Picture this: A nail-biting finale where the world’s top female golfers vie for a whopping $11 million prize purse, with the champion walking away with a life-changing $4 million check. The 2025 CME Group Tour Championship isn’t just another tournament—it’s the ultimate showdown that decides the LPGA Tour’s season leader. Intrigued? Let’s dive into the details that make this event a must-watch.
The LPGA Tour season builds to its dramatic climax at the CME Group Tour Championship, set against the picturesque backdrop of Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. With such a staggering $11 million total purse on the line—and $4 million awarded to the victor—it’s no wonder players are gearing up for their peak performances. As a beginner-friendly note, the LPGA Tour is the premier professional organization for women’s golf, hosting a series of events throughout the year where points are accumulated to determine the season’s top talent.
And this is the part most people miss: Unlike many tournaments, there are no cuts here, meaning all top 60 players from the points list get to compete right through to the end. This inclusive format ensures that even if you’re not the absolute best that day, your season-long consistency pays off. The winner doesn’t just claim the trophy and the hefty prize money; she also secures the title of Race to the CME Globe champion—think of it as the LPGA’s equivalent to a season MVP award. To clarify for newcomers, the Race to the CME Globe is a points-based system where players earn rankings throughout the year based on finishes, with the championship serving as the grand finale.
Adding to the excitement, the victor receives a two-year exemption on the LPGA Tour. In simpler terms, this means she gets priority entry into future events for two years, bypassing many qualification hurdles and allowing her to focus on competing rather than stressing about spots in fields. It’s like having a golden ticket to the golf world’s elite parties.
Leading the charge is Jeeno Thitikul, who sits atop both the world rankings and the season points list. This Thai sensation has dominated, proving her prowess on the global stage. Meanwhile, Nelly Korda—fresh off a remarkable seven-win season that vaulted her to world No. 2—finds herself in a surprising 9th place on the points list, despite her impressive haul of victories. But here’s where it gets controversial: How fair is it that a player with seven wins lags behind in points? Does the system reward consistency over sheer dominance, or is there room for debate on whether rankings should weigh wins more heavily?
To put this in perspective, imagine a basketball player averaging 20 points per game but not making the playoffs due to team losses—that’s a bit like Korda’s situation, sparking discussions on whether the LPGA’s points structure truly reflects a golfer’s impact. Some fans argue it’s equitable, rewarding steady performers, while others see it as a flaw that undervalues breakthrough seasons. What do you think? Is the emphasis on points a strength or a weakness of the tour?
On a broader note, the LPGA made headlines this week by unveiling its complete 2026 schedule (you can check it out here: https://www.si.com/golf/lpga-releases-2026-schedule-new-commissioner-vision-coming-to-fruition). This comes under new leadership, signaling exciting changes ahead for the sport’s future.
Now, without further ado, here’s the breakdown of payouts for the CME Group Tour Championship. These figures highlight how the prize money tapers down, ensuring that even players finishing farther back still earn a respectable sum—perfect for illustrating the tour’s commitment to rewarding a large field. Keep in mind, this list will be updated with final results come Sunday.
- 1st Place (Win): $4 million
- 2nd: $1 million
- 3rd: $550,000
- 4th: $350,000
- 5th: $260,000
- 6th: $195,000
- 7th: $155,000
- 8th: $136,000
- 9th: $120,000
- 10th: $113,500
- 11th: $107,000
- 12th: $101,000
- 13th: $96,000
- 14th: $91,000
- 15th: $88,000
- 16th: $86,000
- 17th: $84,500
- 18th: $83,000
- 19th: $81,500
- 20th: $80,000
- 21st: $79,000
- 22nd: $78,000
- 23rd: $77,000
- 24th: $76,000
- 25th: $75,000
- 26th: $74,000
- 27th: $73,000
- 28th: $72,000
- 29th: $71,000
- 30th: $70,000
- 31st: $69,250
- 32nd: $68,500
- 33rd: $67,750
- 34th: $67,000
- 35th: $66,250
- 36th: $65,500
- 37th: $64,750
- 38th: $64,000
- 39th: $63,250
- 40th: $62,500
- 41st: $62,000
- 42nd: $61,500
- 43rd: $61,000
- 44th: $60,500
- 45th: $60,000
- 46th: $59,500
- 47th: $59,000
- 48th: $58,500
- 49th: $58,000
- 50th: $57,500
- 51st: $57,250
- 52nd: $57,000
- 53rd: $56,750
- 54th: $56,500
- 55th: $55,250
- 56th: $55,000
- 57th: $54,750
- 58th: $54,500
- 59th: $54,250
- 60th: $54,000
Published 39 Minutes Ago
JEFF RITTER (https://www.si.com/author/jeff-ritter)
Jeff Ritter serves as the managing director of SI Golf, bringing over two decades of experience in sports media to the role. He previously held the position of general manager at The Morning Read, where he drove significant business expansion before transitioning to Sports Illustrated through an acquisition in 2022. Ritter’s early career spanned more than a decade at SI and Golf Magazine, earning him accolades such as a MIN Magazine Award and an Edward R. Murrow Award for his sports reporting excellence. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
What are your thoughts on this year’s championship? Do you agree that the points system needs tweaking to better honor big winners like Korda, or is it a fair way to crown a champion? Share your opinions in the comments below—let’s spark a lively discussion!