Two of the world’s top five are facing fines of $25,000 for missing this week’s LPGA Tour season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, per a Golfweek report.
World No.3 Minjee Lee and World No.5 Jin Young Ko are about to fall foul of the LPGA 1-in-4 requirement that states that players in the top 80 of the CME points list have to participate in a domestic tournament every four years - a stipulation that holds until a player has completed 230 official LPGA events, after which the player is exempt for the remainder of her career.
The tournament, which features a 30-player field, begins this week, with neither Australian Lee nor Korean Ko in it, although the latter had originally intended to play the tournament before withdrawing. To play in the Florida tournament, the pair would face the daunting prospect of trips around the world given their respective home countries.
After the Florida opener, the season’s second tournament doesn’t begin until over a month later. Importantly, that event, the Honda LPGA Thailand, marks the start of the Tour’s three-tournament Asian Swing, making it far easier for the pair to attend. Other potential reasons that have persuaded the pair to opt out of playing could be Ko’s wrist injury, which she sustained at the end of last season, and Lee’s hectic schedule that saw her compete as recently as last month in the ISPS Handa Australian Open.
The 1-in-4 rule was originally devised to protect sponsors, and both Lee and Ko can apply for their one-time exemption from the tournament should they choose to do so. Meanwhile, the VP of Tour Operations for the LPGA, Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana, confirmed that both players could appeal the fines.
World No.2 Nelly Korda is the highest-ranked player in the tournament, which begins at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on 19 January.
-
Who Is Jake Knapp's Caddie?Less than 18 months after earning his PGA Tour card, Jake Knapp had a win and a 59 on his resume, and alongside him as he's built his reputation is caddie Mike Stephens
-
'It Felt Like I Was Tiger Woods' - Dylan Naidoo Thanks Home Fans After Sealing Rain-Affected South African Open Championship Playoff SuccessSouth Africa's Dylan Naidoo won the South African Open Championship in a playoff against Laurie Canter after the final round was cancelled due to a flooded Durban CC
-
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate Format, Which Teams Are Playing And How To WatchThe 13th Darius Rucker Intercollegiate takes place in South Carolina - here are some of the key details about the prestigious college golf tournament
-
Who Are The Best Golfers Under The Age Of 25?It's no secret that the talent pool of golf is getting younger and younger. So, in this piece, we take you through the best players under the age of 25
-
HSBC Women’s World Championship Prize Money Payout 2025The largest purse of the LPGA Tour season so far is on offer as some of the world’s best players compete at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club
-
Anna Nordqvist Announced As 2026 European Solheim Cup CaptainAfter two stints as vice-captain, Nordqvist is set to step up the captaincy role for 2026, with the team event taking place at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands
-
Angel Yin Hangs On For Second LPGA Tour Title Despite Sponsor Invite's Closing 61The American narrowly claimed the Honda LPGA Thailand prize ahead of Japan's Akie Iwai - who almost snatched victory away via an outstanding 11-under 61
-
'It Is Very Frustrating How Far Behind The PGA Tour We Are' - LPGA Unveils Own Version Of PGA Tour U As College Coach Reveals Frustration Among NCAA Ranks Over Lack Of OpportunitiesJustin Silverstein, the women's golf team head coach at the University of Southern California, says coaches throughout the NCAA system have long been frustrated at a lack of LPGA Tour and Epson Tour opportunities for their athletes
-
Lydia Ko Celebrates Three Olympic Medals With Special TattooThe New Zealander, who won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, has unveiled her latest tattoo, which references all three of her medals at the Games
-
'It Couldn't Be More Different' - The Chase For Distance Is Almost Exclusive To Men's Golf, But One Leading College Coach We Spoke To Says A Simple Change Could Help Women Join InUniversity of Southern California women's golf head coach, Justin Silverstein shares why female players generally aren't chasing distance like their male peers
