LPGA expansion focuses on purses and routing
The LPGA announced a 2027 schedule featuring a record $147 million total purse and a 12,000-mile reduction in travel. New developments include the inaugural Futu Ladies World Championship in Hong Kong and increased prize parity through global partnerships.
The 2027 schedule shifts
The LPGA announced a 2027 schedule with a $147 million total purse. This amount is a $10 million increase from the 2026 season and is the largest prize fund in history. The new schedule also reduces total travel by 12,000 miles to 61,000 miles. Players in Boston applauded the more efficient routing during the FM Championship. The 33 events have a February start at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and back-to-back Hawaiian competitions in March. The tour moves the Lotte Championship from October to March to accommodate these venues. These stops include Nanea Golf Club and The Plantation Course in Kapalua. The tour also adds the inaugural Futu Ladies World Championship at Clearwater Bay in Hong Kong. The 2027 season includes the Chevron Championship at Memorial Park, the U.S. Women’s Open at Inverness Golf Club, and the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal St. George’s. The tour travels to 11 countries and 13 U.S. states throughout the year. The tour also returns to Corning, New York, for The Classic in May, which has a $5 million purse.
| 2027 Schedule Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Season Purse | $147 million |
| Total Number of Events | 33 |
| Annual Travel Distance | 61,000 miles |
| Largest Non-Major Purse | $5 million |
Korda and the Asian swing
Nelly Korda leads the 2026 Rolex Player of the Year race and the Vare Trophy race. Korda won four events this season, including the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the Chevron Championship, and the Riviera Maya Open. She skips the four-week fall Asian swing to avoid injury and prioritize rest. This swing includes the Buick LPGA Shanghai, the BMW Ladies Championship, the Maybank Championship, and the Toto Japan Classic. While Korda leads the Rolex Rankings, Kim Hyo-joo secured her ninth title at the Ford Championship in Arizona. Kim Hyo-joo shot a 28-under-par 260 total to win the $2.25 million purse and beat Korda by one shot. Korda won her last two events by five and four shots, respectively. Kim Hyo-joo set an LPGA 54-hole tournament record of 25 under on Saturday. The 18-time winner previously skipped the JM Eagle LA Championship to avoid a redeye and get practice time before storms. Jeeno Thitikul also has four wins this season. You must watch how the leaderboard shifts when the top players skip these international stretches. Will the absence of the world number one impact the television ratings for the October events in China and Malaysia?
Global partnerships and prize parity
The tour increases prize money through new partnerships and upgraded venues. The Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas carries a $4 million purse and works with the Ladies European Tour and Golf Saudi as part of the PIF Global Series. This 120-player event marks the first tournament on a U.S. tour with backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The tournament at Shadow Creek has previously hosted the T-Mobile Match Play since 2021. The tour also returns to Corning, New York, for The Classic in May. This event carries a $5 million purse, which is one of the largest non-major prizes. The JM Eagle LA Championship also carries a $4.75 million purse at Wilshire Country Club. The FM Championship in Massachusetts provides $4.7 million. The tour provides missed-cut money for 10 events and travel expenses for 20 events. However, the summer majors remain crammed into a tight six-week window.
