From the left: Yealimi Noh, Lauren Coughlin and Nelly Cord.
Michael Schwartz
Women’s sports have never been more popular. Roll in the tube at night and you are sure you will be greeted with epic shows by some of the best female sneakers in the world. Caitlin Clark. Coco Gauff. Simone Biles. Mikaela digifrin. Everyone has become a home-not-not name in women’s sports, but sports in general-and when they compete is TV should watch.
In the Golf world, the LPGA has visions of the following lawsuit. Not that he has not been worthy of sportscenter for decades. Nancy Lopez, Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sörenstam, that young little one of these extraordinary (and much more) athletes has cast her name in the history of the game and made sure to see moments and memories on the course. In her 47-year-old career, Texas legend Kathy whitworth Provided more victories (88) than professional players of any gender – Jack and Tiger included. So the tour is in more than strong land. But by riding the wave of the last boom of women’s sports, the time has come for the LPGA to raise its profile again. And it is.
What was once an indoor tour with (mostly) heroes of the house has become an international dynamic league that now attracts sneakers from all the corners of the globe, providing a phase – and much larger pay – for the world’s largest women to make their talent.
“The tour has become a completely different place than it was in 2016, when I was novice,” says Gaby Lopez, a 10th professional from Mexico. “I have seen so many inclusiveness with players from different countries and the cultures they play now.”
In 2025 – the 75th season of the LPGA – the schedule contains tournaments in 14 US states and 12 countries, including two Asian oscillations and one in Europe. This commitment to the continent’s competition has been felt in the demographic composition of the tournament, as players from more than 40 different countries value themselves as members.
“I think (diversity) is what makes us so marketable,” says 26-year-old Californian Andrea Lee.
Its international appeal has undoubtedly helped the LPGA Garner to expand investments from those who cut controls: partners and sponsors. $ 131 million in cash prices for Grabs this season represent the largest total bag in tournament history.
This economical boom comes in great time, with the tournament counting some of the brightest young stars of the game as members. Yealimi NOH and Alexa Pano have won each in the last calendar year – and each has not yet celebrated its 24th birthday. In only 22 years old, Jeeno Thiticul of Thailand has already won 17 times as a professional (including four LPGA wins), Rookie of the Year honors in two separate shifts, a note title and ended up above the LPGA money list. roseStanford’s prominent student and US 2020 amateur winner won in her first LPGA appearance: The 2023 Mizuho Americas Open. 10 Top 10 of Rolex World Golf Rending include veterans like Lydia KO, Lilia Vu and Charley hull But it is also a testimony to the youth movement, with the five -time winner of LPGA Ruoning Yin, 22, and last year’s Evian champion Ayaka Furue, 24.
“When I was novice, I knew I had to grow my game to be competitive here,” says 28-year-old Hannah Green, the fifth rank player in the world. “But lately there have been so many winners for the first time, it seems like there is a potential for someone to win.”
Well, most of the time. Nelly cord He had the golf world asking that story. No player in the game has more star power than the main winner twice, and in 2024 she told us why. In that Breakout campaign, the 26-year-old won a stunning seven times on the way to the honors of the year and her current place in Rolex rankings. The cord heater was not just in the golf course. Outside the ropes, she walked on the red carpet in Met Gala and posed for the latest issue of clothes on how.
Zephyr Melton with pictures from Michael Schwartz
This is quite difficult things. Such as the countries. Women now play courses that had previously been waiting for men. In recent years, the LPGA has made stops on some of the largest game cathedrals, including Pebble Beach, Congress, Baltol, Carnoustie and St. Andrews.
“The most fun I had in the Golf course was in St. Andrews,” says the three -time winner Jennifer Kupcho. “Just getting to the great places we have been in and the golf courses we got to play for diplomas has been really exciting. It was good to be part of the history of those countries.”
Leona Maguire of Ireland agrees: “As far as the places are concerned, I hope to continue to raise the tournament. It may not be possible to go to the same level as the men’s tour, but the wish of this gap would be great.”
Events like Grant Thornton Invitational are doing their part. Founded in 2023, the now-anniversary tour pairing a LPGA pro with a male friend from PGA Tour. It has not only helped display some of the biggest stars in the women’s game, but has been introduced to them with a new group of fans.
“As for the popularity and number of people interested,” says 30-year-old Sarah Schmelzel, “I think women’s golf is in a high time. But there is a ton of space to grow and continue to get better.”
If the tour wants to capitalize on that potential, it still has challenges to navigate. Mollie Marcoux in the sameHis recently removed commissioner left the organization after a polarizing mandate. As she succeeded in raising the bags, attracting young sponsors and deepening the tournament, she also, in the eyes of the public and the game membership, fell short as an effective communicator.
“It has not been excellent in a hot second,” Angel Yin’s ninth year acknowledges. “But I think our players really express it and the board took action.”
Marcoux Saman’s successor has not yet been named, but this has not stopped members from dreaming of what his future commissioner can achieve.
