Prior to the Asian Swing, Lydia Ko had plenty of time to relax. She won her first major championship, the Evian Championship, on Sept. 13 in France, and then took a three-week break as the Solheim Cup took place – she wasn’t eligible for the U.S. vs. Europe team event – and the LPGA had two weeks off.

“I like having the breaks because I can work on some things in my game and have some time off where I can shop and do all that,” Ko said this week as she prepared to tee off in the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship. “It’s been a really fun stretch of events. Last week didn't end up the way I would have loved it to but Lexi played great golf and I had a lot of fun playing in front of the Korean fans, too.”

Ko’s T2 at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia and T4 at the LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship last week gave her a larger advantage in the Race to the CME Globe competition. She leads Inbee Park by 384 points and Stacy Lewis by 1,255. With Park playing in South Korea this week, Ko’s advantage should only grow, not that she’s keeping an eye on the points.

“When I’m out there, I’m just trying to hit a good shot and put myself in good position,” Ko said. “If I thought about the rankings, the awards, it's just way too much. It’s hard enough just trying to hit the ball straight out there.”

Four tournaments remain in the season, beginning this week in Taiwan, followed by stops in 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.

Race to the CME Globe Update: Ko in Good Position

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