The perfect swings, excited cheers, grand prizes, and epic fist pumps of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) have finally come back for the 73rd year since the establishment of the program. With new events, greater prize money, entering rookies, and returning champions, the 2023 season of the LPGA is not something that a golfer will want to miss.

Originally started by thirteen ambitious and talented lady golfers in 1950, the LPGA has gained recognition worldwide by many people from around the world. Since then, the association has grown to a group of 1,800 members and 199 professional tour players from various countries including the United States, England, South Africa, and South Korea.

As the 2023 LPGA season comes to a start, new card holders, or “rookies,” will be introduced to the field. They are diverse, fiercely competitive, and incredibly talented lady golfers who were pre-selected through the Q-series qualifying tournament in 2022 and the Epson Tour. The LPGA Press relieved some of the many rookies including Hae Ran Ryu, Bailey Tardy, and Aline Krauter.

However, what avid and dedicated viewers of the tour are looking forward to the most is the return of past LPGA tour golfers. Insanely talented players such as Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, and Brooke Henderson, to name a few, return with spirits ready to reclaim titles, break records, and win more tournaments. 

Coach Capps, the current golf coach and a physical education teacher, recalled, “My favorite LPGA golfer is Danielle Kang. I got to see her develop as I was involved in all of the post-season CIF events she played in. Danielle is the 2023 Champion and will defend her title [at Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions] this week!”

Not only are the fans looking forward to the upcoming season, but the LPGA competitors as well. The motivation for playing on tour comes from a variety of factors such as a love for the sport, a passion for competing, and the prizes that come with victory. 

The LPGA press recently revealed that the golfers will compete for over a total of $101 million dollars throughout the season, a ground-breaking amount which symbolizes the start of lady golfers earning the recognition they long deserved. The tournaments will take place across twelve countries across the globe, with over 500 hours of broadcast for increased entertainment and enjoyment from the viewers.

“I think that as a whole, the 2022 LPGA season was special because at the time, it broke the record for the largest ever prize total presented to the world’s best female golfers at $85.7 million. This is special not only for the female golf community but also for women in all sports as there exists a major gender pay gap in most professional sports,” said Celeste Bañuelos (12), a former member of Ayala’s girls golf team. She continued, “As for the 2023 LPGA tour, it has broken a record yet again for a prize total of $101 million. Female sports are starting to get the pay and attention they deserve, and I am excited to see what this season will bring.”

The LPGA Press additionally announced their 2023 timeline which includes an astounding  thirty-three tournaments such as the Honda LPGA Thailand, HSBC Women’s World Championship, and the Blue Bay LPGA. Many of these matches are returning, however, some thrilling new events are being introduced to the LPGA this year.

Madison Soong (9), a dedicated golfer and LPGA fan said, “My favorite LPGA event in 2022 is the CME group tour championship where Lydia Ko won the final title of the season and 2 million dollars…the biggest winner’s check in the history of women’s golf. I’m looking forward to the surprising winners in the 2023 LPGA season!”

Fans eagerly await watching the many tournaments, new victors, and their favorite professional golfer’s  performance in the 2023 LPGA season. With the returning fist pumps, rookies, and prizes, what’s not to look forward to in this eventful new year of women’s professional golf?