It all comes down to Sunday.
To say there is a lot on the line in the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship is an understatement with nearly a dozen awards, titles and races coming to a close this weekend. Here’s a guide to the Top 10 things to watch for on Sunday.
10. Stacy Still In The Mix
World No.3 Stacy Lewis is currently third in the Race to the CME Globe standings and is still very much in the conversation after a third round 67 to climb to 7-under par. T-12 entering the final round, Lewis could win the Race to the CME Globe with runner-up finish. She is also in the hunt for her first win of the season after six runner-up finishes this year.
9. First Time Winner?
Ha Na Jang, Gerina Piller and Karine Icher have the opportunity to pick up their first victory on the LPGA Tour on Sunday. Rookie Jang has three times finished runner-up this season, Piller has five top 10’s in 2015 and Icher posted a season best T-9 at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in August. All three players are within the top-5.
8. Wounded Warrior Finale
The Wounded Warrior Project comes to a close at the season’s final event, having raised $1000 for each eagle made this season. At the Tour’s finale, $5000 is awarded for each eagle. The official tally for the year will be calculated with a special presentation following the final putt on Sunday.
7. Hall of Fame Bound?
With her victory at last week’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational, Inbee Park earned her 26th point towards her induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She’s currently just one point short of the Hall, but could earn that last critical point by capturing the Vare Trophy, Player of the Year or by winning the CME Group Tour Championship. Should Park receive that last point, she would then be eligible upon the completion of her 10th season on Tour. Park is finishing her 9th season.
6. A New No.1?
Inbee Park has a chance to retake the No.1 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking with a win on Sunday and eclipse Lydia Ko, who retook the spot with her win in October at the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship.
5. Vare Trophy Up For Grabs
It all comes down to one stroke. One swing made over the course of the season. It’s all that separates Ko and Park from winning this season’s Vare Trophy, awarded for the lowest scoring average of the season. Ko currently leads and should she beat Park by two strokes she would win this year’s trophy. If Park can finish better than Ko or within a stroke of her, she will win the Vare Trophy.
4. Money Money Money
Ko and Park are also in the hunt for this season’s money title. Ko currently leads Park by $188,321 with $2,758,417. Either has the potential to cross the $3 million dollar mark in earnings this season, which would be a first on the LPGA Tour since 2007, when Lorena Ochoa won $4,364,994.
3. Player of the Year
Just three points separate Ko and Park in the season long Rolex Player of the Year points race. Park closed the gap with her victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, but put herself in a tough position. She can only capture the title with a win on Sunday. 30 points go to the winner of the CME Group Tour Championship, which would give her just enough points to pass Ko in the standings. She would become the first from South Korea to win this award multiple times, becoming the first to do so in 2013. Without a win this week, Ko will be named Rolex Player of the Year, just a year removed from being named Rookie of the Year.
2. Race to the CME Globe
The season long Race to the CME Globe ends this week. Points were reset heading into this week’s event, with Ko leading at 5000 points, Park with 4500 and Lewis with 4000. Tied for third entering the final round, Ko is projected to win. Click here for a breakdown of how points are awarded at the season finale.
1. Final Winner of the Season
Whoever wins this week’s CME Group Tour Championship will likely determine who takes home many of the season ending awards. Whether it’s Ko, Park or another player, the winner of the final event of the season will be awarded $500,000. Ko is the defending champion this week, having captured this event in a four-hole playoff last year for the win.
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