LPGA

Last updated

Ladies Professional Golf Association
Current season, competition or edition:
Golf current event.svg 2024 LPGA Tour
Ladies Professional Golf Association.svg
Logo introduced in October 2007 [1] [2]
Sport Golf
Founded1950;74 years ago (1950)
Founder13 original LPGA players [3]
First season 1950
Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States, with events in other countries around the world
Most titles Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (88)
TV partner(s) NBC Sports
Golf Channel
CBS Sports
Official website www.lpga.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is an American organization for female golfers. The organization is headquartered at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite women professional golfers from around the world.

Contents

Organization and history

Other "LPGAs" exist in other countries, each with a geographical designation in its name, but the U.S. organization is the first, largest, and most prestigious. The LPGA is also an organization for female club and teaching professionals. This is different from the PGA Tour, which runs the main professional tours in the U.S. and, since 1968, has been independent of the club and teaching professionals' organization, the Professional Golfers' Association of America (or PGA of America).

The LPGA also administers an annual qualifying school similar to that conducted by the PGA Tour. Depending on a golfer's finish in the final qualifying tournament, she may receive full or partial playing privileges on the LPGA Tour. In addition to the main LPGA Tour, the LPGA also owns and operates the Epson Tour, formerly the Futures Tour, the official developmental tour of the LPGA. Top finishers at the end of each season on that tour receive playing privileges on the main LPGA Tour for the following year.

The LPGA is the oldest continuing women's professional sports organization in the United States. [4] [5] It succeeded the WPGA (Women's Professional Golf Association), which was founded in 1944 but stopped its limited tour after the 1948 season and officially ceased operations in December 1949. [6] The WPGA had been founded by Ellen Griffin, Betty Hicks, and Hope Seignious. [7] [8]

The LPGA was founded in 1950 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. [9] Its 13 founders were: Alice Bauer, Patty Berg, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Marlene Hagge, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Betty Jameson, Sally Sessions, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, Louise Suggs, and Babe Zaharias. [10] [11] Patty Berg served as its first president. [11] The founders were elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame as a group in 2023 though six had already been inducted individually. [12]

The first LPGA tournament was the 1950 Tampa Women's Open, held at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club in Tampa, Florida. Ironically, the winner was amateur Polly Riley, who beat the stellar field of professional founders. [13] In 1956, the LPGA hosted its first tournament outside the United States at the Havana Open in Havana, Cuba.[ citation needed ]

In 2001, Jane Blalock's JBC Marketing established the Women's Senior Golf Tour, now called the Legends Tour, for women professionals aged 45 and older. This is affiliated with the LPGA, but is not owned by the LPGA.

Michael Whan, a former marketing executive in the sporting goods industry, [14] became the eighth commissioner of the LPGA in October 2009, succeeding the ousted Carolyn Bivens. [5] [15]

After a lawsuit filed by golfer Lana Lawless, the rules were changed in 2010 to allow transgender competitors. [16] [17] [18] In 2013, trans woman Bobbi Lancaster faced local scorn for attempting to play in Arizona's Cactus Tour in hopes of getting a spot for the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. [19] In December 2024, the LPGA published a new policy that states in order to compete as female in their tournaments, players must either be assigned female at birth, or have transitioned to female before undergoing male puberty. The policy goes into effect in 2025. [20]

In 2018, the LPGA acquired an amateur golf association, the Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA), and expanded its emphasis to include amateur golfers in the U.S. and North America. Initially called the LPGA Women Who Play, [21] the amateur organization was rebranded as the LPGA Amateur Golf Association. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association has member-operated chapters throughout North America and the Caribbean. [22]

LPGA Tour tournaments

Kristy McPherson during her practice round before the 2009 LPGA Championship
at Bulle Rock Golf Course in Maryland. 2009 LPGA Championship - Kristy McPherson (4).jpg
Kristy McPherson during her practice round before the 2009 LPGA Championship
at Bulle Rock Golf Course in Maryland.

As a United States–based tour, most of the LPGA Tour's events are held in the United States. In 1956, the LPGA hosted its first tournament outside the United States at the Havana Open in Havana, Cuba. In 2020, fourteen tournaments are held outside of the United States, seven events in Asia, four in Europe, two events in Australia, and one in Canada.

Five of the tournaments held outside North America are co-sanctioned with other professional tours. The Ladies European Tour co-sanctions the Women's British Open, The Evian Championship in France, and the Women's Australian Open (also co-sanctioned with the ALPG Tour). The other two co-sanctioned events—the BMW Ladies Championship (LPGA of Korea Tour) and Toto Japan Classic (LPGA of Japan Tour)—are held during the tour's autumn swing to Asia.

LPGA majors

The LPGA's annual major championships are:

Source: [23]

LPGA Playoffs

Since 2006, the LPGA has played a season-ending championship tournament. Through the 2008 season, it was known as the LPGA Playoffs at The ADT; in 2009 and 2010, it was known as the LPGA Tour Championship. In 2011, the event became the CME Group Titleholders, held in November; since 2014, it has been known as the CME Group Tour Championship, and that name is used as of 2024.

From 2006 through 2008 the LPGA schedule was divided into two halves, with 15 players from each half qualifying for the Championship based on their performance. Two wild-card selections were also included for a final field of 21 players. The winner of the LPGA Tour Championship, which features three days of "playoffs" plus the final championship round, earns $1 million.

In 2009, the Tour Championship field was increased to 120 players, with entry open to all Tour members in the top 120 on the money list as of three weeks prior to the start of the tournament. The total purse was $1.5 million with $225,000 going to the winner.

The CME Group Titleholders, which resurrects the name of a former LPGA major championship (the Titleholders Championship), was first played in 2011. From 2011 to 2013, its field was made up of three qualifiers from each official tour event during the season, specifically the top three finishers not previously qualified.

After 2014, the field is determined by a season-long points race, the Race to the CME Globe. [24] Points conferred to players on tour depend on whether the tournament is major or not, and placement. From 2014 to 2018, the top 72 players in the Race to the CME Globe competed in the CME Group Tour Championship, with the top 12 players mathematically eligible to win a $1 million bonus in 2017 and 2018. Past Race to the CME Globe champions include Lydia Ko (2014, 2015), Ariya Jutanugarn (2016, 2018) and Lexi Thompson (2017).

Tournament prize money

In 2010, total official prize money on the LPGA Tour was $41.4 million, a decrease of over $6 million from 2009. In 2010 there were 24 official tournaments, down from 28 in 2009 and 34 in 2008. Despite the loss in total tournaments, the number of tournaments hosted outside of the United States in 2010 stayed the same, as all four lost tournaments had been hosted in the United States. By 2016, the number of tournaments had risen to 33 with a record-high total prize money in excess of $63 million. In 2019, a new record was set with total prize money amounting to $70.5 million (a rise of over $5 million in one year). [25]

International presence

In its first four decades, the LPGA Tour was dominated by American players. Sandra Post of Canada became the first player living outside the United States to gain an LPGA tour card in 1968. The non-U.S. contingent is now very large. The last time an American player topped the money list was in 2014 (Stacy Lewis), the last time an American led the tour in tournaments won was in 2020 (Danielle Kang), and from 2000 through 2009, non-Americans won 31 of 40 major championships.

Particularly, one of the notable trends seen in the early 21st century in the LPGA is the rise and dominance of Korean golfers. [26] Se Ri Pak's early success in the LPGA sparked the boom in Korean women golfers on the LPGA Tour. [27] In 2009, there were 122 non-Americans from 27 countries on the tour, including 47 from South Korea, 14 from Sweden, 10 from Australia, eight from the United Kingdom (four from England, three from Scotland and one from Wales), seven from Canada, five from Taiwan, and four from Japan. [28]

2024 LPGA Tour

Historical tour schedules and results

YearNumber of
official tournaments
Countries hosting
tournaments
Tournaments in
United States
Tournaments in
other countries
Total prize
money ($)
2024 33112211125,500,000 [29]
2023 32112111102,350,000 [30]
2022 32923993,900,000 [31]
2021 30723769,200,000
2020 18314441,300,000
2019 3212201270,200,000
2018 3313191466,950,000
2017 3415171767,650,000
2016 3314181563,000,000
2015 3114171459,100,000
2014 3214171557,550,000
2013 2814141448,900,000
2012 2712151247,000,000
2011 2311131041,500,000
2010 2410141041,400,000
2009 289181047,600,000
2008 348241060,300,000
2007 31823854,285,000
2006 33825850,275,000
2005 32725745,100,000
2004 32627542,875,000

Hall of Fame

The LPGA established the Hall of Fame of Women's Golf in 1951, with four charter members: Patty Berg, Betty Jameson, Louise Suggs, and Babe Zaharias. After being inactive for several years, the Hall of Fame moved in 1967 to its first physical premises, in Augusta, Georgia, and was renamed the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. In 1998 it merged into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

LPGA Tour awards

The LPGA Tour presents several annual awards. Three are awarded in competitive contests, based on scoring over the course of the year.

American golfer Nancy Lopez, in 1978, is the only player to win all three awards in the same season. Lopez was also the Tour's top money earner that season.

YearPlayer of the YearVare TrophyRookie of the Year
2024 Flag of the United States.svg Nelly Korda Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka Furue Flag of Japan.svg Mao Saigo
2023 Flag of the United States.svg Lilia Vu Flag of Thailand.svg Atthaya Thitikul Flag of South Korea.svg Ryu Hae-ran
2022 Flag of New Zealand.svg Lydia Ko (2) Flag of New Zealand.svg Lydia Ko (2) Flag of Thailand.svg Atthaya Thitikul [32]
2021 Flag of South Korea.svg Ko Jin-young (2) Flag of New Zealand.svg Lydia Ko Flag of Thailand.svg Patty Tavatanakit [33]
2020 Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Sei-young Flag of the United States.svg Danielle Kang
2019 Flag of South Korea.svg Ko Jin-young Flag of South Korea.svg Ko Jin-young Flag of South Korea.svg Lee Jeong-eun
2018 Flag of Thailand.svg Ariya Jutanugarn (2) [34] Flag of Thailand.svg Ariya Jutanugarn Flag of South Korea.svg Ko Jin-young [35]
2017 Flag of South Korea.svg Sung Hyun Park
Flag of South Korea.svg So Yeon Ryu
Flag of the United States.svg Lexi Thompson Flag of South Korea.svg Sung Hyun Park [36]
2016 Flag of Thailand.svg Ariya Jutanugarn Flag of South Korea.svg In Gee Chun Flag of South Korea.svg In Gee Chun
2015 Flag of New Zealand.svg Lydia Ko Flag of South Korea.svg Inbee Park (2) Flag of South Korea.svg Sei Young Kim
2014 Flag of the United States.svg Stacy Lewis (2) Flag of the United States.svg Stacy Lewis (2) Flag of New Zealand.svg Lydia Ko [37]
2013 Flag of South Korea.svg Inbee Park Flag of the United States.svg Stacy Lewis Flag of Thailand.svg Moriya Jutanugarn
2012 Flag of the United States.svg Stacy Lewis Flag of South Korea.svg Inbee Park Flag of South Korea.svg So Yeon Ryu
2011 Flag of the Republic of China.svg Yani Tseng (2) Flag of the Republic of China.svg Yani Tseng Flag of South Korea.svg Hee Kyung Seo
2010 Flag of the Republic of China.svg Yani Tseng Flag of South Korea.svg Na Yeon Choi Flag of Spain.svg Azahara Muñoz
2009 Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa (4) Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa (4) Flag of South Korea.svg Jiyai Shin
2008 Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa (3) Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa (3) Flag of the Republic of China.svg Yani Tseng
2007 Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa (2) Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa (2) Flag of Brazil.svg Angela Park
2006 Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa Flag of South Korea.svg Seon Hwa Lee
2005 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (8) Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (6) Flag of the United States.svg Paula Creamer
2004 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (7) Flag of South Korea.svg Grace Park Flag of South Korea.svg Shi Hyun Ahn
2003 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (6) Flag of South Korea.svg Se Ri Pak Flag of Mexico.svg Lorena Ochoa
2002 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (5) Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (5) Flag of the United States.svg Beth Bauer
2001 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (4) Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (4) Flag of South Korea.svg Hee-Won Han
2000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karrie Webb (2) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karrie Webb (3) Flag of the United States.svg Dorothy Delasin
1999 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karrie Webb Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karrie Webb (2) Flag of South Korea.svg Mi Hyun Kim
1998 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (3) Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (3) Flag of South Korea.svg Se Ri Pak
1997 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (2) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karrie Webb Flag of England.svg Lisa Hackney
1996 Flag of England.svg Laura Davies Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam (2) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Karrie Webb
1995 Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam Flag of the United States.svg Pat Hurst
1994 Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel (3) Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel (3) Flag of Sweden.svg Annika Sörenstam
1993 Flag of the United States.svg Betsy King (3) Flag of the United States.svg Betsy King (2) Flag of England.svg Suzanne Strudwick
1992 Flag of the United States.svg Dottie Mochrie Flag of the United States.svg Dottie Mochrie Flag of Sweden.svg Helen Alfredsson
1991 Flag of the United States.svg Pat Bradley (2) Flag of the United States.svg Pat Bradley (2) Flag of the United States.svg Brandie Burton
1990 Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel (2) Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel (2) Flag of Japan.svg Hiromi Kobayashi
1989 Flag of the United States.svg Betsy King (2) Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel Flag of Scotland.svg Pam Wright
1988 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez (4) Flag of the United States.svg Colleen Walker Flag of Sweden.svg Liselotte Neumann
1987 Flag of Japan.svg Ayako Okamoto Flag of the United States.svg Betsy King Flag of the United States.svg Tammie Green
1986 Flag of the United States.svg Pat Bradley Flag of the United States.svg Pat Bradley Flag of the United States.svg Jody Rosenthal
1985 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez (3) Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez (3) Flag of the United States.svg Penny Hammel
1984 Flag of the United States.svg Betsy King Flag of the United States.svg Patty Sheehan Flag of the United States.svg Juli Inkster
1983 Flag of the United States.svg Patty Sheehan Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner (5) Flag of the United States.svg Stephanie Farwig
1982 Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner (3) Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner (4) Flag of the United States.svg Patti Rizzo
1981 Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner (2) Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner (3) Flag of the United States.svg Patty Sheehan
1980 Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel Flag of the United States.svg Amy Alcott Flag of the United States.svg Myra Blackwelder
1979 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez (2) Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez (2) Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel
1978 Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez
1977 Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin (2) Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin (3) Flag of the United States.svg Debbie Massey
1976 Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin (2) Flag of the United States.svg Bonnie Lauer
1975 Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Palmer Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner (2) Flag of the United States.svg Amy Alcott
1974 Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jan Stephenson
1973 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (7) Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin Flag of the United States.svg Laura Baugh
1972 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (6) Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (7) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jocelyne Bourassa
1971 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (5) Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (6) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Sally Little
1970 Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Haynie Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (5) Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Carner
1969 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (4) Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (4) Flag of the United States.svg Jane Blalock
1968 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (3) Flag of the United States.svg Carol Mann Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sandra Post
1967 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (2) Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (3) Flag of the United States.svg Sharron Moran
1966 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth (2) Flag of the United States.svg Jan Ferraris
1965 Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth Flag of Australia (converted).svg Margie Masters
1964 Flag of the United States.svg Mickey Wright (5) Flag of the United States.svg Susie Maxwell
1963 Flag of the United States.svg Mickey Wright (4) Flag of the United States.svg Clifford Ann Creed
1962 Flag of the United States.svg Mickey Wright (3) Flag of the United States.svg Mary Mills
1961 Flag of the United States.svg Mickey Wright (2)
1960 Flag of the United States.svg Mickey Wright
1959 Flag of the United States (1959-1960).svg Betsy Rawls
1958 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Beverly Hanson
1957 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Louise Suggs
1956 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Patty Berg (3)
1955 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Patty Berg (2)
1954 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Babe Zaharias
1953 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Patty Berg

Leading money winners by year

YearPlayerCountryEarnings ($)Most wins
2024 Atthaya Thitikul Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 6,059,3097 – Nelly Korda
2023 Lilia Vu Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 3,502,3034 – Celine Boutier, Lilia Vu
2022 Lydia Ko Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 4,364,4033 – Lydia Ko, Jennifer Kupcho
2021 Ko Jin-young Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 3,502,1615 – Ko Jin-young
2020 Ko Jin-young Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1,667,9252 – Danielle Kang, Kim Sei-young
2019 Ko Jin-young Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2,773,8944 – Ko Jin-young
2018 Ariya Jutanugarn Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 2,743,9493 – Ariya Jutanugarn, Sung Hyun Park
2017 Sung Hyun Park Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2,335,8833 – Shanshan Feng, In-Kyung Kim
2016Ariya JutanugarnFlag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 2,550,9285 – Ariya Jutanugarn
2015 Lydia Ko Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 2,800,8025 – Lydia Ko, Inbee Park
2014 Stacy Lewis Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 2,539,0393 – Lydia Ko, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park
2013 Inbee Park Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2,456,6196 – Inbee Park
2012Inbee ParkFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2,287,0804 – Stacy Lewis
2011 Yani Tseng Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan 2,921,7137 – Yani Tseng
2010 Na Yeon Choi Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1,871,1665 – Ai Miyazato
2009 Jiyai Shin Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1,807,3343 – Jiyai Shin, Lorena Ochoa
2008 Lorena Ochoa Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2,754,6607 – Lorena Ochoa
2007Lorena OchoaFlag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 4,364,9948 – Lorena Ochoa
2006Lorena OchoaFlag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2,592,8726 – Lorena Ochoa
2005 Annika Sörenstam Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 2,588,24010 – Annika Sörenstam
2004Annika SörenstamFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 2,544,7078 – Annika Sörenstam
2003Annika SörenstamFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 2,029,5066 – Annika Sörenstam
2002Annika SörenstamFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 2,863,90411 – Annika Sörenstam
2001Annika SörenstamFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 2,105,8688 – Annika Sörenstam
2000 Karrie Webb Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1,876,8537 – Karrie Webb
1999Karrie WebbFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1,591,9596 – Karrie Webb
1998Annika SörenstamFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,092,7484 – Annika Sörenstam, Se Ri Pak
1997Annika SörenstamFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,236,7896 – Annika Sörenstam
1996Karrie WebbFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1,002,0004 – Laura Davies, Dottie Pepper, Karrie Webb
1995Annika SörenstamFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 666,5333 – Annika Sörenstam
1994 Laura Davies Flag of England.svg  England 687,2014 – Beth Daniel
1993 Betsy King Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 595,9923 – Brandie Burton
1992 Dottie Mochrie Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 693,3354 – Dottie Mochrie
1991 Pat Bradley Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 763,1184 – Pat Bradley, Meg Mallon
1990 Beth Daniel Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 863,5787 – Beth Daniel
1989Betsy KingFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 654,1326 – Betsy King
1988 Sherri Turner Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 350,8513 – 5 players (see 1)
1987 Ayako Okamoto Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 466,0345 – Jane Geddes
1986Pat BradleyFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 492,0215 – Pat Bradley
1985 Nancy Lopez Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 416,4725 – Nancy Lopez
1984Betsy KingFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 266,7714 – Patty Sheehan, Amy Alcott
1983 JoAnne Carner Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 291,4044 – Pat Bradley, Patty Sheehan
1982JoAnne CarnerFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 310,4005 – JoAnne Carner, Beth Daniel
1981Beth DanielFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 206,9985 – Donna Caponi
1980Beth DanielFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 231,0005 – Donna Caponi, JoAnne Carner
1979Nancy LopezFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 197,4898 – Nancy Lopez
1978Nancy LopezFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 189,8149 – Nancy Lopez
1977 Judy Rankin Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 122,8905 – Judy Rankin, Debbie Austin
1976Judy RankinFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 150,7346 – Judy Rankin
1975 Sandra Palmer Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 76,3744 – Carol Mann, Sandra Haynie
1974JoAnne CarnerFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 87,0946 – JoAnne Carner, Sandra Haynie
1973 Kathy Whitworth Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 82,8647 – Kathy Whitworth
1972Kathy WhitworthFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 65,0635 – Kathy Whitworth, Jane Blalock
1971Kathy WhitworthFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 41,1815 – Kathy Whitworth
1970Kathy WhitworthFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 30,2354 – Shirley Englehorn
1969 Carol Mann Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 49,1528 – Carol Mann
1968Kathy WhitworthFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 48,37910 – Carol Mann, Kathy Whitworth
1967Kathy WhitworthFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 32,9378 – Kathy Whitworth
1966Kathy WhitworthFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 33,5179 – Kathy Whitworth
1965Kathy WhitworthFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 28,6588 – Kathy Whitworth
1964 Mickey Wright Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 29,80011 – Mickey Wright
1963Mickey WrightFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 31,26913 – Mickey Wright
1962Mickey WrightFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 21,64110 – Mickey Wright
1961Mickey WrightFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 22,23610 – Mickey Wright
1960 Louise Suggs Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 16,8926 – Mickey Wright
1959 Betsy Rawls Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 26,77410 – Betsy Rawls
1958 Beverly Hanson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 12,6395 – Mickey Wright
1957 Patty Berg Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 16,2725 – Betsy Rawls, Patty Berg
1956 Marlene Hagge Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 20,2358 – Marlene Hagge
1955Patty BergFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 16,4926 – Patty Berg
1954Patty BergFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 16,0115 – Louise Suggs, Babe Zaharias
1953Louise SuggsFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 19,8168 – Louise Suggs
1952Betsy RawlsFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 14,5058 – Betsy Rawls
1951 Babe Zaharias Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 15,0879 – Babe Zaharias
1950Babe ZahariasFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 14,8008 – Babe Zaharias

    1 The five players with three titles in 1988 were Juli Inkster, Rosie Jones, Betsy King, Nancy Lopez, and Ayako Okamoto.

    Leading career money winners

    The table below shows the top-10 career money leaders on the LPGA Tour (from the start of their rookie seasons) as of the 2024 season. [38]

    Active players on the Tour are shown in bold.

    RankPlayerCountryPlayedEarnings ($)Career
    events
    1 Annika Sörenstam Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1994–202322,583,693307
    2 Karrie Webb Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1996–202420,293,617497
    3 Cristie Kerr Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1997–202420,179,848599
    4 Lydia Ko Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 2014–202420,143,981245
    5 Inbee Park Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2007–202218,262,344305
    6 Amy Yang Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2008–202415,848,328350
    7 Lorena Ochoa Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2003–201014,863,331175
    8 Suzann Pettersen Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2003–201914,837,578316
    9 Minjee Lee Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2015–202414,746,089228
    10 Lexi Thompson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 2012–202414,588,207258

    Total prize money awarded in past years

    SeasonTotal
    purse ($)
    2023 102,350,000
    2022 93,900,000
    2021 69,200,000
    2020 41,300,000
    (73,500,000 [39] [40] )
    2010 41,400,000
    2000 38,500,000
    1990 17,100,000
    1980 5,150,000
    1970 435,040
    1960 186,700
    1950 50,000

    See also

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    The 2005 LPGA Tour was a series of golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world which took place from February through December 2005. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Total prize money for all tournaments was $45,100,000.

    The 2004 LPGA Tour was a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world which took place from March through December 2004. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). This was the 55th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season consisted of 32 official money events. Total prize money for all tournaments was $42,875,000.

    The 2008 LPGA Tour was a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world that took place from February through December 2008. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). In 2008, prize money on the LPGA Tour was $60.3 million, which was the highest in the history of the tour until 2016.

    The 2009 LPGA Tour was a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world that took place from February through November 2009. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    The 2010 LPGA Tour was a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world that began in Thailand on February 13, 2010, and ended in Florida on December 5, 2010. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    The CME Group Tour Championship is a women's professional golf tournament, the season-ending event of the LPGA Tour. It succeeded the LPGA Tour Championship, which was played for two seasons in 2009 and 2010. From 2011 to 2013 the tournament was called the CME Group Titleholders. The tournament has a limited field of 60 players.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Lydia Ko</span> New Zealand professional golfer (born 1997)

    Lydia Ko is a New Zealand professional golfer and the reigning Olympic champion. She first reached number one in the Women's World Golf Rankings on 2 February 2015 at 17 years, 9 months and 9 days of age, making her the youngest player of either gender to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf.

    The 2014 LPGA Tour was a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world. The Tour began at Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island in The Bahamas on January 23 and ended on November 23 at Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    The 2015 LPGA Tour was a series of professional golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world. The Tour began in Ocala, Florida, on January 28 and ended on November 22 at the Gold Course of the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Ko Jin-young</span> South Korean golfer

    Ko Jin-young, also known as Jin Young Ko, is a South Korean professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. By age 22 years, she had won 10 times on the LPGA of Korea Tour, was second at the 2015 Ricoh Women's British Open, and had won the 2017 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship.

    The 2017 LPGA Tour was a series of professional golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world. The season began in the Bahamas on January 26 and ended on November 19 at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida. The tournaments are sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Park Sung-hyun (golfer)</span> South Korean golfer (born 1993)

    Park Sung-hyun, also known as Sung Hyun Park, is a South Korean professional golfer playing on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour. She has won two LPGA majors championships, the 2017 U.S. Women's Open and the 2018 Women's PGA Championship. She was the number one ranked golfer in the Women's World Golf Rankings for a single week in 2017 and has returned to the number one spot in 2018 and 2019.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Atthaya Thitikul</span> Thai professional golfer (born 2003)

    Atthaya Thitikul, also Jeeno Thitikul, is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. Until 2023, she was the youngest golfer ever to win a professional golf tournament at aged 14 years, 4 months and 19 days after winning the Ladies European Thailand Championship as an amateur on 9 July 2017. She was the number one ranked women's amateur golfer in the world for a total of 12 weeks, rising to the top on two occasions, the first time on 26 June 2019.

    The 2021 LPGA Tour was the 72nd edition of the LPGA Tour, a series of professional golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world. The season began at the Four Season Golf Club in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on January 21 and ended on November 21 at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Patty Tavatanakit</span> Thai professional golfer

    Paphangkorn "Patty" Tavatanakit is a Thai professional golfer who began competing on the LPGA Tour in January 2020. On 4 April 2021, Tavatanakit accomplished her first win on the LPGA Tour – the 2021 ANA Inspiration, a major championship in women's professional golf. In October 2021, Tavatanakit was named the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year for the LPGA Tour in 2021.

    The 2022 LPGA Tour was the 73rd edition of the LPGA Tour, a series of professional golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world. The season began at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on January 20, and ended on November 20, at the Tiburón Golf Club in the CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Florida. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States–based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    The 2023 LPGA Tour was the 74th edition of the LPGA Tour, a series of professional golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world. The season began at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, in Orlando, Florida on January 19, and officially ended on November 19, at the Tiburón Golf Club in the CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Florida, not counting the unofficial December 10 Grant Thornton Invitational. The tournaments were sanctioned by the United States-based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

    The 2024 LPGA Tour is the 75th edition of the LPGA Tour, a series of professional golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world. The season will begin at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, in Orlando, Florida on January 18, and will end on November 24, at the Tiburón Golf Club in the CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Florida. The tournaments are sanctioned by the United States-based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

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