Who has had the best major championship season on the LPGA? We will know Sunday afternoon in France and the winner receives the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award in the tightest race yet.
In 2014, Michelle Wie was injured and withdrew after the first round in France, but had enough of a working margin to capture the first ANNIKA Award. Last year, Inbee Park played in the tournament, finishing in a tie for eighth, but had already secured the title prior to the tournament.
This year is a different story, as four players, all majors champions this year, still have a chance to capture the award named for World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam.
The Rolex ANNIKA Major Award was established in 2014 to recognize the player who, during a current LPGA Tour season, has the most outstanding major championship record. Points are awarded for top-10 finishes, ranging from 60 points for first down to two for 10th.
Lydia Ko holds the lead in the competition, thanks to three top-three finishes in majors this year, including a win at the ANA Inspiration. She needs that performance to edge past Ariya Jutanugarn, who has three top-four finishes, including a win at the RICOH Women’s British Open.
Ko seemingly also an advantage in France. She won her first major championship here last year and is the only one of the four 2016 major champions to record a top-10 finish in France. However, Jutanugarn and Henderson have only played here once in their careers.
| Position | Player | Points | ANA | KPMG | USWO | RICOH BRITISH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lydia Ko | 102 | Win | 2 | T3 | T40 |
| 2 | Ariya Jutanugarn | 92 | 4 | 3 | T17 | Win |
| 3 | Brooke Henderson | 62 | T10 | Win | 64 | T50 |
| 3 | Brittany Lang | 60 | Cut | T39 | Win | T60 |
Top Scenarios
Lydia Ko and Ariya Jutanugarn control their own destiny and would lock up the award with a win this week at Evian.| Player | CURRENT | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lydia Ko | 102 | 162 | 126 | 120 | 116 | 114 | 112 | 110 | 108 | 106 | 104 |
| Ariya Jutanugarn | 92 | 152 | 116 | 110 | 106 | 104 | 102 | 100 | 98 | 96 | 94 |
| Brooke Henderson | 62 | 122 | 86 | 80 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 64 |
| Brittany Lang | 60 | 120 | 84 | 78 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 62 |
Green - Guarentee Win
Purple - Maybe
Red - No Chance
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