Somi Lee made a significant impact on the opening day of the CME Group Tour Championship, leading the event with a remarkable score of 8-under 64. The South Korean golfer’s performance at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, has put her in a strong position to compete for the tournament’s substantial prize pool of $4 million, the largest payout in women’s golf.
Lee’s strategy included modifying her putting grip to emulate that of LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko. This adjustment proved effective, allowing her to pull away in the competition, particularly after executing an eagle on the par-5 17th hole. Despite a slight setback with a three-putt bogey on the final hole, Lee maintained a two-shot lead over Allisen Corpuz, the former U.S. Women’s Open champion.
In the race for the coveted LPGA Player of the Year title, Jeeno Thitikul, currently ranked number one, also had a strong showing. She finished the day with a score of 67, securing six birdies and tying for third place alongside three other competitors. Thitikul, who won the Tour Championship last year, is poised to retain her Player of the Year title unless Miyu Yamashita of Japan wins the tournament. Yamashita, who has claimed two victories this year, including the Women’s British Open, opened with a 70 after facing challenges with two bogeys.
Despite struggling with a tender left wrist from a previous tournament, Thitikul expressed her excitement for the season’s finale. She noted that the pressure is off, allowing her to approach the competition with a carefree mindset. “I think it’s just like almost a bonus for me this kind of year to be able to play here,” she remarked, highlighting the thrill of competing for a significant prize.
Notable competitors included Nelly Korda, who had a challenging round, finishing with a score of 71. Korda, who won seven titles last year, is seeking to avoid a winless season. She missed several birdie opportunities, including a short putt on the 17th hole, which hindered her performance.
The tournament’s structure has shifted, with the top 60 players reaching this final event, making the Race to CME Globe rankings irrelevant. The winner will take home the largest individual prize in women’s golf, further elevating the stakes of the competition.
With 29 different winners on the LPGA Tour this year, the CME Group Tour Championship promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the season. Lee’s impressive start and Thitikul’s pursuit of player honors set the stage for an exciting weekend of golf, as players vie for both prestige and a substantial financial reward.
