Yamashita Claims Vare Trophy as Korda Falls Short
Miyu Yamashita becomes eligible for the LPGA Vare Trophy after Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu are ruled ineligible under the tour's round-count rules.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Golf
Miyu Yamashita finished the 2026 season with a 69.47 scoring average over 78 rounds, making her eligible to claim the LPGA Vare Trophy after Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu were ruled ineligible. Korda also fell two points short of the 27 required for LPGA Hall of Fame induction.
Why it matters
The LPGA's eligibility rules require a minimum number of rounds, and Korda's limited schedule left her short while Ryu's injury cost her one round. The outcome determines who receives the tour's scoring-average award and affects Hall of Fame standings.
The LPGA's official records show Korda finished at 69.38 over 53 rounds, Ryu at 69.44 over 61 rounds, and Yamashita at 69.47 over 78 rounds, with the eligibility threshold set at 60 rounds or 60 percent of official rounds. Korda's total of 65 rounds fell five short, and the source does not address whether any appeal of the rulings is planned.
The players
Miyu Yamashita
A Japanese golfer who won three LPGA titles in 2026 and claimed the Vare Trophy after the eligibility rulings.
Nelly Korda
An American golfer who won four LPGA events and two majors in 2026 but was ruled ineligible for the scoring title.
Haeran Ryu
A South Korean golfer whose scoring average of 69.44 was not enough for the Vare Trophy after an injury cost her a round.
LPGA Tour
The professional women's golf organization that sets the eligibility rules for the Vare Trophy and Hall of Fame induction.
The details
Korda competed in 15 LPGA events in 2026, skipping both the spring and fall Asian swings and taking a two-month break after the Solheim Cup, leaving her five rounds short of the required total. Ryu suffered a finger-ligament injury after riding in a golf cart during a pro-am in Malaysia and finished one round short of eligibility.
Timeline
2026 season: Korda and Ryu fall short of eligibility while Yamashita completes 78 rounds.
Following the Solheim Cup: Korda takes a two-month break from competition.
Wednesday before the Malaysia pro-am: Ryu suffers a finger-ligament injury in a golf cart.
2024 season: Thitikul led the scoring average but lost the Vare Trophy to Furue.
2025 season: Yamashita arrives on the LPGA Tour and earns Rookie of the Year.
Season Trajectory
The LPGA's Vare Trophy eligibility rules, which require a minimum of 60 rounds or 60 percent of official rounds, now determine a scoring title that went to a player with the fewest rounds among the leaders. The outcome shows how the tour's round-count thresholds can override a higher scoring average in the race for season awards.
The round-count rules mean that fantasy and betting markets tracking scoring averages must account for players who fall below the 60-round threshold, even with lower averages. Korda's pursuit of the 27 Hall of Fame points depends on finishing the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples or winning The Annika.
The takeaway
Scoring averages alone do not decide awards on the LPGA Tour, because minimum round counts can disqualify a leader. Readers following the season should check both the average and the official round total when evaluating a player's standing.
What happens next
Korda must secure another qualifying achievement, such as a victory at The Annika or the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, to reach Hall of Fame induction.
Further reading
Explore more on the Golf section for coverage of tour awards and player rankings.
