The LPGA Tour enters a busy stretch featuring three major championships over the next six weeks. The first of these is the KPMG Women`s PGA Championship, set to begin Thursday at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas.
Amy Yang of South Korea is the defending champion.
This tournament marks the final major championship played in the U.S. this season. Following this, the tour heads to France for the Amundi Evian Championship (July 10-13), and then to Wales for the AIG Women`s Open (July 31-Aug 3).
As the tournament approaches, here are some key storylines to keep an eye on:
Can Nelly Korda Find Her First Win of the Season?
World No. 1 Nelly Korda had an exceptionally strong 2024 season, securing seven victories, including a major. However, she is still seeking her first win of the current season. Despite the winless streak, Korda has performed well, achieving four top-10 finishes in nine starts, including a tie for second at last month`s U.S. Women`s Open.
Korda reflected on the nature of golf, noting how different each year can be and the rising level of competition. This season has seen several first-time winners and major champions, with no player winning twice yet. Korda`s U.S. Women`s Open performance highlighted strengths off the tee and in approach play but struggled with putting.
She emphasized that being in contention, even without winning, fuels her desire to work harder and put herself in those positions again. “For me, I hate making mistakes; obviously, I love winning,” Korda said. “You don`t get to win often, but there`s nothing like being in contention, so I think that`s kind of what makes me hungrier to come back and to work harder and put myself into that position.”
Atthaya Thitikul`s Pursuit of World No. 1 and First Major
While Korda seeks her first victory, world No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul has already claimed wins on both the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA Tour this season. The 22-year-old Thai player is aiming for her first major championship title this week, which would help her narrow the gap on Korda for the top spot. Thitikul, the 2022 LPGA Rookie of the Year, previously reached world No. 1 briefly.
Her best major finish was a fourth-place tie at the 2022 KPMG Women`s PGA Championship. Living locally in the Dallas area, Thitikul leads the LPGA in strokes gained: total and is second in scoring average. Her consistent play, with six top-10s in ten starts and only one missed cut, places her atop the LPGA`s season-long points standings.
Thitikul shared her humble goal for each major is primarily to make the cut, viewing a win as a dream but expressing contentment with her career achievements so far. “Every major I just want to make the cut, to be honest,” Thitikul said. “It would be really great to win it, and definitely I can tell that it would be like everyone`s dreams to win a major. To me, what I have now under my belt. I`m pretty happy with all I`ve achieved. If I can get it, it would be great, but if not, I don`t have anything to regret about.”
The Debut of Fields Ranch East as the Host Venue
This year marks the first time the KPMG Women`s PGA Championship is held at Fields Ranch East, one of two courses at the new PGA of America headquarters. The course, designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, previously hosted the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in May 2023, where Steve Stricker won in a playoff at 18-under.
Fields Ranch East is slated to host the women`s major again in 2031, as well as the men`s PGA Championship in 2027 and 2034.
Three-time major champion Lydia Ko commented that the course plays differently depending on the time of year, potentially playing longer for the women this week due to less firm conditions and forecasted rain compared to the senior men`s event. “It`s not that firm and fast yet,” Ko said, adding that potential rain means “the course is probably going to play a lot longer than maybe how the senior men played it a couple years ago.”
After Thursday, the weather is expected to be hot and dry with winds from 10-18 mph. Nelly Korda noted that the difficulty will be influenced by the wind. She anticipates most par 5s will require three shots for her. Korda also highlighted that downwind holes could be challenging due to the difficulty of stopping the ball on the greens, with fluffy Bermuda grass preventing run-up shots.
Lydia Ko Approaching Annika Sorenstam`s Career Earnings Record
At just 28 years old, Lydia Ko is already the youngest inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame. With 23 LPGA victories, 38 wins globally, and an Olympic gold medal, her career is already remarkable. Ko is also closing in on Annika Sorenstam`s record for career earnings on the LPGA Tour. Sorenstam, with 72 wins, earned approximately $22.6 million before retiring in 2008.
Ko, who turned professional in 2013, has already accumulated about $20.8 million. Ko commented on the comparison, acknowledging the difference in Annika`s win total (“70-something times”) and expressing pride in her own 23 wins while hoping for more. She highlighted that they played in “a very different era.”
Ko feels fortunate to be part of the current era of growth in women`s golf and sports, stating it`s “very lucky to be born in this era.” Despite the difficulty of being compared to someone like Annika, who has achieved significantly more, Ko believes it`s the players` and organization`s responsibility to continue growing the sport for future generations.
Maja Stark`s Emotional Reaction to J.J. Spaun`s U.S. Open Win
Maja Stark experienced a career highlight recently by winning the U.S. Women`s Open, propelling her to sixth in the world rankings. After taking the following week off, Stark shared an emotional moment related to another U.S. Open. While she didn`t cry after her own major victory, she did shed tears watching J.J. Spaun win the men`s U.S. Open with a dramatic 64½-foot putt on the final hole.
Stark explained her reaction by describing the emotion of seeing his happiness, hearing he almost quit golf the previous year, his own tears, the dramatic finish with two birdies, and the heartwarming sight of his children hugging him. “I cried after J.J. Spaun won because I was so excited for him,” Stark said. “Seeing his kids, you know, hug him. That just makes me emotional for anyone. I`m just like a little crybaby.”