After the 2020 LPGA season was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 18 tournaments and limited majors, the 2021 season roared right back and didn’t disappoint. In total, 29 tournaments were played, plus all five majors and the Olympics. Now, the tour is set to begin another big year.
Sure, we won’t get the Olympics or the Solheim Cup this year. But the 2022 LPGA season is stacked with 34 official events and another year of record-setting purses and playing opportunities.
This week, everything kicks off at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. With stars like Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie West, Danielle Kang, Brooke Henderson and many more in attendance, the season opener will include a $1.5 million purse and 50 celebrities — including Annika Sorenstam — competing for a $2 million purse.
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If you’re still unsure if this season will top last season, here are five things to watch for this year on the LPGA Tour:
Nelly Korda
Look, it’s no surprise that the first thing we’re looking forward to about the 2022 season is Nelly Korda. If it felt like the 2021 season was the Nelly Korda show, it’s because it was the Nelly Korda show.
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A year ago, the 23-year-old Korda won four times, including her first major championship title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Korda then showed up in Tokyo for her first Olympics appearance and proved why she is the No. 1 player in the world, taking home the gold medal.
“Safe to say I really enjoyed my first Olympic experience,” Korda said after standing on the podium.
This past year, Korda became the first American woman to reach No. 1 since Stacy Lewis in 2014. She starts this year at No. 1, a spot she’s held since June. The run of 28 total weeks tops the 25 weeks in which Lewis was No. 1 over the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
The best part about this potential sequel to Korda’s standout 2021 season? Last year, she fell short when it came to claiming the Rolex Player of the Year honor, which Jin Young Ko won. So, there’s one thing that Korda couldn’t bring home last year. But with a full season ahead, the future looks even brighter for the younger Korda sister.</…….
