After a record-setting number of first-time winners over the past two seasons on the LPGA, 2024 has been a year for the stars.
Last season, there were 12 Rolex first-time winners, up from a record-tying 11 in 2022 (first set in 1995). This season, only three players have broken through for the first time, and none of them are rookies: Lauren Coughlin, Linnea Strom and Bailey Tardy.
Meanwhile, two of the LPGA’s biggest names – Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko – have owned the year. World No. 1 Korda dominated the first half of the season with six victories in her first eight starts. Ko, meanwhile, hadn’t finished outside the top 10 in her last six starts worldwide, including three victories heading into this week’s BMW Ladies Championship in her native South Korea, where she tied for 12th.
Here’s the list of five players who have won multiple titles this season, including three World No. 1s:
Ruoning Yin of China poses with the trophy after winning the final round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai 2024 at Qizhong Garden Golf Club on October 13, 2024 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images)
Lauren Coughlin during interview after finishing her play during the final round of the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Coughlin, the breakout star of 2024, earned her first LPGA title at age 31 at the CPKC Women’s Open in her 101st LPGA start. She followed it soon after with a victory in Scotland in trying conditions. The Virginia grad went 3-0-1 in her Solheim Cup debut.
Hannah Green of Australia poses with the champion’s trophy after her victory at the end of the 2024 BMW Ladies Championship golf tournament at Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Lydia Ko of New Zealand, poses with the AIG Women’s Open trophy following victory on Day Four of the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews Old Course on August 25, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Nelly Korda with the trophy after winning the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club. (Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
