CME Group Tour Championship Preview

Notably, 28 of the 29 different champions from this year are competing, including two-time 2025 winner and current World number one Jeeno Thitikul, as well as all five 2025 major winners, featuring Minjee Lee, the two-time Rolex ANNIKA Major Award winner. The field features the top 25 players in the world, ensuring an exciting four days of golf as play resumes on Thursday, November 20. Let’s examine the preview.

Jeeno Thitikul

Jeeno Thitikul is set to enter the event as the clear frontrunner for the title. Her impressive victory last year marked the first time she emerged victorious. As a 23-year-old Thai sensation, Jeeno Thitikul carries the favorite tag, particularly after reclaiming her position as the world’s top-ranked player in late August. This year, she has consistently showcased her winning pedigree, with two titles already secured. In May, she achieved a stunning victory at the Muziho Americans Open. She further cemented her reputation by winning the Buick Shanghai in a thrilling five-hole playoff against Minami Katsu.

Nelly Korda

Nelly Korda’s 2024 season was a career highlight, with seven LPGA titles secured. This achievement marked the first time a player had accomplished this feat since Yani Tseng in 2011. Korda was also the first American to achieve this since Daniel Beth in 1990. Her impressive performance included a notable five-tournament winning streak. However, the 27-year-old Korda is currently failing to replicate last year’s success, having gone winless this year and lost her number one ranking. To regain her winning form, Korda needs to reassess her strategy. She has a chance to finish the year on a positive note.

Miyu Yamashita

Miyu Yamashita is set to wrap up the season with the aim of preserving her impressive consistency throughout the year. This year, she has distinguished herself as one of only two players, including Jeeno Thitikul, to have won more than one title. With two titles to her name, she is enjoying one of the standout seasons of her career. Notably, she secured the Women’s Championship earlier in the year, which represents the most significant title of her fledgling career. Moreover, in early November, she triumphed at the Mybank Championship in a gripping contest, thus maintaining her outstanding form. As she heads into the finale, she has a legitimate opportunity to claim her first trophy, an achievement that is well within her grasp given her reputation as one of the tour’s most skilled golfers.

Minjee Lee

Minjee Lee’s consistency on the golf course is unparalleled. Her impressive record of top ten finishes in various events is a testament to her skill. Lee’s recent performances over the past two months have been outstanding. Despite a slow start, she finished tied for 14th place at the Roger Queen. Lee then went on to secure a third-place finish at the Buick Shanghai, where she narrowly lost out in the playoffs. Her top ten finish at the BMW Ladies Championship, where she secured the last spot, further underscores her exceptional form. The 29-year-old Australian is now focused on winning a title.

Prize Money

A total of $11 million is allocated for the prize money. The 2025 CME Group Tour Championship winner will be named the Race to the CME Globe Champion and receive $4 million, the largest single prize awarded in women’s golf. The runner-up will receive $1 million.

Past Winners

2024 – Jeeno Thitikul

2023 – Amy Yang

2022- Lydia Ko

2021 – Ko Jin-Yang

2020 – Ko Jin-Yang