Stacy Lewis understands the importance of the stretch run in the Race to the CME Globe. Last year, the leading American player held a 1,246-point lead entering the Fall Asian Swing of the LPGA schedule and held the lead all the way to the season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship.
She also realizes that you must carry through in the final event. After a points reset for the final event in Naples, Fla., Lewis finished T9 and was leapfrogged by Lydia Ko, who won the tournament and moved from third in the standings to win it all. Inbee Park, second entering the final tournament, finished T24 in Naples.
This year, the tables are turned heading into this week’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, with Ko holding the lead followed by Inbee Park and Lewis. So there’s room for a final surge. Lewis will be able to keep an eye on the opposition on Thursday also as Ko and Park are in the groups immediately behind her.
Seven tournaments are scheduled in consecutive weeks across Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Japan, Mexico and concluding in the U.S., where the winner will be determined in Naples.
Awaiting the weekend before Thanksgiving is a $1 million payout for the season-long points leader. The winner of the CME Group Tour Championship could also pocket $500,000. Last year, Ko completed the double to become the first CME Group champion.
All of the remaining events with a cut will award points to LPGA members who make the cut. For all events without a cut (except for the Lorena Ochoa Invitational), points will be awarded to members who finish among the top 40 and ties. The Lorena Ochoa Invitational will award points to members who finish in the top 20 and ties.
Points will be reset for the CME Group Tour Championship to ensure that the points race will be won at the season-ending tournament. Reset Points will give top yearly performers an advantage but not guarantee victory.
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