Annika Driven by the Gainbridge preview

Rory McIlroy, the current leader of the Race to Dubai Rankings, is set to compete at Jumeirah Golf Estates, seeking his seventh Harry Vardon Trophy and fourth consecutive title.

This prominent event offers golfers a chance to qualify for the Tour Championship, the season’s grand finale. While World No 1 Jeeno Thitikul will miss the event for the second consecutive year, the field still boasts an impressive lineup, including five top 10 players globally. Let’s dive into the preview.

Nelly Korda

Nelly Korda is poised to make her highly anticipated return to competition for the first time since early October, with the goal of not only defending her title at Pelican Golf Club but also making a late-season push for her first victory of the season. Korda has enjoyed unparalleled success at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, boasting three victories at Pelican Golf Club in 2021, 2022, and 2024. In the previous season, Korda secured her seventh victory of the year with a three-stroke win over Weiwei Zhang, Jin Hee Im, and Charley Hull. Following a tie for fourth in her last start at the LOTTE Championship, Korda withdrew from the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown, where she was slated to represent the U.S. Team. This season, Korda has demonstrated consistency, recording eight top-10 finishes.

Miyu Yamashita

Miyu Yamashita is experiencing a remarkable season. The 24-year-old Japanese golfer will be seeking to sustain her exceptional form as she makes her tournament debut this week at Pelican Golf Club. She is entering the tournament immediately after narrowly missing out on the Toto Classic Japan title last weekend. Yamashita ultimately finished third, having maintained a substantial lead for a considerable duration. The LPGA Tour rookie has achieved a major title at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club and secured a second victory this season in a playoff against Hye-Jin Choi and Hannah Green at the Maybank Championship. In addition to her two victories, Yamashita has recorded 10 other top 10 finishes this season.

Hannah Green

The 2024 tour season was a highlight for Hannah Green, as she secured three titles and consistently delivered impressive performances. However, the 28-year-old Australian encountered difficulties in replicating this success in the first half of the current season, managing six cuts and four top 15 finishes across the initial 17 tournaments. Nevertheless, Green’s form began to recover at the Mybank Championship, where she finished tied for second place. This result is anticipated to provide a confidence boost as she prepares to compete in a tournament with a favorable record. Green has historically performed well at Pelican Golf Club, achieving two top-five finishes in her last two starts and securing a career-best tied fourth-place finish in 2022.

Lexi Thompson

Given Lexi Thompson’s outstanding performance history in the tournament, she is a strong contender for the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge title. The 30-year-old American boasts an impressive record, having finished second twice, in 2021 and 2022. To compete effectively against the best golfers, Thompson must be at her best. This season, she has participated in a limited number of events, which may negatively impact her chances. Nevertheless, her most notable achievement this season has been a fourth-place finish at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June in Michigan. The tournament offers Thompson an opportunity to reverse her fortunes and conclude the year positively.

Prize Money

The competition’s total prize money is $3.25 million, and the winner will receive $487,500.

Past winners

2024: Nelly Korda

2023: Lilia Vu

2022: Nelly Korda

2021: Nelly Korda

2020: Sei Young Kim