Ten Australasians tackle KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
The KPMG carries a purse of US$12 million – image PGA of America
The LPGA Tour will play the third of its five annual major championships when the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship gets underway in Frisco in Texas, where nine Australians and one New Zealander tee it up at the Fields Ranch East layout, the now home of the PGA of America organization.
The golf course was designed by Gil Hanse, who was the man responsible for the redo of last week’s US Open layout at Oakmont.
LPGA Tour rookie Cassie Porter is the only debutante in the event amongst the ten Australasians with Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Stephanie Kyriacou, Grace Kim, Gabi Ruffels, Hira Naveed, Karis Davidson and Robyn Choi completing the list.
Lydia Ko is the highest ranked on the Rolex Rankings, currently in 3rd place behind Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, but former winner, Hannah Green, is currently 8th in world ranking, while former world number two Minjee Lee is currently at her lowest ranking (24) for several years.
Lee bases herself nearby and feels that having played the course a few times now might be an advantage.
“I base myself here so it’s a little bit like a home game for me,” said Lee who has yet to win this season although has been runner-up It would be extra special I think especially my mom is here this week, couple of my friends will be coming out and some close friends, too. So, I had a couple of early looks before I arrived at the venue, so I already knew what the course’s layout was going to look like.
“In terms of this week, I played the pro-am yesterday, 18 holes, so saw the whole thing. It’s been a good week so far.”
“Yeah, it would be pretty awesome if I could get it done this week.”
After what had been a very good start to the 2025 season, Lydia Ko’s form has dropped away somewhat, with no top tens in her past four starts after winning earlier in the season. The New Zealander is playing her 13th KPMG PGA Championship, but she has not played the event well in recent years, with a best of 46th in her last four starts.
Hannah Green is the only one of the ten to have tasted success in the event having won in 2019. She is one of three Australians to have won the title with Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson, the other two.
Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim are perhaps the best chance of the others, but it would appear any possible chance of an Australasian victory could come from Ko, Lee or Green.
The tournament carries an equal record LPGA Tour purse of US$12 million.
