Nelly Korda Nears 2026 LPGA Player of the Year
Korda holds a commanding points lead with three events remaining in the season.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Golf
World No. 1 Nelly Korda is all but a lock to win the 2026 LPGA Rolex Player of the Year award, holding a 63-point lead over Haeran Ryu with three events to play. Korda has not competed since the Solheim Cup in early September.
Why it matters
With her lead spanning more than 60 points, Korda would need to collapse for another player to overtake her, and a Player of the Year win would also bring her closer to Hall of Fame induction. The race offers a clear picture of where the LPGA season's top honor is headed.
Korda leads the Player of the Year standings by 63 points over Haeran Ryu, 83 over Miyu Yamashita, and 84 over Jeeno Thitkul. Korda has won the Annika three of the last five years, though Thitkul and Yamashita have not yet entered the event.
The players
Nelly Korda
Korda is an American professional golfer ranked World No. 1 and the clear leader in the 2026 LPGA Rolex Player of the Year race.
Haeran Ryu
Ryu is a South Korean professional golfer currently in second place in the Player of the Year standings, 63 points behind Korda.
Miyu Yamashita
Yamashita is a Japanese professional golfer who won the Maybank Championship last week and sits 83 points behind Korda.
Jeeno Thitkul
Thitkul is a Thai professional golfer trailing Korda by 84 points in the Player of the Year standings.
The details
Korda, 28, has not competed since the Solheim Cup in early September. Miyu Yamashita won the Maybank Championship last week, while Haeran Ryu withdrew from that event before hitting a shot and is not in the field for the Toto Classic in Japan this week.
Timeline
Early September 2026: Korda's last competition, the Solheim Cup.
Last week: Yamashita won the Maybank Championship.
Tuesday, 5 p.m. Eastern: Final deadline to enter the Annika Invitational.
Next week: Annika Invitational in Florida.
This week: Toto Classic in Japan.
Season Trajectory
The Player of the Year race is decided through points accumulated across the season, and Korda's lead of more than 60 points with three events left places her firmly ahead of the field. A win at the Annika or the CME Group Tour Championship would also add to her Hall of Fame standing.
Fantasy and betting players tracking the LPGA season should note that Korda's lead makes the Player of the Year outcome close to settled. Those following the Annika can check the entry list, since Thitkul and Yamashita have not yet signed up.
The takeaway
Korda's dominance this season shows how a sustained run of consistent results can settle a points race well before the final event. Readers following the LPGA should watch the Annika and the Tour Championship for any change to the Player of the Year picture.
What happens next
Korda's season continues with the Annika Invitational next week in Florida, and the Player of the Year title could be decided at the CME Group Tour Championship.
Further reading
For more on the tour's season race, browse the latest Golf coverage.
