there could be a slight indication of players’ sporting the band due to the importance of this tournament.

The principal history and importance of the Founders Cup

One of the more popular competitions on the LPGA Tour, the $3 million purse Cognizant Founders Cup, attracts some of the best players around. But why is the tournament celebrated so much?

Indeed, the very conduct of the event speaks louder than the competition itself. Almost 70 years ago, thirteen visionary women came together to initiate what we now know as the LPGA Tour.

The LPGA Founders Cup, now called the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup due to sponsorship reasons, is a way of celebrating women’s golf as it proudly stands today. That bit deserves a red ribbon, doesn’t it?

What do you think about the LPGA stars paying homage to the fallen doctor and to the tournament itself? Let us know in the comments below.

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