LPGA returns with record prize money

The LPGA launches its 71st season on Thursday with plans for a 34-event global campaign paying a record $76.45 million in prize money.

A field of 25 women will gather with celebrities for the LPGA Tournament of Champions at Four Seasons in Orlando, Florida, to begin the 2021 campaign after a 2020 season that endured a five-month shutdown due to COVID-19.

The Tournament of Champions, modified this year to include event winners from the past three years due to the pandemic, will see Mexico’s Gaby Lopez try to defend her title after a 25-foot birdie playoff on the seventh extra hole brought her the 2020 title.

Full-field events begin in February with the Asian swing delayed until April and May after the year’s first major, the ANA Inspiration at Rancho Mirage, California, on April 1-4.

The schedule also features a new match-play event in May, the US Women’s Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco (June 10-13) and the Women’s PGA Championship in Georgia (June 24-27).

The Tokyo Olympics tournament will be staged Aug 4-7 between two LPGA majors, the July 22-25 Evian Championship in France and the Women’s British Open at Carnoustie Aug 19-22.

The Solheim Cup matches between Europe and the United States will be staged at Inverness in Toledo, Ohio, on Sept 4-6, with the season ending at the Tour Championship on Nov 18-21.

“We’re entering 2021 on a wave of momentum — a strong schedule with record purses, new events/sponsors, double-digit viewership growth and a talented team that demonstrated exceptional skill, resilience and capability to lead through challenging times,” said LPGA commissioner Mike Whan.