The LPGA Tour has faced numerous challenges over the last few years, from the loss of sponsorships to early retirements and a decline in TV viewership. However, despite these setbacks, the Tour has also experienced notable successes, such as landing significant sponsorship deals, witnessing Nelly Korda’s record-breaking season, and hosting one of the largest event purses in LPGA history at the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship, where the winner took home $4 million.
One of the key issues discussed within the Tour has been scheduling. Nelly Korda, ahead of the 2025 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, voiced her concerns about the Tour’s current scheduling, particularly the difficult travel logistics. The events are spread across various parts of the world, from Florida to China to Thailand, causing players to travel long distances frequently. Korda suggested that the LPGA should align its events in a more streamlined manner, particularly within regions like the West Coast, to reduce the need for constant cross-country travel. She also emphasized the importance of increasing the Tour’s visibility, with a focus on being featured in primetime TV slots, to attract more investment and growth opportunities.
Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who has been at the helm of the LPGA Tour, made significant strides in improving the Tour’s offerings and working towards its growth. However, she recently shocked the sports world by announcing her departure as chairwoman. Korda believes that one of the key areas the Tour needs to address, particularly following Samaan’s departure, is scheduling and streamlining operations to provide players with a better experience and to help grow the Tour’s exposure.
Alongside the scheduling issue, the LPGA Tour is also grappling with financial difficulties, including the recent cancellation of the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship. Originally scheduled for March 2024, this event was canceled after its underwriter failed to meet its payment obligations. The cancellation highlights the ongoing struggle with securing stable sponsorship deals, which has affected the Tour’s ability to maintain its full calendar of events. The loss of the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship further underscores the Tour’s current financial challenges.
Despite these hurdles, the LPGA continues to seek opportunities for growth, with the hope that better scheduling and increased exposure will help elevate the Tour to greater heights.