The 2025 LPGA Dow Championship is heating up at Midland Country Club in Michigan, with Sarah Schmelzel (USA) and Albane Valenzuela (Switzerland) leading the pack at -13 under par after three rounds. This unique team event features a $3.3 million purse and alternates between foursomes and fourball formats, making it the LPGA Tour's only official team competition where strategy and partnership truly matter.
2025 Dow Championship Round 3 Results - Prize Money Breakdown & Tournament Format Guide
🏆 Round 3 Leaderboard Update
Sarah Schmelzel and Albane Valenzuela maintain their lead at -13 under par, while two teams share second place at -12 under: Jin Hee Im & Somi Lee (Korea) and Manon De Roey & Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (Belgium/France). The third round, played in foursomes (alternate shot) format, has created even tighter competition heading into the final day.
📊 TOP 10 Teams After Round 3
| Pos | Team (Country) | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇺🇸 Sarah Schmelzel / 🇨🇭 Albane Valenzuela | -13 | 68 | 61 | 68 |
| T2 | 🇰🇷 Jin Hee Im / 🇰🇷 Somi Lee | -12 | 67 | 63 | 68 |
| T2 | 🇧🇪 Manon De Roey / 🇫🇷 Pauline Roussin-Bouchard | -12 | 68 | 61 | 69 |
| T4 | 🇺🇸 Lauren Hartlage / 🇺🇸 Brooke Matthews | -11 | 70 | 63 | 66 |
| T4 | 🇺🇸 Jennifer Kupcho / 🇮🇪 Leona Maguire | -11 | 67 | 60 | 72 |
| T4 | 🇰🇷 Sung Hyun Park / 🇰🇷 Ina Yoon | -11 | 72 | 60 | 67 |
| T7 | 🇺🇸 Megan Khang / 🇺🇸 Lexi Thompson | -10 | 67 | 65 | 68 |
| T7 | 🇯🇵 Rio Takeda / 🇯🇵 Miyu Yamashita | -10 | 70 | 63 | 67 |
| T9 | 🇹🇭 Jeeno Thitikul / 🇨🇳 Ruoning Yin | -9 | 68 | 66 | 67 |
| T9 | 🇺🇸 Cheyenne Knight / 🇺🇸 Elizabeth Szokol | -9 | 69 | 67 | 65 |
💡 Key Insights: The Kupcho-Maguire duo recorded an incredible 60 in Round 2 but struggled with a 72 in the foursomes format of Round 3. Meanwhile, Korean teams show consistent performance, while defending champions Thitikul-Yin face an uphill battle from T9 position.
⚡ Understanding the Dow Championship Format
The Dow Championship stands as the LPGA Tour's only team event, similar to the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic. The tournament features 72 two-player teams competing over four rounds with alternating formats: foursomes (alternate shot) in rounds 1 and 3, and fourball (better ball) in rounds 2 and 4.
🎯 Format Breakdown: Foursomes vs Fourball
Foursomes (Alternate Shot): Partners share one ball and take turns hitting shots throughout the hole. Players alternate teeing off on odd and even holes, requiring precise teamwork and strategy.
Fourball (Better Ball): Each player plays their own ball throughout the hole, with the better score of the two counting as the team's score. This format allows for more aggressive play and spectacular scores.
💰 2025 Prize Money Structure
The 2025 Dow Championship boasts a total purse of $3.3 million, representing a significant $300,000 increase from 2024's $3 million. The winning team will split $805,381, with each player receiving $402,691 - a substantial increase from last year's winner's share.
🏅 Prize Distribution by Position
- 🥇 1st Place: $805,381 total ($402,691 per player)
- 🥈 2nd Place: Approximately $550,000 total
- 🥉 3rd Place: Approximately $450,000 total
- 📊 Top 7 Teams: All earn over $100,000
- 📈 Last Place: $15,123 total payout
✂️ Cut Line and Final Field
After 36 holes, the field was trimmed from 72 teams to the low 33 teams and ties. Following three rounds, 37 teams have advanced to the final round, setting up an exciting conclusion to this unique team championship.
⭐ Round 3 Performance Analysis
🏆 Leaders Maintaining Pressure
Sarah Schmelzel and Albane Valenzuela demonstrated remarkable consistency with a steady 68 in Round 3's foursomes format, maintaining their -13 lead. Their Round 2 score of 61 in fourball play was a tournament highlight, showcasing their versatility across different formats.
🇰🇷 Korean Teams Rising Strong
Korean players are making a significant impact with multiple teams in contention. Jin Hee Im and Somi Lee sit in a tie for second at -12, while Sung Hyun Park and Ina Yoon hold T4 at -11 after their spectacular 60 in Round 2. Sei Young Kim and Auston Kim also remain competitive at -8, demonstrating the depth of Korean talent in team play.
📈 Notable Position Changes
Jennifer Kupcho and Leona Maguire experienced the volatility of team golf, following their remarkable 60 in Round 2 with a challenging 72 in the foursomes format of Round 3. Meanwhile, Megan Khang and Lexi Thompson have shown steady progress, maintaining their -10 position through consistent play across all three rounds.
🔄 Defending Champions Face Challenge
Last year's champions, Jeeno Thitikul and Ruoning Yin, find themselves in a tie for ninth at -9, four shots behind the leaders. Their title defense will require a spectacular final round in the fourball format, where aggressive play could yield the low scores needed for a comeback.
🌟 What Makes the Dow Championship Special
🎪 Unique Tournament Features
Beyond the golf, the Dow Championship offers free admission for spectators under 17, LPGA Tour Pro-Am participation, youth programming, the signature Eat Great Trail food experience, and an on-site STEM Center. The event has also earned distinction as the first team-play event to receive GEO Certified® recognition for sustainability in golf.
💝 Community Impact Through #TeamUp
The innovative #TeamUp program pairs each of the 72 teams with local nonprofit organizations, guaranteeing at least $4,500 for each charity and pushing total Dow donations beyond the $2.5 million mark. This initiative demonstrates how professional golf can create meaningful community partnerships.
🔮 Final Round Predictions
Sunday's final round will be played in fourball (better ball) format, typically producing the most aggressive play and lowest scores of the week. With just one stroke separating the leaders from second place, expect fireworks as teams chase the $3.3 million purse. In case of a tie after 72 holes, a sudden-death playoff will be conducted in foursomes format starting at the 18th hole.
📺 How to Watch
Golf Channel and the NBC Sports app provide comprehensive coverage of all four rounds, with additional streaming options available for international viewers. The final round coverage begins Sunday morning, promising exciting conclusion to this unique team championship.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did the Dow Championship begin?
A: The tournament started in 2019 as the Great Lakes Bay Invitational before being renamed the Dow Championship, establishing itself as a unique fixture on the LPGA calendar.
Q: How are teams formed for the championship?
A: The field consists of 72 two-player teams, with players having the freedom to choose their own partners, creating interesting dynamics and strategic partnerships.
Q: How much has the purse increased this year?
A: The purse has grown from $3 million in 2024 to $3.3 million in 2025, representing a 10% increase and demonstrating the tournament's growing stature.
Q: What happens if teams tie after 72 holes?
A: A sudden-death playoff will be conducted using the foursomes format, starting at the 18th hole until a winner is determined.
Q: Why is this tournament significant for team golf?
A: As the LPGA's only official team event, it provides a unique format that showcases different skills and strategies compared to individual stroke play tournaments.
📜 Tournament Evolution
Since its inception in 2019, the Dow Championship has grown significantly in both purse size and prestige. The tournament has evolved from a $2 million purse to its current $3.3 million, representing more than 65% growth. Attendance has topped 26,000 spectators, and the economic impact on the local Midland community has reached approximately $49 million, cementing its importance beyond just professional golf.
🏁 Championship Outlook
The 2025 Dow Championship continues to showcase the best of team golf on the LPGA Tour, combining elite competition with community engagement and sustainability initiatives. With the leaders separated by just one stroke heading into the final round's fourball format, fans can expect an exciting conclusion to this unique championship. The Korean contingent's strong showing, the defending champions' struggle, and the tight leaderboard all point to a thrilling finish that will determine who claims the largest team prize in LPGA history.
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