The LPGA Tour is entering its winter break, but the last event before the end of the year was truly something extraordinary. Lydia Ko not only dominated the CME Group Tour Championship from start to finish, but she also received the largest winner’s check in women’s golf history. The 25-year-old received a record $2 million. From the German point of view, only Caroline Masson took part in the tournament in Naples, Florida. Born in Gladbeck, she secured a place in the top 30 Proetten at the end of the year.
LPGA Tour: Lydia Ko wins player of the year award for second time
It was a successful weekend for Lydia Ko in every respect. The South Korean native dominated the court from his first shot at the CME Group Tour Championship. With 65 hits on Thursday and 66 on Friday, she entered Moving Day as a leader. Not even during the weekend she was able to overtake any of her competitors from the first position. Irishwoman Leona Maguire managed a knockout on top after Day 3, but she was unable to match the 25-year-old’s pace. Although Ko only managed rounds of 70 on Saturday and Sunday, it was ultimately enough for the win. At 17-under-par, Ko wins the final event of the 2022 calendar year, relegating Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist to second and third, respectively, to earn her 19th LPGA Tour win.
A Sunday he will never forget 🏆
Watch highlights from Lydia Ko’s 2022 victory @CMEGroupLPGA! 👇 pic.twitter.com/ShIkBfJvjn
—LPGA (@LPGA) November 21, 2022
However, there were more reasons to celebrate for the South Korean. With his victory, the 25-year-old Proette snatched the “Player of the Year” trophy from Rolex for the second time. In addition, she also secured the largest prize money ever won in women’s golf with a record $2 million prize pool. As if all that weren’t enough, she has also once again secured the Vare Trophy, which is awarded to the player with the lowest average score. A weekend that the number 3 in the world won’t soon forget: “Being Player of the Year, winning the Vare Trophy again and winning the CME Group Tour Championship is a dream come true. This in front of the family and being able to do something for my team is very special,” said Ko, who is just two points away from the 27 points required to enter the LPGA Hall of Fame. “As excited as I am to have won, I can’t wait to take a break and become a bride soon.”
It’s a SWEEP for Lydia Ko ⭐️
– Winner of the CME Group Tour Championship
– Winner of the Vare Trophy
– @ROLEX Player of the Year
– $4,364,403 earned (2nd most in a season all time)What. A season. pic.twitter.com/pCM6MrrN49
—LPGA (@LPGA) November 20, 2022
Caroline Masson ends the season in the top 30
Things could have been better, but also significantly worse for Caroline Masson in the last event of the 2022 season. The 33-year-old was the only German golfer to start in Naples, Florida and finished her season with a place in the top 30 women. After a even round early on, Masson worked his way through the tournament better and better and recorded two rounds under par (70, 70). On Sunday, however, she had to accept a lap above par, also due to a double bogey in lane 4. With a score of -3, Masson is tied for 25th place. That season, Masson completed 24 tournaments on the LPGA Tour, earning a total of $425,919 in prize money.
