Every LET Order Of Merit Winner Since 1979
The LET Order of Merit has been awarded to the top player on the circuit since 1979 - here is who has won it over the years
The LET has had an Order of Merit in place since its first season in 1979, and over the years, the award has employed different systems to determine the winner.
For the first 20 years, the player who earned the most money over the season took the honor, but that changed in 2000 with the introduction of a points system.
It proved relatively short-lived, with the money list once again being used between 2005 and 2017 before a points system was reintroduced in 2018, and which is still used today.
The first LET Order of Merit winner was Scot Catherine Panton, who claimed the honor thanks to earning £4,965 from the circuit's 18 events in 1979.
By the final year of the Order of Merit's first spell where money earned was the crucial metric, Laura Davies claimed the prize thanks to having earned £204,522 in the 1999 season - one of a record six Order of Merit wins for the English player.
The first year with the points system, which came in 2000, saw Swede Sophie Gustafson take the honor, the first of four times in nine years she was named Order of Merit winner.
Dane Iben Tinning then won €204,672 in 2005 to win in the Order of Merit's first year back using the money list, before Georgia Hall won €368,935 12 years later in the final year before it reverted back to a points system. For the record, Hall then won it again in the first year the points system came back.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Nowadays, points earned on the LET count towards the season-long Race to Costa Del Sol rankings, culminating in the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana, which offers the final chance to earn points before the winner is crowned.
Below is the list of every LET Order of Merit winner since 1979.
Every LET Order Of Merit Winner Since 1979
Year | Winner | Points/Prize Money |
---|---|---|
1979 | Catherine Panton | £4,965 |
1980 | Muriel Thomson | £8,008 |
1981 | Jenny Lee Smith | £13,518 |
1982 | Jenny Lee Smith | £12,551 |
1983 | Muriel Thomson | £9,225 |
1984 | Dale Reid | £28,239 |
1985 | Muriel Thomson | £21,735 |
1986 | Laura Davies | £37,500 |
1987 | Dale Reid | £53,815 |
1988 | Marie-Laure de Lorenzi | £109,360 |
1989 | Marie-Laure de Lorenzi | £77,534 |
1990 | Trish Johnson | £83,043 |
1991 | Corinne Dibnah | £89,058 |
1992 | Laura Davies | £66,333 |
1993 | Karen Lunn | £81,266 |
1994 | Liselotte Neumann | £102,750 |
1995 | Annika Sorenstam | £130,324 |
1996 | Laura Davies | £110,880 |
1997 | Alison Nicholas | £94,590 |
1998 | Helen Alfredsson | £125,975 |
1999 | Laura Davies | £204,522 |
2000 | Sophie Gustafson | 8,777 points |
2001 | Raquel Carriedo | 10,661 points |
2002 | Paula Marti | 6,589 points |
2003 | Sophie Gustafson | 917.95 points |
2004 | Laura Davies | 777.26 points |
2005 | Iben Tinning | €204,672 |
2006 | Laura Davies | €471,727 |
2007 | Sophie Gustafson | €222,081 |
2008 | Gwladys Nocera | €391,840 |
2009 | Sophie Gustafson | €281,315 |
2010 | Lee-Anne Pace | €339,518 |
2011 | Ai Miyazato | €363,080 |
2012 | Carlota Ciganda | €251,290 |
2013 | Suzann Pettersen | €518,448 |
2014 | Charley Hull | €263,097 |
2015 | Shanshan Feng | €399,213 |
2016 | Beth Allen | €313,079 |
2017 | Georgia Hall | €368,935 |
2018 | Georgia Hall | 667.73 points |
2019 | Esther Henseleit | 743.06 points |
2020 | Emily Kristine Pedersen | 1249.35 points |
2021 | Atthaya Thitikul | 3591.96 points |
2022 | Linn Grant | 3624.91 points |
2023 | Trichat Cheenglab | 1966.52 points |
Most LET Order Of Merit Wins
Wins | Player |
---|---|
6 | Laura Davies |
4 | Sophie Gustafson |
3 | Muriel Thomson |
2 | Jenny Lee Smith, Dale Reid, Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, |
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Solheim Cup Tee Times For Sunday Singles And Matches
Can Team Europe produce an historic comeback? Going into the final day of the Solheim Cup they will need to claim eight points from 12 to retain their trophy
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'We're Almost Done' - Stacy Lewis Reacts As USA Move Closer To Solheim Cup Glory
Leading 10-6 going into Sunday, the Americans are just 4.5 points away from claiming the Solheim Cup, with captain, Lewis, focused on getting the job done
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Are Pro Golfers Allowed To Smoke On The Course?
Smoking is not nearly as commonplace as it once was, but are pro golfers allowed to light up on the course?
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Are The Top Point-Scorers In Solheim Cup History?
Only one American golfer has managed over 20 points in Solheim Cup history compared to four Europeans...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Who Is The Youngest Golfer To Play In The Solheim Cup?
Several teenagers have competed for either the USA or Europe since the Solheim Cup began - but who is the youngest ever?
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
8 Best Pairings In Solheim Cup History
These eight partnerships all played together at least six times over the past 18 Solheim Cups
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Who Is Ally Ewing’s Husband?
Three-time LPGA Tour winner Ally Ewing’s other half has a strong golf background, too – here’s what we know about her husband, Charlie
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Is Jennifer Kupcho’s Husband?
LPGA Tour star Jennifer Kupcho has been married to Jay Monahan since 2022 - here's what we know about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Is Madelene Sagstrom's Husband?
Discover more about the man LPGA Tour golfer Madelene Sagstrom is married to, Jack Clarke
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Well Do You Know The Solheim Cup Trophy?
The Solheim Cup trophy is made by luxury Irish crystalware company Waterford
By Elliott Heath Published