After a tumultuous 2020 LPGA Tour season due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season reached its conclusion with the CME Group Tour Championship. Despite an abbreviated season, there were many exciting events and finishes and this week was no exception at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
In the ninth year of the event, the ladies played for a purse of $3 million and 3500 points towards the CME Race to the Globe. Last year, Sei Young Kim shot a final round of 70 which included a 25-foot-birdige on the last hole to win the title and $1.5, which was the largest prize in LPGA Tour history.
First Round
Lexi Thompson got off to a fast start with five birdies over the first eight holes. After a bogey at the 9th, Thompson settled herself and finished strong with three birdies for a round of seven-under par 65. Thompson held a one-shot lead over Nanna Koertz Madsen, who was rock solid with six birdies and no bogeys. Caroline Masson shot five-under par which included an eagle on the par four 13th. Sei Young Kim and Megan Khang were also just two shots back. The excellent scoring continued down the leaderboard with six players including Cristie Kerr, Anna Nordqvist and Minjee Lee were at four-under. Moriya Jutanugarn, Danielle Kang, Stacy Lewis and Inbee Park all shot under par but were a considerable distance back. Ariya Jutanugarn, Brooke Henderson, Lydia Ko, and Jessica Korda shot par or worse and would need considerably improve play to get back into the mix.
Second round
Thompson, looking to extend her streak to eight seasons with at least one LPGA Tour victory, was stuck in neutral most of the day. She was one-over par for the day at the turn and recorded birdies on 14 and 15 for a round of 71. At eight-under par, she was tied with Sei Young Kim for second being Jin Young Ko, who fired a 67 to lead by one shot. Hannah Green vaulted into fourth with a round of 68 at was at seven-under par. Nelly Korda led a group of six at six-under following a round of 66 sparked five birdies on the front nine. After a substandard 74 in round one, Lydia Ko got back into the conversation after a seven-under par round. Brooke Henderson was in a four-player group and minus-three, while Ariya Jutanugarn, Cristie Kerr, and Inbee Park were the notables at minus-two. Nanna Koertz Madsen dropped well back after struggling to a five-over par round of 77.
Third round
The players continued to post lost scores in the third round with Sei Young Kim emerging from the pack in her quest at a repeat title. She posted a round of 67 and at minus-13 led by a stroke over Jin Young Ko. Georgia Hall made a climb up the leaderboard after five birdies on the final nine and was three back at minus-10. Brooke Henderson, Charley Hull, and Minjee Lee all posted rounds of 66 to get into a group at minus-nine that included Lexi Thompson. Lydo Ko and Cristie Kerr, who also shot a round of 66, were in at minus-eight. The Jutanugarn sisters, Inbee Park, and Nelly Korda were at minus-three and would need a miraculous finish and some help to have a chance at winning the tournament.
Final round
Several players were in the hunt during the final round before Jin Young Ko took command. Through 11 holes of play Ko was in a tight battle with Sei Young Kim, Lexi Thompson among others. Ko took command of the tournament with five birdies over the last seven holes to finish at –18 and a five-shot win.
Sei Young Kim, in her attempt to repeat, finished with a 72 and was tied for second along with Hannah Green. Mina Harigae came out of nowhere and quietly finished fourth at minus-12. Lexi Thompson’s bid for a victory in 2020 came up short as she finished tied with Lydia Ko at minus-11. Brooke Henderson got into the mix after a strong back nine and finished with Austin Ernst and Georgia Hall at minus-10. Ariya Jutanugarn finished strong with another top ten and was at minus-eight along with Anna Nordqvist and Cristie Kerr. Minjee Lee led a group of five at minus-seven. Although she finished at just plus-one, it must be noted that Alena Sharp recorded eight birdies and posted the round of the day with a 64.
Next Up
The 2020 LPGA Tour season has concluded. The ladies will tee it up January 16-19 to start the 2021 season at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Presented by IOA. The event is held at Lake Buena Vista, Florida with a purse of $1.2 million. Gaby Lopez shot 65 in the final round to win last year’s event.
