The race for the LPGA Tour Player of the Year title is shaping up to be interesting, particularly if it were determined by peer voting rather than a points-based system.
At present, Nelly Korda appears poised to secure the title for the first time in her career. Her closest competitor, Lydia Ko, would require an impressive four more victories before the season’s end, despite competing in only two remaining tournaments. Moreover, other golfers like Ayaka Furue and Haeran Ryu would need to win all of their remaining events to be in contention.
Korda’s path to the award seems clear, as her remarkable six wins include a major title at The Chevron Championship, and she notably tied an LPGA record by bagging five consecutive victories—a feat that significantly raised the profile of women’s golf.
On the other hand, Ko has also had a stellar year with four victories, including her triumph at the Women’s British Open held at St. Andrews. However, the LPGA recognizes only three wins for points in this specific award process, leaving out her Olympic gold medal achievement.
How would player voting impact the outcome? A points system would mitigate subjective opinions and provide a clearer metric. This year, there was a notable player vote on the PGA Tour where Scottie Scheffler clinched the title despite only two victories, surpassing Jon Rahm, who had four wins including the prestigious Masters. Scheffler’s consistency was a pivotal factor in that decision, though it’s uncertain if Rahm’s mid-season switch to LIV Golf affected his support among peers.
Ko could likely concede that Korda is a deserving winner, but she may also prefer to keep her own victories from this season, which have included significant milestones. Her gold medal win in Paris, complemented by prior Olympic achievements, has made her eligible for induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame. The magnitude of winning a major at St. Andrews adds to her remarkable year.
The end-of-year decision will ultimately be made by the Golf Writers Association of America through their voting process. As for the PGA Tour, Scheffler is again a leading candidate for player of the year, combining a stellar statistical performance with seven wins, including the Masters and The Players Championship, as well as claiming an Olympic gold medal.
Although Xander Schauffele only secured two victories this year, both were at major tournaments—the PGA Championship and British Open—players in the PGA Tour often prioritize major wins above all else when casting their votes. Historically, no PGA Tour member has achieved two major wins in a single year without earning the player of the year title.
Voting for the PGA Tour player of the year will take place after the season concludes on November 24. In a light-hearted comment, Schauffele responded to questions about his bid for next year’s award, suggesting, “I must have the best career ever,” since he felt his achievements this year were still not enough for recognition.
In other news, Justin Thomas is returning from one of the most extended breaks in his career to participate in the Zozo Championship. His last competitive round was on September 1 at the Tour Championship, and he is eager to play again before taking another break for the birth of his first child next month.
“I have been itching to get back,” Thomas expressed. “While the break is enjoyable, prolonged gaps from competition make me eager to return and engage in tournaments.” He feels the excitement of returning alongside family and friends as he prepares to compete once more.
Tiger Woods has announced the player lineup for his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas set for early December. While he has not confirmed his own participation following recent back surgery, recovery is expected to span 8 to 12 weeks. His team remains hopeful that he could make a comeback at the PNC Championship with his son later in December.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will return for the Hero World Challenge alongside other prominent players, including Ludvig Aberg, who recently overcame knee surgery, and Patrick Cantlay. New entrants such as Robert MacIntyre and Matthieu Pavon also join the competition, where invitations are reserved for players ranked in the world’s top 50. Woods, however, is exempt as the tournament host.
Meanwhile, Steve Stricker confirmed he is stepping away from competition for the remainder of the year, maintaining his tradition of minimizing play after September. Having recently won the Sanford International, Stricker is now focusing on his health due to persistent back issues, contemplating procedures to alleviate pain.
Despite the pause, Stricker is dedicating his time to caddy for his daughter, Bobbi, during the second stage of LPGA qualifying. Over the years, Stricker has consistently chosen not to compete in October, which has included times he opted out to prioritize his family’s commitments.
In divisive tournament updates, the World Champions Cup at The Concession Golf Club has been canceled this year, redirecting focus on recovery efforts from Hurricane Milton. Michelle Wie West recently welcomed her second child, a son named Jagger Jerry YooJun West. Meanwhile, the PGA Professional Championship is relocating to Bandon Dunes, Oregon, for 2025, solidifying the tournament’s status as a key event for club professionals.
This week’s statistics highlight a remarkable trend on the PGA Tour, where four of the last five tournaments were won with each competitor firing rounds in the 60s, marking a significant achievement, with the exception of the Procore Championship.
To conclude, Schauffele humorously noted the logistical challenges of transporting the claret jug from the British Open to Japan, implying the trophy’s bulkiness compared to the Wanamaker Trophy from the PGA Championship.
Overall, the excitement surrounding the ongoing season continues to capture the interest of golf fans and players alike as they look forward to upcoming competitions and milestones.