The 2023 season’s final full-field event kicks off on Thursday, and the LPGA Tour is heating up as players compete for spots in the CME Group Tour Championship and 2024 LPGA Tour membership. The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican event promises to be a thrilling week with a coveted trophy and numerous season-long awards at stake.
The Namesake
Formerly known as the Pelican Women’s Championship, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican now boasts a $3.25 million purse, making it the largest non-major, non-CME Group Tour Championship event on the LPGA Tour. This event holds a special meaning as the sole namesake event on the current LPGA Tour schedule, named after the legendary 72-time LPGA winner and 10-time major champion Annika Sorenstam. The event proceeds will benefit the ANNIKA Foundation, founded by Sorenstam in 2007.
A Two-Time Defender
Nelly Korda, a local from Bradenton, Florida, has a strong track record at Pelican Golf Club, winning the event in 2021 and successfully defending her title in 2022 after overcoming personal health challenges. As she returns to The ANNIKA in 2023, she’s hungry for her first win of the season and looks to etch her name in LPGA history with a three-peat victory.
Getting Into the Top 60
The ANNIKA event also holds importance for players vying to secure a spot in the top 60 of the Race to CME Globe standings to qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship. This final week is crucial for players like Bianca Pagdanganan, Sarah Kemp, Madelene Sagstrom, Patty Tavatanakit, and Lauren Coughlin, who are battling to maintain or improve their rankings and secure their spots in the season-ending tournament.
Maintaining Status
Additionally, the event bears significance for players fighting to retain full LPGA Tour status for 2024, with competitors like Dani Holmqvist, Mina Harigae, Maddie Szeryk, Azahara Munoz, and rookie Lucy Li working hard to secure their positions within the top 100 in the Race to the CME Globe standings and avoid heading to LPGA Q-Series to retain their tour cards.
Award Updates
The ANNIKA event also factors into the race for coveted season awards, such as the Rolex Player of the Year Award and the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award. While Hae Ran Ryu seems poised to clinch the Rookie of the Year Award, the battle for the Player of the Year Award between Celine Boutier and Lilia Vu remains intense, with both players eager to secure the title with a strong performance at The ANNIKA.
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
