World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul will make her debut at the LPGA's season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, joined by No. 2 Nelly Korda and past champion Lydia Ko. The field includes 39 players who won on tour in the past two seasons, marking a larger group than in recent years due to a record 29 winners in 2025. Several top-ranked players, including three Australians, will skip the event to begin their seasons in Asia.
The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, set for January 29 to February 1, features a $2.1 million purse and a celebrity division alongside the professional competition. Eligibility is limited to players with LPGA victories from the past two seasons, resulting in a field of 39 confirmed participants after it closed earlier this week. This year's entry is notably larger than previous editions, which had 32 players in 2025 and 29 in 2023 and 2022, reflecting the tour's increased depth with 29 different winners last year.
Thitikul, a seven-time LPGA winner, has previously skipped the event for reasons including injury. She will be accompanied by prominent figures such as Korda, Ko, and returning player Austin Ernst. Ernst, whose last win came in 2021, is making a surprise comeback after stepping away to coach in college, have a baby, and complete her degree.
Notably absent are three Australian players: third-ranked Minjee Lee, No. 18 Hannah Green, and No. 23 Grace Kim, who won majors in 2025. They plan to start their seasons in Asia, facilitated by the limited U.S. events before the swing. Other 2025 winners sitting out include No. 8 Hyo Joo Kim, No. 10 Sei Young Kim, and No. 36 Carlota Ciganda, a newlywed.
The full field comprises:
- Lauren Coughlin (USA)
- Austin Ernst (USA)
- Ayaka Furue (Japan)
- Linn Grant (Sweden)
- Nasa Hataoka (Japan)
- Brooke Henderson (Canada)
- Charley Hull (England)
- Youmin Hwang (South Korea)
- Jin Hee Im (South Korea)
- Akie Iwai (Japan)
- Chizzy Iwai (Japan)
- Moriya Jutanugarn (Thailand)
- A Lim Kim (South Korea)
- Lydia Ko (New Zealand)
- Nelly Korda (USA)
- Jennifer Kupcho (USA)
- Somi Lee (South Korea)
- Ingrid Lindblad (Sweden)
- Yealimi Noh (USA)
- Haeran Ryu (South Korea)
- Madelene Sagstrom (Sweden)
- Mao Saigo (Japan)
- Yuka Saso (Japan)
- Maja Stark (Sweden)
- Linnea Strom (Sweden)
- Jasmine Suwannapura (Thailand)
- Rio Takeda (Japan)
- Bailey Tardy (USA)
- Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand)
- Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand)
- Lilia Vu (USA)
- Miranda Wang (China)
- Chanettee Wannasaen (Thailand)
- Lottie Woad (England)
- Miyu Yamashita (Japan)
- Amy Yang (South Korea)
- Angel Yin (USA)
- Ruoning Yin (China)
- Rose Zhang (USA)
This diverse international lineup sets the stage for a competitive opener to the 2026 LPGA season.
