Jeeno Thitikul takes a six-shot lead into the final round of the LPGA Tour finale. Esther Henseleit slips back after a 73.
Tag: LPGA Tour
Jeeno Thitikul takes the lead at the CME Group Tour Championship with a flawless 63, while Esther Henseleit slips down the leaderboard.
Esther Henseleit opens the CME Group Tour Championship with a strong 68 to finish T7 after the first round in Naples, Florida.
The 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on the LPGA Tour is making headlines with a significant prize money increase. With a total purse of 12 million U.S. dollars, the tournament now stands alongside the U.S. Women’s Open as the most lucrative event on the LPGA Tour calendar. The winner will receive a prize of 1.8 million U.S. dollars.
LPGA Tour: Record Purse Marks a Milestone for Women’s Golf
Compared to the previous year, this represents an increase of 1.6 million dollars – the total purse in 2024 was 10.4 million. KPMG CEO Paul Knopp emphasized the strategic significance of this development in an official statement: “We are incredibly proud to make this happen. It reflects our commitment to setting a standard of excellence in women’s golf. Prize money plays a central role in that. For us, this is a long-term strategy to support success. We continue to stage the tournament at iconic venues that earn recognition in the golf world year after year. We’re excited about the path we’ve chosen,” said Knopp.
Prize Money Growth Across the LPGA Tour
This increase is part of a broader upward trend on the LPGA Tour. Over the past years, total prize money has steadily climbed; in 2025 it reaches approximately 132.6 million U.S. dollars – a record amount. Other majors like the Chevron Championship (8 million USD) and the AIG Women’s Open (9.5 million USD) have also seen notable growth. The U.S. Women’s Open most recently offered 12 million dollars in total, with 2.4 million awarded to the winner, also a record.
For the first time, the tournament will be played at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas. The modern course is part of the new PGA of America headquarters and is intended to become a long-term host for major championships. In addition to being a sporting highlight, Frisco offers the infrastructure to stage a globally prominent event.
Beyond the increased purse, this year’s edition features extensive media coverage. Over 100 hours of live broadcasts, including featured groups and real-time statistics, will be aired on NBC, Golf Channel, and the streaming platform Peacock. A special highlight is the use of AI-based tools providing detailed game analysis for players and viewers alike.
The LPGA Tour has canceled the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship (March 20-23) at Palos Verdes Golf Club near Los Angeles, the sixth tournament on the circuit, which kicks off the season this week with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. According to an LPGA statement, a business partner had not met its obligations and had not made the payments for 2024 and 2025. The cancellation of the tournament, which is hosted by five-time Korean major winner Seri Pak, was therefore unavoidable.
It remains unclear whether the sponsor refers to the main sponsor Fir Hills. The Silicon Valley investment firm signed a multi-year contract with the LPGA at the beginning of last year to sponsor the tournament. However, it is revealing that interim commissioner Liz Moore apologized to the players and fans and thanked the club and the organizer, but did not mention Fir Hills at all. The LPGA is currently looking to host the tournament in the fall, where Nelly Korda is the defending champion.
Mollie Marcoux Samaan will step down as Commissioner of the LPGA Tour effective January 9, 2025. Liz Moore will assume interim leadership in the coming weeks, while a global search is conducted for a permanent successor.
The Marcoux Samaan Era: Growth and Transformation
Since taking office in 2021, Marcoux Samaan has left an indelible mark on the LPGA Tour. Under her leadership, prize money surged by 90%, with a record $131 million set to be distributed across 33 tournaments in 2025. Players benefited from unprecedented enhancements, including missed-cut stipends, health benefits, and travel subsidies—a first in the history of the LPGA Tour.
“Since joining the LPGA in 2021, Mollie has been instrumental in solidifying our position as the global leader in women’s professional golf, realizing record growth in player earnings and fan engagement. Mollie has been a steadfast advocate for equity in the sport and has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women and girls through the game,” stated LPGA Board Chair John B. Veihmeyer.
The tour also saw worldwide growth in viewership and set records for fan engagement. In her resignation statement, Marcoux Samaan emphasized the importance of her tenure: “In this role, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable community of athletes, teachers, partners, tournament operators, industry colleagues, media, fans, volunteers, and staff who share a deep commitment to growing the LPGA and using the organization’s unique platform to empower and advance women and girls.”
Challenges in a Complex Sporting Landscape
Despite economic success, Marcoux Samaan’s tenure faced notable challenges. The LPGA Tour contended with issues surrounding transparency and operational shortcomings. A key example was the 2024 Solheim Cup, where insufficient spectator transport planning led to logistical setbacks.
Sponsorship relationships and limited live television coverage also became focal points of critique. The absence of long-term TV contracts and reliance on other tours hindered broader audience accessibility, sparking ongoing discussions about the LPGA Tour’s visibility.
Liz Moore Steps In: Transitioning to the Future
Liz Moore, a seasoned executive with over a decade at the LPGA, will take on the role of interim Commissioner. Having spearheaded major projects such as the tour’s digital transformation, Moore brings a strong blend of legal and technological expertise, along with deep operational knowledge of the LPGA’s strategic framework.
Her primary objective will be to ensure a smooth transition and prepare the tour for the upcoming season. The 2025 schedule begins with a record-setting $131 million in prize money across 33 official events—an enduring testament to Marcoux Samaan’s growth-oriented vision.
(This article draws on materials provided by LPGA Communications.)
Happy ending: Nelly Korda’s 2024 season ends with two major honours. Firstly, the 26-year-old was voted Player of the Year on the LPGA Tour after six victories. Secondly, and this is a very special honour, the world number one is part of the line-up of stars and models for the upcoming issue of ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’. The special edition of the sports magazine is by no means just a particularly nicely presented swimwear catalogue: The appointment for ‘SI Swimsuit’, which already has almost iconic status, is tantamount to an accolade in terms of stardom. Sports stars such as Steffi Graf (1997), Serena Williams (2003), Lindsey Vonn (2010) and Simone Biles (2017) have all been photographed for the special edition. Nelly Korda is the first female golfer to appear in the magazine.
Written by Michael Basche
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Nelly Korda Suffers Practice Injury
World number one Nelly Korda has suffered a minor neck injury in training. The 26-year-old announced this in a tweet. In it, she also informed her fans that she would not be able to compete in the LPGA tournaments in Korea and Malaysia.
Hey everyone, I wanted to share an update regarding my upcoming schedule. Unfortunately, I've had to withdraw from the LPGA events in Korea and Malaysia due to a minor neck injury I sustained while practicing.
— Nelly Korda (@NellyKorda) October 14, 2024
I’m disappointed to miss these events and am especially sorry to my…
Korda was sad about the situation, but also grateful for the support: “I’m disappointed to miss these events and am especially sorry to my fans who were looking forward to seeing me play.[…]Thank you for all your support—it truly means the world to me!”
Nelly Korda’s return uncertain
Korda has not announced where and when she will return. After the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea and the Maybank Championship in Malaysia, there are two more LPGA events in Asia before returning to the USA for the last two tournaments.
Lydia Ko extends her winning streak with a stunning performance at the Kroger Queen City Championship, capturing her third title in four starts. Following her recent AIG Women’s Open victory, Ko delivered an impressive final round of 63, solidifying her place as one of the game’s greatest talents in a remarkable 2024 season.
Ecco Golf and Lydia Ko: A Winning Partnership
ECCO GOLF ambassador, Lydia Ko, continued her hot streak this weekend at the Kroger Queen City Championship on the LPGA Tour in her first tournament since claiming her maiden AIG Women’s Open title last month.
Ko, wearing Ecco Golf Tray, shot a scintillating final round 63, coming home in just 30 shots to take home her third win in her last four starts.
Ko’s 22nd LPGA Tour victory rounds off what has been an incredible 2024 season for the Kiwi, following her Olympic Gold Medal and triumph at the AIG Women’s Open during the month of August.
Lydia Ko Shines at Kroger Queen City Championship
“It’s been pretty surreal. You know, I had the most unbelievable three weeks in Europe, and after having another three weeks off you’re not entirely sure what it’s going to be like,” Ko said.
“I started off this event really strong, playing well the first couple days. I kind of hung in there yesterday and I said I know the other girls aren’t going to play bad golf, so I just have to try and play even better golf. To have a round like this to cap off a win is pretty special.”
Timo Vollrath, Head of Global Marketing at Ecco Golf, commented Ko’s latest: “Lydia continues to prove that she is one of the game’s greatest – she makes a habit of winning and for us, it is brilliant to watch.
“It is a pleasure to work with Lydia, and to witness her journey in recent years has been a thrill. This streak of performances will go down as one the very best of all time, and we can’t wait to see what happens next!”
In addition to Lydia Ko, Ecco Golf shoes are worn in competition around the world by Esther Henseleit, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Erik van Rooyen, Henrik Stenson, Freddy Schott, Thomas Bjørn, Janet Lin, Rick Shiels and Erik Anders Lang among others. For further information about Ecco Golf, please visit golf.ecco.com.
(Text: Ecco)
With her gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Lydia Ko has reached the 27 points necessary for induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame. The 27-year-old New Zealand native achieved this milestone through a stellar career that includes LPGA Hall of Fame points earned for 20 LPGA Tour victories, highlighted by two major championship titles, two Rolex LPGA Player of the Year awards, twice earning the Glenna Collett Vare Trophy for the season’s lowest scoring average and now the Olympic gold medal. Ko becomes the 35th individual enshrined in the LPGA Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of the most accomplished and influential athletes in the history of women’s golf.
Lydia Ko, 20-time LPGA Tour winner
Ko is now a three-time Olympic medalist, taking silver at the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil and bronze at the 2020 Summer Games in Japan. On the LPGA Tour, Ko has amassed 20 LPGA Tour victories since 2012, including major titles at the 2015 Amundi Evian Championship and the 2016 Chevron Championship. She earned 18 of her titles since her rookie season in 2014, having won the 2012 and 2013 CPKC Women’s Open as an amateur prior to becoming an LPGA Tour Member. Ko was the 2015 and 2022 Rolex LPGA Player of the Year and won the Glenna Collett Vare Trophy, awarded to the player with the season’s lowest scoring average, in 2021 and 2022.
Ko has seven wins on the Ladies European Tour, five wins on the WPGA Tour of Australasia and one win on the Korean LPGA Tour. She also partnered with Jason Day to win the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational, a mixed-team unofficial event featuring PGA Tour and LPGA Tour stars, in December 2023.
Ko has set numerous Youngest Ever marks in her career. On Aug. 19, 2012, she became the youngest winner in LPGA Tour history when she won the CPKC Women’s Open at 15 years, 4 months and 2 days. She became the youngest player, male or female, to reach World No. 1 when she ascended to the top of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings on Feb. 2, 2015, at 17 years, 9 months and 9 days. Later that year, Ko became the youngest female major winner when she captured the 2015 Amundi Evian Championship at 18 years, 4 months and 20 days. She then became the youngest female ever to win two major championships at 18 years, 11 months and 9 days following her win at the 2016 Chevron Championship.
Now at 27 years, 3 months and 17 days, Ko becomes the youngest player to be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame under its current criteria. Prior to March 2022, induction criteria included the requirement that a player be active on Tour for 10 years. Karrie Webb reached the 27-point threshold at age 25 with her victory at the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open but did not reach the 10-year requirement until age 30 in 2005.
“Lydia’s qualification into the LPGA Hall of Fame isn’t just a milestone in her extraordinary career; it’s a testament to her generational talent, having built an unmatched resume of success at such a young age,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “Beyond her unprecedented achievements on the golf course, Lydia has inspired so many through her perseverance, kindness, generosity, and commitment to leaving the game better than she found it. She is a role model to us all and particularly to young girls, to whom she has shown what a true champion is, in sport and in life. Cementing her place in the Hall of Fame by winning the gold medal here in Paris is iconic, and it is something we will all remember for a long time. We are immensely proud of Lydia’s achievements and the impact she’s made on the world of golf and in global sports.”
LPGA Hall of Fame
The most recent inductees of the LPGA Hall of Fame were Lorena Ochoa and eight of the LPGA Tour’s original Founding Members. Ochoa had earned enough points to qualify when she retired in 2010 after eight seasons but did not receive enshrinement until the 10-year requirement was lifted in 2022. These nine women were honored in March 2022 for their years with the LPGA Tour. Prior to that, Inbee Park was the last player enshrined in the LPGA Hall of Fame when she earned the honor in 2016.
To qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame, members of the LPGA Tour must meet a minimum point threshold of 27 points, earned by the following criteria:
- Must have won/been awarded at least one of the following titles/honors
- An LPGA Tour major championship
- Glenna Collett Vare Trophy
- Rolex Player of the Year
- Must have accumulated a total of 27 points
- One point for each LPGA Tour official tournament win
- Two points for each LPGA Tour major tournament win
- One point for each Glenna Collett Vare Trophy honor earned
- One point for each Rolex Player of the Year honor earned
- One point for an Olympic gold medal
(Text: LPGA Tour)