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The 2025 LPGA Tour season reaches its grand finale with the CME Group Tour Championship, taking place November 20-23 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. With an unprecedented $11 million purse and a record-breaking $4 million winner's check—the largest first-place prize in women's golf history—only the top 60 players in the Race to CME Globe standings have earned their spot. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul leads an elite field featuring defending champions, major winners, and the season's most consistent performers in what promises to be the most competitive finale in LPGA Tour history.
2025 CME Group Tour Championship: Complete Guide to Prize Money, Field & Winner Predictions
🏆 Tournament Overview
The CME Group Tour Championship, established in 2014, serves as the LPGA Tour's season-ending championship where only the best of the best compete. This isn't just another tournament—it's the culmination of an entire season's worth of excellence, where only the top 60 players in the Race to CME Globe standings earn the right to compete.
The tournament's prestige has grown exponentially. In 2024, the purse increased from $7 million to $11 million, making it the third-largest tournament in women's golf behind the U.S. Women's Open and KPMG Women's PGA Championship. However, with a $4 million winner's check—compared to $2.4 million at the U.S. Women's Open and $1.8 million at the KPMG—it offers the richest prize in women's professional golf.
The format is straightforward: 72 holes of stroke play with no cut, meaning all 60 qualified players compete for four full rounds. The player with the lowest total score claims the championship and the life-changing prize money.
📅 Tournament Details
Tournament: 2025 CME Group Tour Championship
Dates: November 20-23, 2025 (Wednesday-Saturday)
Venue: Tiburon Golf Club (Ritz Carlton Golf Resort), Naples, Florida
Total Purse: $11,000,000
Winner's Prize: $4,000,000
Field Size: 60 players (Top 60 in CME Globe Points)
Format: 72-hole stroke play (No cut)
2024 Champion: Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand)
🎯 Qualification & The Elite 60
Earning a spot in the CME Group Tour Championship is no easy feat. Only the top 60 players in the Race to CME Globe standings following The Annika driven by Gainbridge qualify. There are no Monday qualifiers, no alternates—just the 60 best players from an entire season of competition.
This creates drama until the final qualifying event. Players on the bubble fight desperately for every point, knowing that a single position can mean the difference between competing for $4 million or watching from home. The battle for 60th place often comes down to the final holes of the penultimate event.
This year's field represents the absolute cream of the LPGA Tour crop, including defending champions, major winners, and the most consistent performers throughout 2025.
🏅 Top 10 in CME Globe Standings
| Rank | Player | Country | Points | Wins | Top 10s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeeno Thitikul | 🇹🇭 Thailand | 3,566.95 | 2 | 13 |
| 2 | Miyu Yamashita | 🇯🇵 Japan | 2,772.26 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | Minjee Lee | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2,639.96 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Rio Takeda | 🇯🇵 Japan | 1,998.86 | 1 | 8 |
| 5 | Hyo Joo Kim | 🇰🇷 Korea | 1,859.96 | 1 | 7 |
| 6 | Hye-Jin Choi | 🇰🇷 Korea | 1,812.34 | 0 | 9 |
| 7 | Sei Young Kim | 🇰🇷 Korea | 1,798.20 | 1 | 9 |
| 8 | A Lim Kim | 🇰🇷 Korea | 1,752.28 | 1 | 9 |
| 9 | Nelly Korda | 🇺🇸 USA | 1,727.19 | 0 | 8 |
| 10 | Somi Lee | 🇰🇷 Korea | 1,702.64 | 1 | 7 |
📋 Complete Field: All 60 Qualified Players
| Rank | Player | Country | Points | Wins | Top 10s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeeno Thitikul | Thailand | 3,566.95 | 2 | 13 |
| 2 | Miyu Yamashita | Japan | 2,772.26 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | Minjee Lee | Australia | 2,639.96 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Rio Takeda | Japan | 1,998.86 | 1 | 8 |
| 5 | Hyo Joo Kim | Korea | 1,859.96 | 1 | 7 |
| 6 | Hye-Jin Choi | Korea | 1,812.34 | 0 | 9 |
| 7 | Sei Young Kim | Korea | 1,798.20 | 1 | 9 |
| 8 | A Lim Kim | Korea | 1,752.28 | 1 | 9 |
| 9 | Nelly Korda | USA | 1,727.19 | 0 | 8 |
| 10 | Somi Lee | Korea | 1,702.64 | 1 | 7 |
| 11 | Mao Saigo | Japan | 1,682.00 | 1 | 6 |
| 12 | Nasa Hataoka | Japan | 1,673.62 | 1 | 7 |
| 13 | Akie Iwai | Japan | 1,646.09 | 1 | 7 |
| 14 | Charley Hull | England | 1,566.27 | 1 | 4 |
| 15 | Chisato Iwai | Japan | 1,528.95 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 | Jin Hee Im | Korea | 1,440.88 | 1 | 5 |
| 17 | Angel Yin | USA | 1,440.42 | 1 | 6 |
| 18 | Minami Katsu | Japan | 1,415.83 | 0 | 6 |
| 19 | Celine Boutier | France | 1,388.59 | 0 | 5 |
| 20 | Jennifer Kupcho | USA | 1,360.10 | 1 | 3 |
| 21-60 | Linn Grant, Haeran Ryu, Andrea Lee, Yealimi Noh, Ayaka Furue, Lydia Ko, Carlota Ciganda, Lindy Duncan, Grace Kim, Brooke Henderson, Lauren Coughlin, Ariya Jutanugarn, Megan Khang, Ruoning Yin, Auston Kim, Miranda Wang, Jin Young Ko, Gaby Lopez, Hannah Green, Maja Stark, Esther Henseleit, Lottie Woad, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Chanettee Wannasaen, Stephanie Kyriacou, Sarah Schmelzel, Madelene Sagstrom, Jenny Bae, Allisen Corpuz, Ingrid Lindblad, Mi Hyang Lee, Lexi Thompson, Manon De Roey, Yan Liu, Patty Tavatanakit, Leona Maguire, Nataliya Guseva, Lucy Li, Brooke Matthews, Pajaree Anannarukarn | ||||
⚡ Top Contenders & In-Depth Analysis
🥇 #1: Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand) - The Favorite
Ranking: 1st in CME Globe | World Ranking: #1 | Points: 3,566.95
2025 Season: 2 wins, 13 top-10 finishes in 19 events
Betting Odds: 6/1 (Favorite)
At just 22 years old, Jeeno Thitikul has established herself as the season's dominant force. She became the first player to win multiple times in 2025, breaking a historic 26-tournament streak of different winners with her dramatic five-hole playoff victory at the Buick LPGA Shanghai in October.
What makes Thitikul so dangerous? Her consistency is extraordinary—13 top-10 finishes demonstrate she's in contention nearly every week. She claimed World No. 1 in August, dethroning Nelly Korda, and hasn't relinquished the position. Her victories came at the Mizuho Americas Open in May and the Shanghai playoff thriller where she made eagle on the 17th to force extra holes.
The defending champion factor cannot be ignored. In 2024, Thitikul closed with eagle-birdie on the final two holes to finish at 22-under and claim the $4 million prize. She knows how to win on this course and under this pressure. The course knowledge and championship experience give her a significant advantage.
Her near-misses at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship (led at halfway) and the Evian Championship (lost in playoff) show she can compete in majors. The mental fortitude to bounce back from heartbreak—like her four-putt final hole at the Kroger Championship—and win in Shanghai two weeks later demonstrates championship mentality.
Why she'll win: Course knowledge, World No. 1 form, defending champion confidence, proven ability to perform under extreme pressure.
🥈 #2: Miyu Yamashita (Japan) - The Major Champion
Ranking: 2nd in CME Globe | Points: 2,772.26
2025 Season: 2 wins (including 1 major), 12 top-10 finishes in 24 events
Yamashita's season has been nothing short of spectacular. She's the only player besides Thitikul with multiple wins, and one of those victories came at the AIG Women's Open—a major championship. That experience of winning under the ultimate pressure is invaluable.
Her work rate is remarkable: 24 tournament appearances with 12 top-10s shows incredible consistency and stamina. She added the Maybank Championship to her resume in October, proving her form heading into the finale is excellent. The ability to perform week after week, tournament after tournament, demonstrates the physical and mental conditioning required to peak at the CME Championship.
As a major champion, Yamashita has proven she can handle the biggest stages. The AIG Women's Open victory in August came with all the pressure that accompanies a major championship. If she can win a major, a $4 million check shouldn't intimidate her.
Why she'll win: Major championship experience, excellent current form, proven winner's mentality, exceptional consistency all season.
🥉 #3: Minjee Lee (Australia) - The Proven Champion
Ranking: 3rd in CME Globe | Points: 2,639.96
2025 Season: 1 win (major), 8 top-10 finishes in 21 events
Minjee Lee brings an elite pedigree to Naples. Her KPMG Women's PGA Championship victory in June was her third career major title, cementing her status among the game's elite. She's a proven winner on the biggest stages—exactly the kind of player who thrives in high-stakes situations like the CME Championship.
At just 29 years old, Lee combines youth with experience. She's competed at the highest level for years, accumulating wins and contending regularly. Eight top-10s demonstrate she's consistently in position to win, and her major championship experience means she knows how to close.
Lee has finished in the top 10 at the CME Championship multiple times in previous years, showing she plays well at Tiburon Golf Club. Course history matters, especially in a no-cut event where everyone plays all four rounds.
Why she'll win: Major championship pedigree (3 majors), proven winner under pressure, excellent course history, prime career stage.
💔 #9: Nelly Korda (USA) - The Comeback Story
Ranking: 9th in CME Globe | Points: 1,727.19
2025 Season: 0 wins, 8 top-10 finishes in 18 events
Betting Odds: 10/1
Nelly Korda's 2025 season represents one of the most intriguing storylines in LPGA Tour history. After winning seven times in 2024 and being named Player of the Year, she enters the finale winless despite remaining one of the tour's best players.
The statistics tell a fascinating story. Korda ranks 3rd overall in Strokes Gained, 1st off the tee, and 4th tee-to-green. She's playing at an elite level—the wins simply haven't come. She's been close repeatedly: runner-up at the season-opening Tournament of Champions (lost by 2 to A Lim Kim), T2 at the U.S. Women's Open (2 back of Maja Stark), T4 at Lotte Championship.
Here's where it gets interesting: Korda has won at Tiburon Golf Club three times in the last four years (2021, 2022, 2024). She knows every blade of grass, every break on every green. The course fits her game perfectly, and her track record here is exceptional.
Recent form is encouraging. After withdrawing from the International Crown due to injury, she returned at The Annika and showed good form. Sometimes a player needs just one victory to breakthrough—and what better place than where she's historically dominant?
The narrative is irresistible: winless season, World No. 2, returning to her favorite course where she's won three of four, with $4 million on the line. If Korda is ever going to break through, this is the moment.
Why she'll win: Exceptional course history (3 wins in 4 years), statistical excellence, overdue for a win, proven clutch performer at this venue.
⚡ Other Top Contenders
Charley Hull (#14): The English star comes in with strong betting odds (14/1) despite playing only 14 events. When she plays, she competes—one win and four top-10s demonstrate quality over quantity. She's a streaky player capable of getting hot at the right moment.
Rio Takeda (#4): The Japanese star's consistent season (1 win, 8 top-10s) puts her in prime position. At 29 events played, she has the stamina and experience to perform in the season finale.
Lydia Ko (#26): The former World No. 1 and Olympic gold medalist has one win this season and carries a championship pedigree. She's won everywhere and could capture her first CME Championship.
Grace Kim (#29): Her Evian Championship victory—coming in playoff over Thitikul—showed she can win majors and beat the best. That confidence is invaluable.
Maja Stark (#40): The U.S. Women's Open champion has proven she can win majors. Her one-win season doesn't fully represent her capabilities.
✨ 2025 Season Highlights: A Year of Incredible Parity
🎯 Historic Parity
The 2025 LPGA Tour season will be remembered for unprecedented competitive balance. The first 26 tournaments produced 26 different winners—an LPGA Tour record that demonstrates the depth of talent on tour. This streak wasn't broken until Thitikul claimed her second victory at the Buick LPGA Shanghai in October.
Only two players won multiple times all season: Thitikul and Yamashita. Think about that—in 29 tournaments (excluding team events), only two players could win more than once. This level of parity is extraordinary and shows women's golf has never been more competitive.
🌸 Japan's Remarkable Rise
Japanese players dominated 2025, claiming six victories and placing six players in the top 13 of the CME Globe standings:
- Miyu Yamashita (#2): AIG Women's Open, Maybank Championship
- Rio Takeda (#4): Blue Bay LPGA
- Mao Saigo (#11): Chevron Championship (Major)
- Nasa Hataoka (#12): Toto Japan Classic
- Akie Iwai (#13): The Standard Portland Classic
- Chisato Iwai (#15): MEXICO Riviera Maya Open
This represents a seismic shift in women's golf. Japan has always produced excellent players, but six wins in a season demonstrates unprecedented depth and strength.
💰 Record Prize Money
The 2025 season featured a record $131 million in total prize money across 33 official events. This represents massive growth in women's golf's commercial value and demonstrates increasing investment in the women's game.
🏆 2025 Major Champions
Chevron Championship: Mao Saigo (Japan)
U.S. Women's Open: Maja Stark (Sweden)
KPMG Women's PGA Championship: Minjee Lee (Australia)
Amundi Evian Championship: Grace Kim (Australia)
AIG Women's Open: Miyu Yamashita (Japan)
Five different major champions from four different countries—further evidence of the tour's incredible depth and global reach.
🔮 Winner Predictions & Betting Guide
🥇 Top Choice: Jeeno Thitikul (6/1)
Everything points to Thitikul. She's the defending champion, World No. 1, CME Globe points leader, and one of only two multiple winners this season. Her 13 top-10 finishes demonstrate remarkable consistency, and she's proven she can win under extreme pressure with the Shanghai playoff victory. The course knowledge from last year's win is invaluable, and her current form is excellent. If she plays her normal game, she's very difficult to beat.
🥈 Second Choice: Nelly Korda (10/1)
The value play. Three wins in four years at this course can't be ignored. Yes, she's winless in 2025, but the statistics show she's still playing at an elite level. She's due for a breakthrough, and her favorite course hosting the season finale creates perfect conditions for redemption. The narrative of ending a winless season with a $4 million victory would be one of the year's best stories.
🥉 Third Choice: Miyu Yamashita & Minjee Lee
Both major champions with proven track records under pressure. Yamashita's current form is excellent (recent Maybank Championship win), while Lee's three career majors demonstrate her ability to perform when it matters most. Either could absolutely win—they have all the tools required.
🎯 Dark Horses
Charley Hull (14/1): Excellent odds for a player who competes at the highest level when she tees it up. Could get hot and post a number.
Grace Kim: Beat Thitikul in a playoff at a major (Evian). That experience and confidence could carry over.
Lydia Ko: Former World No. 1 and Olympic champion. Never count out class.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is the prize money so high at the CME Championship?
CME Group's massive sponsorship investment demonstrates commitment to growing women's golf. As the season finale featuring only the top 60 players, it's positioned as the "Super Bowl" of women's golf. The $4 million winner's check exceeds even major championship prizes, elevating the tournament's prestige and making it the most lucrative single event in women's golf history.
Q2. What makes Tiburon Golf Club special?
Designed by Greg Norman, the Gold Course at Tiburon Golf Club presents a championship test requiring strategic shot placement. Located in Naples, Florida, the course features firm, fast conditions typical of Florida golf. Wind is a major factor, making precise iron play essential. The layout rewards players who can think their way around the course, not just overpower it. Nelly Korda's success here (3 wins in 4 years) demonstrates how important course knowledge and comfort level are.
Q3. Can Nelly Korda win despite being winless in 2025?
Absolutely. Her statistics remain elite—3rd in total Strokes Gained, 1st off the tee. She's had multiple close calls (two runner-ups, several T4 finishes). Most importantly, she's won at this course three times in four years. Sometimes players just need the right venue at the right time, and Tiburon has proven to be Korda's happy place. The winless season might actually reduce pressure—she has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Q4. What was the most impressive performance of 2025?
Jeeno Thitikul's Buick LPGA Shanghai victory stands out. Trailing by four shots with five holes to play, she made three consecutive birdies, then eagled the 17th to force a playoff. After five playoff holes—including hitting in the water and recovering—she made the winning birdie putt. The mental strength to recover from the four-putt disaster at the Kroger Championship two weeks earlier makes it even more impressive. That's championship mentality.
Q5. How can I watch the tournament?
The CME Group Tour Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel in the United States. International viewers can watch via LPGA TV (streaming service) or check local listings. The LPGA's official website and YouTube channel will feature highlights and key moments. All four rounds will be televised, with expanded coverage for the weekend rounds. Tournament dates: November 20-23, 2025 (Wednesday-Saturday).
🏁 Final Thoughts
The 2025 CME Group Tour Championship represents the perfect conclusion to a historic season. With 26 different winners in the first 26 events, unprecedented prize money, and incredible global representation, this season has demonstrated women's golf is thriving like never before.
The storylines are compelling: Can Jeeno Thitikul defend her title and cap a dominant season? Will Nelly Korda end her winless drought on her favorite course? Can a major champion like Yamashita or Lee add the CME title to their resume? Or will a dark horse seize the moment and claim the $4 million prize?
Sixty of the world's best players will compete over four days for the richest prize in women's golf. There's no cut, meaning everyone plays all four rounds. The pressure will be immense, the competition fierce, and the reward life-changing.
The 2025 LPGA Tour season finale promises to deliver drama, excellence, and a worthy champion. Don't miss it.
🏷️ Related Tags
#CMEGroupTourChampionship #LPGATour2025 #JeenoThitikul #NellyKorda #WomensGolf #4MillionDollars #SeasonFinale #TiburonGolfClub #MiyuYamashita #MinjeeLee
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