Women's PGA Championship

(Redirected from Mazda LPGA Championship)

The Women's PGA Championship (branded as the KPMG Women's PGA Championship for sponsorship reasons) is a women's professional golf tournament. First held in 1955, it is one of five majors on the LPGA Tour. It is not recognized as a major by the Ladies European Tour, which does not recognize any of the three majors played in the United States.

Women's PGA Championship
Tournament information
LocationVaries - United States
Sammamish, Washington (2024)
Established1955, 69 years ago
Course(s)Sahalee Country Club
Par72 (2024)
Length6,731 yards (6,155 m) (2024)
Organized byPGA of America
(2015–present)
LPGA (1955–2014)
Tour(s)LPGA Tour
FormatStroke play – 72 holes
Prize fund$10.4 million (2024)[1]
Month playedJune
Tournament record score
Aggregate266 Kim Sei-young (2020)
To par−19 Nelly Korda (2021)
−19 Inbee Park (2015)
−19 Yani Tseng (2011)
−19 Cristie Kerr (2010)
Current champion
South Korea Amy Yang
2024 Women's PGA Championship
Sahalee Country Club is located in the United States
Sahalee Country Club
Sahalee Country Club
Sahalee Country Club is located in Washington (state)
Sahalee Country Club
Sahalee Country Club

Formerly known as the LPGA Championship, the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) announced in 2014 that the PGA of America would become a partner of the event, and that it would be renamed the Women's PGA Championship beginning in 2015—becoming a sister event to the men's PGA Championship (in a similar manner to the U.S. Women's Open being a sister event to the men's U.S. Open). The partnership included a new title sponsorship agreement with KPMG, an increase in purse, and a commitment by NBC to provide network television coverage of the weekend rounds.[2]

The PGA of America partnership also allowed the tournament to be held at various top courses around the United States. Previously, the LPGA Championship had been usually held at a consistent location each year, most recently near Rochester, New York as part of a title sponsorship agreement with Western New York–based supermarket chain Wegmans.

Professional-amateur controversy

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Prior to 2005, the LPGA Championship had a "professionals only" rule. This is similar to the men's PGA Championship, but contrasts with the U.S. and British Opens, which have long had both amateur and professional entrants through qualifying (henceforth the term "open"). Until its takeover by the PGA of America in 2015, the tournament was the LPGA's own event, and the LPGA was created specifically to provide opportunities for women in professional golf.

In 2005 this rule was revoked, effectively to allow 15-year-old amateur Michelle Wie to compete, in order to attract more media coverage and sell more tickets, though this was not publicly acknowledged by the LPGA. Some professionals objected to this move, as they felt that places given to amateurs would come at the expense of the LPGA Tour's less successful professionals, who need to play regularly to make a living. One of the leading professionals, Laura Davies, stated objections to the change were shortsighted.[3]

At the time, Wie had made the cut in all five majors that she had played, with two top-ten finishes, and had also played twice in the Sony Open in Hawaii on the PGA Tour, but missed both cuts. Despite the controversy, she outscored all but one of the pros in the 2005 LPGA Championship and was the runner-up, three strokes behind three-time champion Annika Sörenstam.

In 2006, the LPGA Championship reverted to its "professionals only" status, with only pros in the field.[citation needed] Wie had turned professional the previous October, upon signing multimillion-dollar endorsement contracts with Nike, Sony, and other sponsors.

Tournament names

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Tournament names through the years:

Years Tournament name
1955–1970 LPGA Championship
1971–1972 Eve-LPGA Championship
1973–1986 LPGA Championship
1987–1993 Mazda LPGA Championship
1994–2000 McDonald's LPGA Championship
2001–2003 McDonald's LPGA Championship presented by AIG
2004–2009 McDonald's LPGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola
2010 LPGA Championship presented by Wegmans
2011–2014 Wegmans LPGA Championship
2015– KPMG Women's PGA Championship

Winners

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Year Dates Champion Country Score To par Margin
of victory
Location Purse ($) Winner's
share ($)
2024 Jun 20–23 Amy Yang   South Korea 281 −7 3 strokes Sahalee Country Club 10,400,000 1,560,000
2023 Jun 22–25 Yin Ruoning   China 276 −8 1 stroke Baltusrol Golf Club 10,000,000 1,500,000
2022 Jun 23–26 Chun In-gee   South Korea 283 −5 1 stroke Congressional Country Club 9,000,000 1,350,000
2021 Jun 24–27 Nelly Korda   United States 269 −19 3 strokes Atlanta Athletic Club 4,500,000 675,000
2020 Oct 8–11 Kim Sei-young   South Korea 266 −14 5 strokes Aronimink Golf Club 4,300,000 645,000
2019 Jun 20–23 Hannah Green   Australia 279 −9 1 stroke Hazeltine National Golf Club 3,850,000 577,500
2018 Jun 28 – Jul 1 Park Sung-hyun   South Korea 278 −10 Playoff Kemper Lakes Golf Club 3,650,000 547,500
2017 Jun 29 – Jul 2 Danielle Kang   United States 271 −13 1 stroke Olympia Fields Country Club 3,500,000 525,000
2016 Jun 9–12 Brooke Henderson   Canada 278 −6 Playoff Sahalee Country Club 3,500,000 525,000
2015 Jun 11–14 Inbee Park (3)   South Korea 273 −19 5 strokes Westchester Country Club 3,500,000 525,000
2014 Aug 14–17 Inbee Park (2)   South Korea 277 −11 Playoff Monroe Golf Club 2,250,000 337,500
2013 Jun 6–9 Inbee Park   South Korea 283 −5 Playoff Locust Hill Country Club 2,250,000 337,500
2012 Jun 7–10 Shanshan Feng   China 282 −6 2 strokes Locust Hill Country Club 2,500,000 375,000
2011 Jun 23–26 Yani Tseng (2)   Taiwan 269 −19 10 strokes Locust Hill Country Club 2,500,000 375,000
2010 Jun 24–27 Cristie Kerr   United States 269 −19 12 strokes Locust Hill Country Club 2,250,000 337,500
2009 Jun 11–14 Anna Nordqvist   Sweden 273 −15 4 strokes Bulle Rock Golf Course 2,000,000 300,000
2008 Jun 5–8 Yani Tseng   Taiwan 276 −12 Playoff Bulle Rock Golf Course 2,000,000 300,000
2007 Jun 7–10 Suzann Pettersen   Norway 274 −14 1 stroke Bulle Rock Golf Course 2,000,000 300,000
2006 Jun 8–11 Se Ri Pak (3)   South Korea 280 −8 Playoff Bulle Rock Golf Course 1,800,000 270,000
2005 Jun 9–12 Annika Sörenstam (3)   Sweden 277 −11 3 strokes Bulle Rock Golf Course 1,800,000 270,000
2004 Jun 10–13 Annika Sörenstam (2)   Sweden 271 −17 3 strokes DuPont Country Club 1,600,000 240,000
2003 Jun 5–8 Annika Sörenstam   Sweden 278 −6 Playoff DuPont Country Club 1,600,000 240,000
2002 Jun 6–9 Se Ri Pak (2)   South Korea 279 −5 3 strokes DuPont Country Club 1,500,000 225,000
2001 Jun 21–24 Karrie Webb   Australia 270 −14 2 strokes DuPont Country Club 1,500,000 225,000
2000 Jun 22–25 Juli Inkster (2)   United States 281 −3 Playoff DuPont Country Club 1,400,000 210,000
1999 Jun 24–27 Juli Inkster   United States 268 −16 4 strokes DuPont Country Club 1,400,000 210,000
1998 May 14–17 Se Ri Pak   South Korea 273 −11 3 strokes DuPont Country Club 1,300,000 195,000
1997 May 15–18 Christa Johnson   United States 281 −3 Playoff DuPont Country Club 1,200,000 180,000
1996 May 10–12 Laura Davies (2)   England 213 E 1 stroke DuPont Country Club 1,200,000 180,000
1995 May 11–14 Kelly Robbins   United States 274 −10 1 stroke DuPont Country Club 1,200,000 180,000
1994 May 12–15 Laura Davies   England 279 −5 3 strokes DuPont Country Club 1,100,000 165,000
1993 Jun 10–13 Patty Sheehan (3)   United States 275 −9 1 stroke Bethesda Country Club 1,000,000 150,000
1992 May 14–17 Betsy King   United States 267 −17 11 strokes Bethesda Country Club 1,000,000 150,000
1991 Jun 27–30 Meg Mallon   United States 274 −10 1 stroke Bethesda Country Club 1,000,000 150,000
1990 Jul 26–29 Beth Daniel   United States 280 −4 1 stroke Bethesda Country Club 1,000,000 150,000
1989 May 18–21 Nancy Lopez (3)   United States 274 −14 3 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 500,000 75,000
1988 May 19–22 Sherri Turner   United States 281 −7 1 stroke Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 350,000 52,500
1987 May 21–24 Jane Geddes   United States 275 −13 1 stroke Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 350,000 52,000
1986 May 29 – Jun 1 Pat Bradley   United States 277 −11 1 stroke Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 300,000 45,000
1985 May 30 – Jun 2 Nancy Lopez (2)   United States 275 −15 8 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 250,000 37,500
1984 May 31 – Jun 3 Patty Sheehan (2)   United States 272 −16 10 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 250,000 37,500
1983 Jun 9–12 Patty Sheehan   United States 279 −9 2 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 200,000 30,000
1982 Jun 10–13 Jan Stephenson   Australia 279 −9 2 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 200,000 30,000
1981 Jun 11–14 Donna Caponi (2)   United States 280 −8 1 stroke Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 150,000 22,500
1980 Jun 5–8 Sally Little   South Africa 285 −3 3 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 150,000 22,500
1979 Jun 7–10 Donna Caponi   United States 279 −9 3 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 150,000 22,500
1978 Jun 8–11 Nancy Lopez   United States 275 −13 6 strokes Jack Nicklaus Sports Center 150,000 22,500
1977 Jun 9–12 Chako Higuchi   Japan 279 −9 3 strokes Bay Tree Golf Plantation 150,000 22,500
1976 May 27–30 Betty Burfeindt   United States 287 −5 1 stroke Pine Ridge Golf Course 55,000 8,000
1975 May 29 – Jun 1 Kathy Whitworth (3)   United States 288 −4 1 stroke Pine Ridge Golf Course 55,000 8,000
1974 Jun 20–23 Sandra Haynie (2)   United States 287 −5 2 strokes Pleasant Valley Country Club 50,000 7,000
1973 Jun 7–10 Mary Mills (2)   United States 288 −4 1 stroke Pleasant Valley Country Club 35,000 5,250
1972 Jun 8–11 Kathy Ahern   United States 293 +1 6 strokes Pleasant Valley Country Club 50,000 7,500
1971 Jun 10–13 Kathy Whitworth (2)   United States 288 −4 4 strokes Pleasant Valley Country Club 53,000 7,950
1970 Jun 10–13 Shirley Englehorn   United States 285 −7 Playoff Pleasant Valley Country Club 30,000 4,500
1969 Jul 23–27 Betsy Rawls (2)   United States 293 +1 4 strokes Concord Golf Course 35,000 5,250
1968 Jun 20–23 Sandra Post   Canada 294 +2 Playoff Pleasant Valley Country Club 20,000 3,000
1967 Jul 13–16 Kathy Whitworth   United States 284 −8 1 stroke Pleasant Valley Country Club 17,500 2,625
1966 Sep 22–25 Gloria Ehret   United States 282 −2 3 strokes Stardust Country Club 17,500 2,475
1965 Sep 23–26 Sandra Haynie   United States 279 −5 1 stroke Stardust Country Club 17,500 2,475
1964 Oct 1–4 Mary Mills   United States 278 −6 2 strokes Stardust Country Club 16,500 2,450
1963 Oct 10–13 Mickey Wright (4)   United States 294 +10 2 strokes Stardust Country Club 16,500 2,450
1962 Oct 4–7 Judy Kimball   United States 282 −2 4 strokes Stardust Country Club 15,000 2,300
1961 Oct 12–15 Mickey Wright (3)   United States 287 +3 9 strokes Stardust Country Club 15,000 2,500
1960 Jul 1–4 Mickey Wright (2)   United States 292 −4 3 strokes Sheraton Hotel Country Club 8,500 1,500
1959 Jul 2–6 Betsy Rawls   United States 288 −8 1 stroke Sheraton Hotel Country Club 7,500 1,247
1958 Jun 5–8 Mickey Wright   United States 288 +8 6 strokes Churchill Valley Country Club 7,500 1,247
1957 Jun 6–9 Louise Suggs   United States 285 +5 3 strokes Churchill Valley Country Club 7,600 1,316
1956 Jun 21–24 Marlene Hagge   United States 291 −9 Playoff Forest Lake Country Club 6,500 1,350
1955 Jul 14–17 Beverly Hanson   United States 4 & 3 Orchard Ridge Country Club 6,000 1,200
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.

Source:[4]

Multiple champions

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Player Total Years
  Mickey Wright 4 1958, 1960, 1961, 1963
  Kathy Whitworth 3 1967, 1971, 1975
  Nancy Lopez 3 1978, 1985, 1989
  Patty Sheehan 3 1983, 1984, 1993
  Annika Sörenstam 3 2003, 2004, 2005
  Se Ri Pak 3 1998, 2002, 2006
  Inbee Park 3 2013, 2014, 2015
  Betsy Rawls 2 1959, 1969
  Mary Mills 2 1964, 1973
  Sandra Haynie 2 1965, 1974
  Donna Caponi 2 1979, 1981
  Laura Davies 2 1994, 1996
  Juli Inkster 2 1999, 2000
  Yani Tseng 2 2008, 2011
Career Grand Slam winners ‡

Source:[4]

The defending champion has retained the title on seven occasions, most recently in 2015:

  • 2015 – Inbee Park
  • 2014 – Inbee Park
  • 2005 – Annika Sörenstam
  • 2004 – Annika Sörenstam
  • 2000 – Juli Inkster
  • 1984 – Patty Sheehan
  • 1961 – Mickey Wright

Through 2022, three consecutive championships has been achieved only twice, by Sörenstam (2005) and Park (2015).

Sites by state

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State Times
hosted
First Last
Indiana 3 1955 1960
Michigan 1 1956 1956
Pennsylvania 3 1957 2020
Nevada 6 1961 1966
Massachusetts 7 1967 1974
New York 7 1969 2015
Maryland 12 1990 2022
South Carolina 1 1977 1977
Ohio 12 1978 1989
Delaware 11 1994 2004
Washington 2 2016 2024
Illinois 2 2017 2018
Minnesota 1 2019 2019
Georgia 1 2021 2021
New Jersey 1 2023 2023

Future sites

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Since the PGA of America took control of the tournament in 2015, venues will often bid for both a men's, women's, and seniors' PGA Championship together. Aronimink Golf Club, which hosted the men's in 1962 and seniors in 2003, was awarded a joint bid for the 2020 women's and 2027 men's. Congressional Country Club was awarded the 2025 seniors and both the 2022 and 2027 women's championships. Baltusrol Golf Club, which had hosted the 2005 and 2016 men's championships, was awarded the 2023 women's and 2029 men's championships together. The tournament will also be held at the PGA of America's new home in Frisco, Texas.

Year Edition Course Location Dates Hosted (W) Hosted (M/S)
2025 71st PGA Frisco Frisco, Texas TBD Never 2023 (S), 2027 (M), 2029 (S), 2034 (M)
2026 72nd Hazeltine National Golf Club Chaska, Minnesota 2019 2002 (M), 2009 (M)
2027 73rd Congressional Country Club[5] Bethesda, Maryland 2022 1976 (M), 2025 (S), 2030 (M)
2031 77th PGA Frisco Frisco, Texas 2025 2023 (S), 2027 (M), 2029 (S), 2034 (M)
M = denotes PGA Championship
S = denotes Senior PGA Championship

References

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  1. ^ "KPMG Women's PGA Championship Purse Increases to $10.4 Million". LPGA. June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Sirak, Ron. "LPGA joins forces with PGA of America, will rebrand the LPGA Championship the Women's PGA". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  3. ^ Dixon, Peter (June 14, 2005). "Wie provides the perfect response for her doubters". Times Online. Retrieved June 6, 2008.[dead link]
  4. ^ a b "KPMG Women's PGA Championship". LPGA. (Past Winners). Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "PGA to bring Ryder Cup, other top events to Congressional". ESPN. Associated Press. September 18, 2018.
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34°00′14″N 84°11′31″W / 34.0040°N 84.1919°W / 34.0040; -84.1919