The 2025 women’s major golf season continues this week with the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship taking place at PGA Frisco, featuring a field packed with the LPGA Tour’s top stars. Among the headliners is world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who aims to break her winless streak this year while facing stiff competition from Jeeno Thitikul and other leading contenders.
This tournament provides a pivotal moment in Nelly Korda’s challenge at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, as her position atop the world rankings is at risk and her pursuit of a victory to kick-start the year intensifies.
Defending Champion and Recent Major Winners Prepare at PGA Frisco
Amy Yang returns this year to defend her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship title after edging out Jin Young Ko, Lilia Vu, and Miyu Yamashita by three strokes last season. Despite Yang’s strong showing in 2024, she has yet to secure a victory on the LPGA Tour this year.
Recent major champions are also eager to extend their momentum. Mao Saigo captured the Chevron Championship in April after a dramatic playoff in Texas, while Sweden’s Maja Stark celebrated her first major triumph just weeks ago at the US Women’s Open. Both players seek to reinforce their promising 2025 campaigns with strong performances.
Nelly Korda’s Search for a Victory and Ranking Stability
Nelly Korda, the current world No. 1 and a past winner of this event, arrives at PGA Frisco still looking for her first victory of the season. Her dominance over the rankings since March 2024, following a historic year that included seven wins and five consecutive tournament victories, has been challenged by an extended title drought since her three-stroke victory at The Annika last November.
Despite this, Korda has consistently delivered solid results, never finishing worse than 28th in nine starts this season. Her recent runner-up finish at the US Women’s Open, where she described her performance as “very happy,” demonstrates her form and drive.
“to continue knocking on the door”
—Nelly Korda, World No. 1
A victory at this major would not only secure her first win of 2025 but also reinforce her top ranking, particularly as rival Jeeno Thitikul aims to close the gap.
Jeeno Thitikul’s Strong Season Builds Toward Major Breakthrough
Jeeno Thitikul has been among the most consistent players over the past year, currently leading the LPGA Tour’s order of merit. However, majors have proved more challenging for the Thai star, who struggled at the Chevron Championship and missed the cut at the US Women’s Open, the only two events out of 20 since last summer where Thitikul finished outside the top 20.
Wrapping up last season, Thitikul won the CME Group Tour Championship and has already enjoyed multiple victories in 2025, including wins at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour and the Mizuho Americas Open on the LPGA Tour. This season’s successes have placed her among the favorites and boosted expectations for a deep run at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Thitikul’s previous performance at this event, a fourth-place finish in 2022, was part of a series of three consecutive major top-10 results that helped her briefly claim the world No. 1 spot. At just 22, she enters the tournament as a joint favorite with some bookmakers, poised to make a major breakthrough on a big stage.
Lexi Thompson’s Form and Potential Impact at the Major
Although no longer a full-time LPGA player, Lexi Thompson continues to demonstrate she remains a force in major events. Recent results reflect her capability, including a top-15 finish at the Chevron Championship and a tied-fourth at the Meijer LPGA Classic, where she contended for victory until late bogeys affected her final standing.
Thompson’s history at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship reinforces her threat level, having achieved two top-10 finishes in the last three editions. At age 30, the American is eager to capitalize on her good form and add a second major title to her achievements.
European Contenders Seeking Their Moment at PGA Frisco
European players bring their own ambitions to the championship. Charley Hull, who finished as runner-up in two majors during 2023 and holds four top-20 results in her last six major starts, looks to regain the form that previously placed her in the world’s top ranks. Despite a drop to world No. 17—the lowest in two years—Hull remains a contender.
Carlota Ciganda recently ended a long LPGA Tour title drought with her Meijer LPGA Classic victory, marking her as the fourth European winner on the tour this season. Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and Ingrid Lindblad had already found success prior to Stark’s US Women’s Open win. Stark and fellow Swede Celine Boutier rank inside the top 20 of the LPGA Tour’s Race to CME Globe, highlighting their strong seasons.
Boutier, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, and Bronte Law all finished inside the top 10 at recent events, with Sagstrom among the leaders heading into final rounds. Many European players eye the chance to become the first continent representative to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship since Annika Sorenstam in 2009.
Viewing Options for Fans on Sky Sports Golf
Fans can follow the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship live on Sky Sports with extensive coverage starting Thursday at 4pm on Sky Sports Golf, followed by a second session at 11pm. Friday’s second round will follow the same schedule.
Coverage continues on Saturday from 5:30pm on Sky Sports Mix and moves to 6pm for the final round on Sunday. This major is part of three live events broadcast by Sky Sports during the week, along with the Travelers Championship and the concluding rounds of the Amateur Championship.
Golf enthusiasts eager to watch the tournament live can tune in on Sky Sports or stream the action without contract via NOW, starting Thursday afternoon.