In a blustery opening round at the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship, South Korea’s Narin An scorched Tiburon Golf Club with a sizzling 8-under-par 64 to seize a one-shot lead. An’s stellar play left her three clear of a quartet of pursuers at 5-under 67, while World No. 1 and newly crowned Rolex Player of the Year Nelly Korda struggled to an even-par 72, languishing eight shots adrift.
An, 28, seeking her maiden LPGA Tour title, caught fire on the back nine, reeling off four consecutive birdies to separate herself from the elite 60-player field. “Today my putt really good,” a beaming An said after her bogey-free masterpiece. “The speed was good, and the shape was good. I just try to focus a little bit more.”
Chasing Pack in Hot Pursuit
Nipping at An’s heels is big-hitting Angel Yin, whose eagle at the par-5 17th propelled her to a back-nine 30 and solo second place at 7-under 65. A further shot back at 66 are former U.S. Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz and steady veteran Marina Alex.
Two-time major winner Lydia Ko heads a trio at 67 that also features Swiss sensation Albane Valenzuela, fresh off her Solheim Cup debut, and In Gee Chun. Ko, who captured Olympic gold last year to cement her Hall of Fame credentials, remained upbeat about her position. “It’s a course that can get away from you as much as you can shoot some low scores,” the affable Kiwi noted. “I’m just trying to stick to my game plan and go from there.”
Korda Battles to Stay in Touch
For Korda, a seven-time winner this season, the round proved a grinding affair as a balky putter and three uncharacteristic bogeys left her facing a daunting deficit. Still, the 25-year-old knows a thing or two about chasing down a lead, having come from behind for four of her victories in 2024. “It’s a good head start for the big ol’ prize we get at the end of the week,” said Yin, alluding to the eye-popping $4 million winner’s check, by far the richest payday in women’s golf history.
Eclipsing an Ochoa Record
Indeed, the champion this week is assured of shattering the LPGA’s 17-year-old single-season earnings mark of $4,364,994, set in 2007 by Mexican legend Lorena Ochoa. Prize money has roughly doubled since Ochoa’s heyday, when she pocketed $1 million for her Tour Championship victory.
Everyone is looking at that $4 million price tag. I try not to look too much at the result. All I can do is control my own round, my own energy, my own commitment.
– Albane Valenzuela
Valenzuela, for her part, is trying to blot out the potential riches that await should she break through for her long-awaited first LPGA win. “Everyone is looking at that $4 million price tag,” the 24-year-old former Stanford standout admitted. “I try not to look too much at the result. All I can do is control my own round, my own energy, my own commitment.”
Awards Season in Full Swing
The CME is not only the LPGA’s curtain-closer but also the capper to a week of celebrations and award shows. On the eve of the tournament, Korda was officially presented with the Rolex Player of the Year trophy she clinched earlier this month.
It’s the last week of the year. It’s kind of the bonus week. No matter what, everyone is having a paycheck.
– Albane Valenzuela
For all 60 qualifiers, a handsome check awaits regardless of their performance at Tiburon. “It’s the last week of the year,” said Valenzuela, striking a philosophical note. “It’s kind of the bonus week. No matter what, everyone is having a paycheck.”
Final Thoughts
As the LPGA’s grand finale unfolds, it’s already been a watershed year for the world’s top female golfers. Not only will one of them make history with the tour’s heftiest-ever single prize, but all are guaranteed a lucrative payday for their efforts. For An, Korda and the other elites, the race is on to grab the glory — and that tantalizing $4 million pot of gold at the end of the CME rainbow.
