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On November 16, 2025, Sweden's Linn Grant captured her second LPGA title with a commanding three-shot victory at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, finishing at 19-under par. The tournament served as the final opportunity for players to secure spots in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, resulting in dramatic swings in the Race to CME Globe standings. While Korean star Hae-Ran Ryu finished in a tie for seventh place, fellow countrywoman Ina Yoon and Jenny Shin narrowly missed qualification for the lucrative season finale, finishing 61st and 63rd respectively in the final CME Globe rankings.
2025 The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Final Results - Linn Grant Dominates, CME Championship Field Set
Tournament Overview and Highlights
The 31st event of the 2025 LPGA Tour season unfolded from November 13-16 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, with a total purse of $3.25 million and $487,500 going to the champion. As the penultimate event before the season finale, the stakes were extraordinarily high with players battling for positions inside the top 60 of the Race to CME Globe standings.
Linn Grant of Sweden delivered a masterclass performance, carding a final-round 65 to finish at 19-under par, three shots clear of Jennifer Kupcho. Grant's victory was highlighted by a remarkable streak of 52 consecutive bogey-free holes, starting from the first hole of Friday's second round until her inconsequential bogey on the 72nd hole when victory was already secured. The 26-year-old became the fourth Swedish winner on tour this season, joining Ingrid Lindblad, Madelene Sagstrom, and Maja Stark.
🏆 Linn Grant's Flawless Victory
Linn Grant became the first Swedish player to win The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, adding another chapter to her connection with tournament host and Swedish legend Annika Sorenstam. The victory marks Grant's second time receiving a trophy from Sorenstam, having previously won the Scandinavian Mixed in 2022 where she made history by beating male competitors by nine strokes.
Grant posted rounds of 68-63-65-65 to reach 19-under par 261, displaying consistent excellence throughout the tournament. Her second-round 63 tied for the lowest score of the week and propelled her into the solo lead. She maintained her position with steady 65s over the weekend, demonstrating the form that has made her one of the most promising young talents in women's golf.
"It's really full circle," said Grant after her victory. "I've been playing in her events since I was 13 or 14, meeting her pretty much every year since then, getting all her tips and tricks. It's so fun to obviously win anything, but to stand here with her tournament is extra special." With this win, Grant became the 29th different winner on the LPGA Tour in 2025, setting a new record for the most different champions in a single season.
📊 Final Leaderboard - Top 10 Finishers
| Position | Player | Country | Score | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Linn Grant | 🇸🇪 Sweden | -19 | $487,500 |
| 2nd | Jennifer Kupcho | 🇺🇸 USA | -16 | $303,994 |
| 3rd | Gaby Lopez | 🇲🇽 Mexico | -15 | $220,526 |
| T4 | Lucy Li | 🇺🇸 USA | -14 | $140,082 |
| T4 | Auston Kim | 🇺🇸 USA | -14 | $140,082 |
| T4 | Charley Hull | 🏴 England | -14 | $140,082 |
| T7 | Hae-Ran Ryu | 🇰🇷 Korea | -13 | $88,211 |
| T7 | Nataliya Guseva | 🇷🇺 Russia | -13 | $88,211 |
| T9 | Grace Kim | 🇦🇺 Australia | -12 | $70,735 |
| T9 | Brooke Matthews | 🇺🇸 USA | -12 | $70,735 |
💰 Jennifer Kupcho Claims $1 Million Aon Risk Reward Challenge
While Linn Grant celebrated her tournament victory, Jennifer Kupcho had her own reason to rejoice. The American secured the season-long Aon Risk Reward Challenge, earning an additional $1 million bonus on top of her second-place finish check of $303,994, bringing her total earnings from the week to $1,303,994.
Kupcho clinched the Aon title with key performances on the par-5 14th hole throughout the week, making a birdie on Thursday and an eagle on Friday that sealed her victory in the season-long competition. "I think I was stressing about it really all like the last three weeks," Kupcho admitted. "Really stressed about it obviously this week. But to be able to make an eagle, that was insane on Friday and pretty cool."
📈 Race to CME Globe: Final Standings and Dramatic Changes
Players Who Secured Their Spots
The final round at Pelican Golf Club produced several dramatic storylines as players battled to secure positions inside the critical top 60 of the Race to CME Globe standings. With the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship offering an $11 million purse and $4 million to the winner, every shot carried enormous weight.
| Player | Tournament Finish | Pre-Tournament Rank | Final CME Rank | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooke Matthews | T9 (-12) | 62nd | 59th | ↑ 3 |
| Nataliya Guseva | T7 (-13) | 64th | 57th | ↑ 7 |
| Lucy Li | T4 (-14) | 71st | 58th | ↑ 13 |
| Pajaree Anannarukarn | T56 (E) | 57th | 60th | ↓ 3 |
Players Who Missed the Cut
| Player | Tournament Finish | Pre-Tournament Rank | Final CME Rank | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenny Shin | T52 (-1) | 58th | 61st | Missed by 1 |
| Wei-Ling Hsu | MC | 59th | 62nd | Missed by 2 |
| Ina Yoon | T21 (-8) | 63rd | 63rd | Missed by 3 |
| Cassie Porter | T56 (E) | 60th | 64th | Missed by 4 |
🇰🇷 Korean Players' Final Standings
✅ Hae-Ran Ryu: T7 Finish Highlights Korean Performance
Hae-Ran Ryu was the standout performer among Korean players, finishing in a tie for seventh place at 13-under par to earn $88,211. Opening with a stellar 64 in the first round, Ryu maintained solid play throughout the week to secure a strong finish and comfortably hold her position in the CME Globe standings for next week's championship.
Ina Yoon: T21 Finish Falls Short of CME Dreams
Ina Yoon entered the week ranked 63rd in the CME Globe standings and needed a top-10 finish to have a realistic chance of breaking into the top 60. She finished in a tie for 21st at 8-under par, earning $34,319, but her final CME ranking remained at 63rd, three spots shy of qualification. Yoon posted rounds of 69-68-70-73, with weekend struggles ultimately costing her a chance at the lucrative season finale.
Complete Korean Players Results
| Position | Player | Score | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| T7 | Hae-Ran Ryu | -13 | $88,211 |
| T21 | Ina Yoon | -8 | $34,319 |
| T26 | In-Gee Chun | -7 | $29,459 |
| T29 | So-Mi Lee | -6 | $25,631 |
| T29 | Hye-Jin Choi | -6 | $25,631 |
| T38 | Hee-Young Yang | -3 | $15,761 |
| T48 | A-Lim Kim | -2 | $11,941 |
| T52 | Jenny Shin | -1 | $10,485 |
| T62 | Mi-Hyang Lee | +1 | $7,989 |
😢 Heartbreak for Korean Stars: Yoon and Shin Miss Season Finale
Ina Yoon: Three Spots Short
Despite making the cut and finishing in a respectable tie for 21st place, Ina Yoon's performance wasn't enough to crack the top 60. Entering the week at 63rd in the standings, she needed a much higher finish to leapfrog other competitors who were also fighting for their CME spots. A strong start with rounds of 69-68 gave her hope, but weekend rounds of 70-73 saw her slip down the leaderboard while others surged past her in the race for Naples.
Jenny Shin: Agonizingly Close at 61st
Perhaps the most painful near-miss belonged to Jenny Shin, who finished just one position outside the cutoff at 61st in the final CME Globe standings. The veteran Korean-American player made the cut but couldn't generate enough momentum on the weekend, finishing in a tie for 52nd at 1-under par. A single additional spot in the top 60 would have earned her entry into the season finale with its $11 million purse and guaranteed minimum payday of $55,000.
The cruel reality of professional golf was on full display as Pajaree Anannarukarn held onto 60th place by the slimmest of margins, leaving Shin, Yoon, and others to watch the season finale from home. For both Korean players, it's a disappointing end to their 2025 campaigns, though they'll look to build on this experience for the 2026 season.
🎭 Tournament Within the Tournament: Dramatic CME Qualifications
Brooke Matthews' Miracle: Hole-in-One Secures CME Spot
The most dramatic story of the week belonged to former Arkansas standout Brooke Matthews. Entering at 62nd in the CME standings, Matthews produced a final-round 65 that included both a hole-in-one and an eagle. The ace left her in shock: "I still can't believe it. I blacked out," Matthews told Golf Channel. "I can't wait to watch it on film because I still can't really remember it." Her tie for ninth place vaulted her to 59th in the standings, earning her first CME Championship appearance and a two-year lease on a Lamborghini.
Nataliya Guseva's Clutch Finish
Russian player Nataliya Guseva provided her own heroics, holing out with a gap wedge from 109 yards on the 72nd hole for birdie after laying up from a fairway bunker. That final-hole birdie gave her a closing 68 and secured her position at 57th in the CME standings, jumping seven spots from her pre-tournament 64th ranking. The clutch shot perfectly illustrated the pressure players faced knowing their seasons hung in the balance.
Lucy Li's 13-Spot Surge
Perhaps the most impressive week-long performance came from Lucy Li, who entered at 71st and needed a big week to have any chance. A fabulous approach shot on the 18th hole that set up a birdie finish capped her tie for fourth place, catapulting her 13 positions to 58th in the final standings. The 22-year-old's clutch performance under immense pressure showcased her mental fortitude and shot-making ability when it mattered most.
⭐ Defending Champion Nelly Korda Finishes T15
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, last year's tournament champion, struggled in the opening round but showcased her championship pedigree with a tournament-low 9-under 63 in the second round to surge into contention at tied for sixth. However, she couldn't maintain that momentum over the weekend, ultimately finishing in a tie for 15th at 9-under par.
Despite the modest finish, Korda has already secured the top position in the Race to CME Globe standings heading into next week's championship. She'll look to add an eighth victory of the season and claim the $4 million first prize at Tiburon Golf Club. The 2025 season has been remarkable for the LPGA Tour, producing 29 different winners, the most in tour history.
Korda remains focused on finishing her exceptional season on a high note: "I mean, I'm just proud of everything that I've overcome this year and everything that my team and I have accomplished, so no matter how I finish this week, I'm going to be proud of the season and how we all worked together. Finishing high is just going to be a cherry on top obviously."
🎯 Key Tournament Highlights
Linn Grant's Flawless Stretch
Grant's bogey-free stretch of 52 consecutive holes was the defining performance of the week. Her only blemish came on the 72nd hole when victory was already assured. The tournament-tying low round of 63 in the second round was particularly impressive, featuring a scorecard that included scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 across different holes. This level of consistency is rare even among tour winners and demonstrated Grant's complete control of her game throughout the week.
Matthews' Unforgettable Ace
Brooke Matthews' hole-in-one was more than just a memorable moment—it potentially changed her entire season. The ace, combined with an eagle later in the round, provided the boost she needed to vault into the top 60 and secure her first appearance at the lucrative season finale. In addition to the competitive opportunity, she won a two-year lease on a Lamborghini, making it a week she'll never forget regardless of what happens next week in Naples.
Kai Trump's LPGA Debut
Former President Donald Trump's granddaughter, Kai Trump, made her LPGA Tour debut as a sponsor's exemption. The 18-year-old struggled in her first professional event, posting 18-over par 158 to finish last among the 108-player field and missing the cut. While the result wasn't what she hoped for, the experience of competing against the world's best players will prove invaluable for the young golfer's development.
💳 Tour Card Battles: Top 100 Cutoff
Beyond the top 60 battle for CME Championship spots, another critical storyline involved players fighting to finish inside the top 100 of the CME Globe standings to retain full playing privileges for the 2026 season.
Alexa Pano entered the week sitting precariously at exactly 100th and made a clutch par save on the final hole to move up to 97th, safely securing her card for next season. Germany's Aline Krauter missed the cut but managed to hold onto 100th place to keep her full status.
Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum wasn't as fortunate, sliding three spots after her missed cut to finish 101st and losing her full playing privileges. The narrow margins between success and struggle on tour were on full display, with careers potentially altered by a single shot or a few hundred dollars in prize money.
🏁 Looking Ahead: CME Group Tour Championship Preview
The LPGA Tour now turns its attention to the season finale at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, from November 21-24. The CME Group Tour Championship features a massive $11 million purse with $4 million going to the winner—the largest first-place check in women's golf history.
Unlike the PGA Tour's FedExCup, the LPGA's season finale features no starting strokes or staggered scoring. All 60 qualifiers begin at even par, meaning anyone in the field can win regardless of their position in the season-long standings. This format creates maximum drama and gives every player a legitimate chance at the title and the life-changing prize money.
Among Korean players, Hae-Ran Ryu will carry momentum from her T7 finish into the championship, joined by In-Gee Chun, Hye-Jin Choi, So-Mi Lee, and others. While Nelly Korda sits atop the standings, players like Linn Grant, Jennifer Kupcho, Charley Hull, and Lydia Ko will all fancy their chances of capturing the season's biggest prize.
The finale promises high drama, exceptional golf, and a fitting conclusion to what has been a historic season featuring a record 29 different winners. With $4 million on the line for a four-day tournament, expect every player in the 60-player field to bring their absolute best to Tiburon Golf Club.
📈 Tournament Statistics
Total Purse
$3,250,000
Winner's Share
$487,500
Field Size
108 Players
Made Cut
Top 65 & Ties
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why did Ina Yoon miss the CME Championship despite finishing T21?
Ina Yoon entered the week ranked 63rd in the CME Globe standings and needed a much higher finish to move into the top 60. While her T21 finish earned valuable points, other players on the bubble had even better performances, causing Yoon to remain at 63rd in the final standings. She needed approximately a top-10 finish to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the season finale.
Q2. What is the Aon Risk Reward Challenge that Jennifer Kupcho won?
The Aon Risk Reward Challenge is a season-long competition where players accumulate scores on designated strategic holes (typically par-5s or long par-4s) at each tournament throughout the year. The player with the best cumulative average score on these holes across all events wins a $1 million bonus. Kupcho clinched the title with her birdie on Thursday and eagle on Friday on the par-5 14th hole at Pelican.
Q3. How does the CME Championship format work?
Unlike the PGA Tour's FedExCup playoff finale which uses starting strokes, the CME Group Tour Championship is a traditional stroke-play event with all 60 players starting at even par. This means anyone in the field can win the $4 million first prize regardless of their position in the season-long standings. The player who shoots the lowest total score over 72 holes wins both the tournament and is crowned the Race to CME Globe Champion.
Q4. What made Linn Grant's victory so dominant?
Grant's victory was defined by her remarkable bogey-free stretch of 52 consecutive holes from Friday's first hole through Sunday's 17th hole. She posted rounds of 68-63-65-65 to finish at 19-under par, with her second-round 63 tying for the tournament's lowest round. The only bogey she made all week came on the final hole when the tournament was already decided. This level of consistency and ball-striking excellence is rare even among tour winners.
Q5. What is significant about having 29 different winners in 2025?
The 2025 LPGA Tour season featured 29 different winners, setting a new tour record for the most individual champions in a single season. This demonstrates the exceptional depth of talent on the LPGA Tour and shows that competitive parity has never been higher. No single player or small group dominated the season, making it one of the most competitive years in tour history. Sweden alone produced four different winners: Ingrid Lindblad, Madelene Sagstrom, Maja Stark, and Linn Grant.
🎬 Conclusion
The 2025 Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican will be remembered for Linn Grant's dominant victory and the intense drama surrounding CME Championship qualification. Grant's 52-hole bogey-free streak and wire-to-wire performance over the final three rounds demonstrated the level of excellence required to win on the LPGA Tour.
The tournament within the tournament—the battle for the final CME Championship spots—provided compelling storylines throughout the week. Brooke Matthews' hole-in-one and subsequent leap into the top 60, Nataliya Guseva's clutch final-hole hole-out, and Lucy Li's 13-position surge all exemplified the pressure-packed nature of professional golf at its highest level. Meanwhile, Jenny Shin and Ina Yoon experienced the heartbreak of falling just short, missing the season finale by the narrowest of margins.
Jennifer Kupcho's $1 million Aon Risk Reward Challenge bonus added another layer of excitement to the week, while defending champion Nelly Korda's rally from a poor opening round to contention showcased her championship mettle even if victory eluded her this time.
As the tour heads to Naples for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, all eyes will be on the 60 qualifiers competing for the $4 million first prize and the title of Race to CME Globe Champion. With the 2025 season having produced a record 29 different winners, the stage is set for one final dramatic conclusion to a historic year in women's professional golf.
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