[LPGA Tour Review] "K-Power Still Strong"... "7 Wins Including 3 Majors Combined"

Aftermath of COVID-19: 18 Tournaments Mini Season, Kim Se-young Player of the Year, Ko Jin-young Prize Money Queen, Kim A-rim and Popov 'Unknown Storm'

The LPGA Tour could not avoid the global spread of COVID-19 this year and held only 18 tournaments without spectators.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] '33 events → 18 events.'

The U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Due to the spread of COVID-19, a spectator-free "mini season" was held, and as a result, the Rookie of the Year and Annika Major Awards were excluded from the ceremony. The "K squad" showcased exceptional power with a combined total of 7 wins, including 3 major victories, amid the chaotic situation. The 2021 season will kick off on January 21 next year at the Diamond Resorts Tournament.

▲ 'Aftershock of COVID-19' = Initially, there was great anticipation for a record-breaking scale with 33 tournaments and a total prize money of $75.1 million (83.3 billion KRW). However, after completing 4 events in January and February, the tour was shut down until June due to the impact of COVID-19. The Asian Swing and the major Evian Championship were canceled, and the U.S. Women's Open was postponed from June to December. The tour resumed at the Drive On Championship in July and concluded on the 21st with the CME Group Tour Championship.

The LPGA Tour is dreaming of a strong comeback next year. There will be 34 tournaments with a total prize money of $76.45 million (84.8 billion KRW), surpassing the $70.55 million (78.2 billion KRW) of 2019, marking an all-time high schedule. Two new events have been added, and from April to May, the "spring Asian Swing" will be held early in Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and China. The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled for August 4. The final event, the CME Group Tour Championship, will open on November 18.

Ko Jin-young (left) and Kim Se-young made a late return to the tour this year and enjoyed the joy of winning the Money Queen and Player of the Year awards, respectively.

▲ 'Korean Power' = Korea achieved 7 wins including 3 majors, maintaining the top spot in wins for six consecutive years since 2015. Most notably, Korean players swept the top three spots in the money rankings. Before the tour was suspended, in February, Hee-young Park (33, Isu Group) won the Australian Big Open, and In-bee Park (32, KB Financial Group) claimed the Australian Women's Open. In September, Irelim Lee (30, NH Investment & Securities) captured her first major title by winning the ANA Inspiration, becoming a "Major Queen" for the first time in her career.

The vanguard in the second half was Se-young Kim (27, Mirae Asset), who returned late. She won back-to-back majors at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Pelican Women's Championship, building momentum toward the "Player of the Year" award. Arim Kim (25) capped the season with a major victory at the U.S. Women's Open, a highlight. She won as a "non-member," earning a direct LPGA Tour card. Ko Jin-young (25), world No. 1, secured the top spot in earnings by winning the CME Group Championship at the end.

A-rim Kim (above) and Sofia Popov each created an 'unknown sensation' by winning the major US Women's Open and the AIG Women's Open, respectively.

▲ 'Unknown Player Surge' = Five players earned their first wins. Among the five victories, two were majors. In January, Madelene Saxstr?m (Sweden) took the Gainbridge LPGA title, and in August, world No. 304 Sophia Popov (Germany) pulled off a surprise major win at the AIG Women's Open. She became the first German player ever to win an LPGA major. Her victory was further spotlighted by her human drama overcoming the rare Lyme disease.

In October, "coming out golfer" Mel Reid (England, ShopRite Classic) and fifth-year tour player Ally McDonald (USA, Drive On Championship - Reynolds Lake Oconee) both claimed victories. In December, world No. 94 Arim Kim stood atop the U.S. Women's Open, known as the "National Title of America." She became the fifth player to win on her first LPGA Tour start, following Patty Berg (1946), Kathy Cornelius (1956), Joo-yeon Kim (39, 2005), and In-ji Jeon (26, KB Financial Group, 2015).