This has been the year of Lydia Ko.
But as good as she’s been, Inbee Park is standing right behind her, waiting to pounce.
There is a lot at stake beginning Thursday at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fl., the setting for the LPGA’s season finale — the CME Group Tour Championship.
Also on the line are Player of the Year, money leader and the Vare Trophy. The Vare is the LPGA’s equivalent of the PGA Tour’s Vardon Trophy that goes to the player with the lowest stroke average for the season.
This is also the richest event for the women. Last year Ko walked off with the $500,000 first place money and grabbed the $1 million bonus for winning the overall points title. That $1.5 million payday was the biggest ever in women’s golf.
So you can understand that these ladies are pretty excited about what lies in front of them starting Thursday.
If Ko defends, she probably wins everything. Could be the same scenario for Park. The wild card in the deal is Stacy Lewis. She’s still in the hunt but has to win to claim the title.
Ko comes in off two weeks rest and when she’s on, she’s virtually unbeatable.
She’s currently the world’s No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings with Park right on her heels. Lewis is third.
If Park wins, she goes back to No. 1 and wins everything.
They both know what’s on the line. It’s becoming quite a rivalry and the next episode plays out starting Thursday.
