The Englishman currently leads a team of 30 people in the United Arab Emirates. The DP World Tour, like the LET, has a strong presence in the Middle East and around the world.
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“The Ladies European Tour has a proud history and an exciting future,” Phillips said in a statement. “I am honored to take on this role and look forward to working with the board, team and players to continue strengthening the tour, expanding its global reach and creating even more opportunities for women in the game.”
Last June, former CEO Alexandra Armas announced she would step down in the fall. Armas spent two terms at the helm of the LET, first taking over in 2005 during a difficult time for the tour, expanding the calendar to nearly 30 events before financial problems brought the world to a standstill. After initially leaving in 2012, he returned in 2020 and once again increased the number of tournaments and doubled his winnings.
Prior to his time on the DP World Tour, Philips spent 15 years working with Sir Nick Faldo, as CEO of the Faldo Series, which at one point included 40 tournaments in 30 countries. His additional past experience includes Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Golf Association and senior business development positions across Asia, including Mission Hills in China.
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“Tom is a highly respected leader with deep international experience and a strong track record of sustainable growth,” said Marta Figueras Dotti, chairwoman of the board of directors of LET Ltd. in a statement. “His business experience, collaborative approach and passion for the game make him the right person to lead the LET as we continue to build momentum for our players and our tour.”
The published tour notes that Phillips, having lived and worked in the Middle East and Asia since 2005, will return to the UK to begin his new role.
“Tom brings a global perspective and a clear understanding of how to grow the professional sport in a way that benefits athletes, partners and fans, and his appointment reflects the Tour’s long-term vision and the opportunity to further strengthen the women’s golf ecosystem around the world,” Liz Moore, board chair of the LPGA-LET joint venture, said in a statement. “He has consistently demonstrated the ability to build strong teams and partnerships, and we are excited about the leadership he will bring to the LET.”
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The LET’s 2026 schedule begins February 11-14 with the $5 million PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club.
This article originally appeared in Golfweek: LET appoints DP World Tour Middle East director as its new CEO