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FILE - PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp speaks before a practice round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

PGA Tour has fewer cards and smaller fields. But the big changes are still to come

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 6 minute read 9:34 AM CST

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Sunday at Sea Island was supposed to be looked upon as doomsday for so many PGA Tour players who left the final event of the PGA Tour season without a full card.

This was the year the tour eliminated 25 cards, lowering the bar to No. 100 in the FedEx Cup standings to retain full status for 2026. The developmental Korn Ferry Tour offered only 20 cards to the big leagues, down from 30 cards the previous year. The fields will be smaller next year.

It just didn't feel like the end, perhaps because the next chapter remains so uncertain.

Lee Hodges had a 10-foot birdie putt he missed on the final hole that would have moved him into the top 100. Ricky Castillo thought he got it done with a closing 62, only for Max McGreevy to make a 30-footer birdie putt on the last hole that knocked him out.

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Kuchar trying to decide if it’s worth using a career money exemption for a full PGA Tour card

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 8 minute read Preview

Kuchar trying to decide if it’s worth using a career money exemption for a full PGA Tour card

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 8 minute read Updated: 12:20 PM CST

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Matt Kuchar finished his 19th consecutive season on the PGA Tour and ended it at No. 118 in the FedEx Cup, which would have been enough to keep his full card any year but this one, with the tour dropping the cutoff to the top 100 instead of the top 125.

The next step for the 47-year-old Kuchar would seem to be taking one of his exemptions for career money, only it's not that simple.

This is a different PGA Tour from when he first joined in 2002. There are eight signature events, four majors, The Players Championship and three FedEx Cup playoff events. Kuchar goes into 2026 not eligible for any of them.

“I don't know how many starts I'll get,” Kuchar said after he finished at the RSM Classic. “I don't know if using an exemption will get me any different starts. It's a tricky one. It's not going to get you into any elevated events."

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Updated: 12:20 PM CST

FILE -Matt Kuchar hits off the ninth tee during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
FILE -Matt Kuchar hits off the ninth tee during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Thitikul wins $4 million LPGA prize again. Valimaki becomes Finland’s first PGA Tour winner

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Thitikul wins $4 million LPGA prize again. Valimaki becomes Finland’s first PGA Tour winner

The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand capped off her best year with the biggest cash prize in women’s golf, holding off an early challenge from Pajaree Anannarukarn and closing with a 4-under 68 to win the CME Group Tour Championship by four shots Sunday for another $4 million payoff.

Thitikul won for the third time this year on the LPGA Tour, and one last birdie on the final hole at Tiburon Golf Club gave her the lowest scoring average in tour history.

This was never really in doubt when Thitikul started with a six-shot lead over Nelly Korda, the American she replaced at No. 1 in the women’s world ranking this year.

Anannarukarn made it a game, however, with five birdies in seven holes to pull within two shots going to the back nine. Thitikul birdied the 10th and 13th holes and restored her lead to five shots.

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Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand holds the CME Global Trophy for winning the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand holds the CME Global Trophy for winning the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Sami Valimaki holds on for 1st PGA Tour title on final day of close calls for keeping cards

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Sami Valimaki holds on for 1st PGA Tour title on final day of close calls for keeping cards

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Sami Valimaki became Finland's first PGA Tour winner on Sunday when he closed with a 4-under 66 for a one-shot victory in the RSM Classic, the final event of the year, which saw hopes rise and fall over the final hour at Sea Island.

Valimaki, who had two runner-up finishes over the past two seasons, used putter from below the green on the 16th and then holed an 18-foot putt putt. He was steady over the closing holes even as the wind abruptly changed direction with a little more force late in the day.

Far more dramatic was everything going on in front of him.

The top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings — down from 125 players in previous years — have full PGA Tour cards for a 2026 season when the fields will be smaller.

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Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

Sami Valimaki celebrates on the 18th green during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Sami Valimaki celebrates on the 18th green during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Thitikul wins another $4 million payoff and caps big year at Tour Championship

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Thitikul wins another $4 million payoff and caps big year at Tour Championship

The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Jeeno Thitikul capped off her best year with the biggest payoff in women's golf, along with her place in the LPGA record book with the lowest scoring average in the tour's 75-year history.

As easy as she made it look Sunday with a four-shot victory in the CME Group Tour Championship, she has memories of the road not always being so smooth.

There was that four-putt finish to lose the Kroger Queen City Championship two months ago.

“I have the ice pack put in my eyes because I cried so bad,” she said.

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Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand gesture on the seventh green during the final round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand gesture on the seventh green during the final round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Jeeno Thitikul wins the CME Group Tour Championship and its $4 million prize, the biggest in women’s golf

The Associated Press 1 minute read Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Jeeno Thitikul wins the CME Group Tour Championship and its $4 million prize, the biggest in women's golf.

Jeeno Thitikul pulls away and leads Nelly Korda by 6 in LPGA finale

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Jeeno Thitikul pulls away and leads Nelly Korda by 6 in LPGA finale

The Associated Press 4 minute read Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Jeeno Thitikul made nine birdies for the second straight day, this time giving her an 8-under 64 that allowed the Thai star to pull away Saturday and build a six-shot lead going into the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship.

Thitikul, the No. 1 player in women's golf, is one round away from sweeping all the awards on the LPGA Tour, along with the $4 million check for winning.

She has all but clinched LPGA player of the year and the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average, and could set an LPGA record depending on her closing round.

Nelly Korda shot a 65 and still lost ground. She was six shots behind, along with Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand, who also shot 65 on another warm, relatively calm day at Tiburon Golf Club.

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Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand waves as she approaches the 18th green during the third round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand waves as she approaches the 18th green during the third round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Sami Valimaki takes a 2-shot lead at Sea Island with a shot at his first PGA Tour title

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Sami Valimaki takes a 2-shot lead at Sea Island with a shot at his first PGA Tour title

The Associated Press 3 minute read Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Sami Valimaki of Finland ran off four straight birdies to close out the front nine on his way to a 5-under 65 that gave him a two-shot lead Saturday in the RSM Classic going into the final round of the final event of the PGA Tour season.

So much of this season finale at Sea Island is about the last chance to retain a full PGA Tour card for next year. Now it has turned into a chance for players to get their first PGA Tour title.

Valimaki was at 19-under 193 and was two ahead of Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers, each with a 68 and both Stanford alumni a generation apart.

Rodgers was the No. 1 amateur in the world when he left Stanford in 2014. Thorbjornsen was No. 1 in the PGA Tour University ranking when he finished college in 2024.

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Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Sami Valimaki waits to putt on the 11th green during the third round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Sami Valimaki waits to putt on the 11th green during the third round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Former US Amateur champion Ballester wins in Saudi and 2 players advance to LIV Golf

The Associated Press 2 minute read Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Former U.S. Amateur champion Josele Ballester closed with a 6-under 65 for a three-shot victory Saturday in the Saudi International for his first professional victory.

It was the final event of the International Series on the Asian Tour. Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and Yosuki Asaji of Japan finished atop the rankings to earn the two spots on LIV Golf for next year.

Vincent was part of LIV Golf in 2024 but finished 50th in the standings and was relegated out of the Saudi-funded league.

Ballester, who played his college golf at Arizona State, joined the Fireballs team on LIV Golf last summer. He had two top-10 finishes in his six starts.

Thitikul nearly flawless for a 63 to build 3-shot lead in LPGA season finale

The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Thitikul nearly flawless for a 63 to build 3-shot lead in LPGA season finale

The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Jeeno Thitikul putted for birdie on every hole Friday in a performance worthy of the No. 1 player in women's golf, giving her a 9-under 63 for a three-shot lead in the CME Group Tour Championship as the Thai star closes in on another $4 million payoff and LPGA player of the year.

Nelly Korda, whom Thitikul replaced atop the world ranking earlier this year, saw enough putts drop for a 64 that put her atop the leaderboard about the time Thitikul was starting.

She wound up five shots behind, at least in the mix to win for the first time this year.

Thitikul made it hard on everyone, running off four straight birdies around the turn and six birdies in an eight hole stretch. She played alongside Sei Young Kim, who did her best to keep pace and made six birdies on the back nine of Tiburon Golf Club to post a 66.

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand shows her ball after making a birdie putt on the 17th hole during the second round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand shows her ball after making a birdie putt on the 17th hole during the second round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Andrew Novak takes the lead at Sea Island as others try to stay in the game to keep cards

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Andrew Novak takes the lead at Sea Island as others try to stay in the game to keep cards

The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Andrew Novak took advantage of more benign weather Friday and the absence of the pressure facing so many others in the PGA Tour's season finale. He had a 7-under 65 on the Plantation Course at Sea Island to take a one-shot lead into the weekend.

Novak has gone three months without competition dating to the Tour Championship, the culmination of a breakthrough year. His wife gave birth to their first child two weeks ago. And then he went 61-65 to lead over Stanford alums Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers.

But the real focus was far down the leaderboard at the cut line, so critical in the final event with players having to be among the top 100 in the FedEx Cup to keep full status for next year.

Beau Hossler is at No. 103 and making the cut was his only hope. He hit a tough chip to set up birdie on the par-5 eighth at the Plantation, and then got up-and-down from a bunker on his final hole at No. 9 for a 67 to make the cut on the number.

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Andrew Novak lines up a putt on the nineth green during the second round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Andrew Novak lines up a putt on the nineth green during the second round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Somi Lee leads LPGA Tour finale and Jeeno Thitikul takes big step toward player of the year

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Somi Lee leads LPGA Tour finale and Jeeno Thitikul takes big step toward player of the year

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Somi Lee decided to change her putting grip to be like Lydia Ko and it paid off in a big way Thursday in the CME Group Tour Championship, where the South Korean opened with an 8-under 64 for a two-shot lead in the chase for a $4 million payoff.

Lee began to pull away when she went down one club to a 5-iron because of the warm conditions and set up an eagle on the par-5 17th. Her only lapse was a long three-putt bogey on the closing hole at Tiburon Golf Club.

Even so, she was two shots clear of former U.S. Women's Open champion Allisen Corpuz.

Jeeno Thitikul, the No. 1 player and front-runner for LPGA player of the year, had six birdies in her round of 67, tied with three other players. Thitikul won the Tour Championship last year, and will win the points-based player of the year unless Miyu Yamashita of Japan wins this tournament.

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Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

Somi Lee of Korea smiles at the end of the first round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Somi Lee of Korea smiles at the end of the first round of the LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Doug Ghim ties course record with a 60 at Sea Island in big step toward keeping PGA Tour card

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Doug Ghim ties course record with a 60 at Sea Island in big step toward keeping PGA Tour card

The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Doug Ghim narrowly missed a putt for 59 on a calm day of low scoring Thursday. He settled for a share of the course record on the Seaside course at Sea Island, posting a 10-under 60 at the RSM Classic for a big step toward keeping his PGA Tour card.

Davis Thompson, the son of tournament director Todd Thompson, and Rico Hoey also were 10 under, each with a 62 at the Plantation course used for the opening two rounds.

Andrew Putnam was in range of a sub-60 round until he closed with two pars for a 9-under 61 on the Seaside course. Joining him at 9-under 61 was Andrew Novak, playing for the first time since the Tour Championship in late August and the first time since becoming a father.

Ben Silverman  of Thornhill, Ont., was the top Canadian at 8 under.Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., were at 5 under while Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., opened at 1 under.

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Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

Davis Love III walks on first green during the first round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Davis Love III walks on first green during the first round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Nelly Korda can change perception of her year in one tournament at LPGA

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Nelly Korda can change perception of her year in one tournament at LPGA

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — The stakes are so high at the CME Group Tour Championship that whoever wins will make more in one week than any player in the 30 tournaments leading up to the LPGA's season finale.

The $11 million prize fund is second only to the U.S. Women's Open ($12 million) on the LPGA Tour. But the $4 million that goes to the winner makes it the richest in women's golf, and third in all of golf behind the men's Tour Championship ($10 million) and The Players Championship ($4.5 million).

More than money is at stake for Nelly Korda.

She could become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2010 to go from winning seven times one year to no victories the next year.

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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Nelly Korda tees off on from the second hole during the final round of The Annika LPGA golf tournament in Belleair, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr.)
Nelly Korda tees off on from the second hole during the final round of The Annika LPGA golf tournament in Belleair, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr.)

New commissioner Kessler lays out 2026 schedule and a plan to get LPGA on the right path

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

New commissioner Kessler lays out 2026 schedule and a plan to get LPGA on the right path

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — LPGA Tour Commissioner Craig Kessler introduced a “flywheel” and spoke of his “Venn diagram” on Wednesday in releasing a 2026 schedule and plotting a road map for how the tour can seize on the surge in women's sports.

The LPGA schedule has 31 official tournaments with a record prize fund of just over $128.5 million. Fourteen tournaments raised their purses, anywhere from $100,000 to $2 million.

The LPGA also has co-sanctioned a Ladies European Tour event funded by Golf Saudi. The Aramco Series at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas replaces the Match Play, and the purse goes from $2 million to $4 million. Kessler did not rule out more tournaments from the Aramco Series.

“When you start a partnership it's important to come out of the gates strong,” Kessler said ahead of the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. “And if you execute well, it opens up the possibility for lots of amazing things to happen. It's no different here.”

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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Defending tournament champion Nelly Korda follows her tee shot on the second hole during a pro-am for The Annika LPGA golf tournament, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Belleair, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Defending tournament champion Nelly Korda follows her tee shot on the second hole during a pro-am for The Annika LPGA golf tournament, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Belleair, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Victor Perez of France leaves PGA Tour for LIV Golf

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Victor Perez of France leaves PGA Tour for LIV Golf

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Victor Perez of France is the first player this year to leave the PGA Tour for Saudi-funded LIV Golf, with the league announcing on Tuesday he will be joining the Cleeks.

Perez had joint membership on the PGA Tour and European tour with three European tour titles. He played only the French Open this year among tournaments that were not on the PGA Tour schedule. His best finish was a tie for ninth in the RBC Canadian Open.

He replaces Frederik Kjettrup, who was relegated out of LIV Golf by not finishing in the top 48 on the points list.

Perez, who is No. 108 in the FedEx Cup and was in danger of losing his card, withdrew from the RSM Classic on Tuesday.

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Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

FILE - Victor Perez, of France, lines up a putt on the first hole during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club, June 14, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - Victor Perez, of France, lines up a putt on the first hole during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club, June 14, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

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