What to Expect from the LPGA Tour in 2023
The 2023 LPGA Tour season is set to kick off with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament on January 19th. We are here to bring you the 2023 LPGA Tour Preview.
The 2023 LPGA Tour season will see the largest purses every on the tour. The LPGA Posted this announcement on November 18th, “In a breakthrough moment in the history of women’s sports, the athletes of the LPGA Tour, the world’s leading destination for female professional golfers, will compare for more than $101.4 Million in official purses in 2023”.
Unlike the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour does an amazing job of incorporating and adjusting events based on where there players are from. The tour has the best representation of countries out of any professional sporting event in the United States. The 2023 season will visit 11 states across the United States and 12 countries and regions.
What’s New in 2023?
We already pointed out the fanatic improvement to the LPGA purse this year which improved from $85.7 million to $101.4 Million. This prize money will come with some new events, elevated purses, and unique formats.
The LPGA announced that there are 2 first-time events. The JM Eagle LA Championship is hosted this year by the Wilshire Country Club ($3 Million) & Mizuho Americas Open is hosted by Liberty National Golf Club ($2.75 Million).
Additionally, The Chevron Championship will make its inaugural tournament at The Club at Carlton Woods in the Woodlands, Texas. This tournament was played at Mission Hills Country Club from its inception till last year when it was decided that it would be best for the tournament to be moved closer to Chevron. I will miss the leap into Poppies Pond, it was such a great tradition for the LPGA Tour.
2023 LPGA Tour Preview: Players to Watch
Atthaya Thitikul – At only 19 years old Atthaya has already won 12 professional tour events. She turned professional in 2020, joined the LPGA tour in 2022 and currently sits at #3 globally. In just one year on the LPGA Tour she was able to able to win twice at the JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol & the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. She is definitely going to be on the radar for a lot of tournaments this year as she looks to keep the momentum from the 2022 season.
Nelly Korda – The eight-time LPGA Tour winner and current #2 in the world had a very rough 2022 season that was plagued with injuries early in the year. This caused her to miss a couple events as she took a step away from golf with a blood clot in her arm. She returned to play at the US women’s open in 2022 where she finished in the top 10 which surprised everyone and was a great return. She then went on to win the Pelican Championship. We will see if Nelly Korda can return to the #1 in the world which she held for 26 weeks before losing it.
Jennifer Kupcho – Since 2019 Jennifer Kupcho has been in the spotlight after competing in the inaugural ANWA at Augusta National home of The Masters. Jennifer is coming off of her best LPGA season winning 3 times and taking home the first major of her career The Chevron Championship at Misson Hills Country Club. Kupcho is currently ranked #13 in the world and we predict that in 2023 she will crack the top 10.
Minjee Lee – What a year for Minjee in 2022 as she took home her second major title winning at the US Open. The current 7th best player in the world is poised for another great year. Hopefully, she can capture her 8th win this year and catapult herself into the top 5 of the world ranks.
Lucy Li – One of the eight players to earn her LPGA tour card with a top 10 finish on the Eason Tour’s money list in 2022. Lucy Li will be a rookie on the PGA Tour in 2023 and a player to watch. You might remember the name and yes she was that 14-year-old girl who played in the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. Lucy has proven that she has what it takes taking a 54-hole lead at the Grater Toledo LPGA Classic last year. We would like to congratulate Lucy and wish her the best in 2023.