The 2026 LPGA Tour season is set to begin with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions from January 29 to February 1 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. However, three recent major champions—Minjee Lee, Grace Kim, and Hannah Green—have opted out of the event. Their absences highlight travel challenges for Australian players ahead of the Asian swing.
The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions marks the start of the 2026 LPGA season, drawing top talent to Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. Yet, the field has been thinned by the withdrawals of three major winners, all Australians: Minjee Lee, Grace Kim, and Hannah Green.
Minjee Lee, a three-time major champion, most recently won the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with a score of 4-under 284, beating runners-up Chanettee Wannasaen and Auston Kim by two strokes. She previously triumphed at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2021 Amundi Evian Championship, bringing her LPGA win total to 11.
Grace Kim claimed her first major at the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship, finishing 14-under with rounds of 65-68-70-67. She defeated Minjee Lee and Lottie Woad in regulation but secured the victory over World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul in a playoff, birdieing the second extra hole after both parred the first.
Hannah Green’s major title came earlier, at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, where she finished 9-under 279 to edge Sung Hyun Park by one stroke and Mel Reid and Nelly Korda by three.
The decision to skip makes logistical sense for the Australians, as the tournament is the only U.S. event before the Asian swing begins with the Honda LPGA Thailand. Travel from Australia to Orlando spans about 10,000 miles—over three times the distance to Thailand—allowing more rest and less jet lag.
Despite the losses, the event remains competitive. Defending champion A Lim Kim, who won in 2025 at 20-under with rounds of 65-69-67-67, leads the field. Seven of the top 10 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are committed, including No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, No. 2 Nelly Korda, No. 4 Miyu Yamashita, No. 5 Charley Hull, No. 6 Lydia Ko, No. 7 Ruoning Yin, and No. 9 Mao Saigo. Debutants like Lottie Woad and returning players such as Austin Ernst and Lilia Vu add depth.
Commitments are due by January 20, 2026, with 39 players already entered as of the latest reports.
