The 2025 Dow Championship, scheduled from June 26 to 29 in Midland, Michigan, will proceed without some of the most notable figures in women’s golf. Several top-ranked players, including Nelly Korda, have chosen to forgo this event following the recent KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, focusing instead on rest and preparation for upcoming tournaments.
Nelly Korda skips 2025 Dow Championship amid discussions about recovery and future competitions, leaving a gap in the field of this significant LPGA Tour event.
Absences of Five Leading Golfers Reshape Tournament Field
Among the notable absences are five of the LPGA’s leading competitors, each with distinct reasons tied to their recent performances and schedules. Nelly Korda, the current World No. 1 and Olympian, is one of the most prominent players missing from the Dow Championship roster, reflecting a strategic break following her consistent season starts and solid showing in last week’s Major, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
At that championship, Korda maintained her form by making her ninth straight cut and securing a top-20 finish, although she last competed at the Dow Championship in 2021, finishing tied for 19th and earning nearly $50,000. Her next tournament will be the Amundi Evian Championship in France, running from July 10 to 13.
Another player sitting out is Charley Hull, who ranked among the world’s top 20 and impressed with a tied 5th place finish at the 2024 Dow Championship event, posting 18 under par last year. Hull’s decision to skip this year’s edition suggests a need to manage her playing schedule carefully.
Minjee Lee, currently World No. 6 and fresh off her third Major title, also opts to rest after significant achievements. She claimed fifth place at the 2021 Dow Championship and recently won the Amundi Evian Championship, boosting her LPGA Tour wins to eleven, including three Major victories.
Anna Nordqvist, a past winner and Swedish competitor, was unable to advance past the cut at the last Major event. Following her near miss with a score of eight over par, she has withdrawn from this week’s Dow Championship to refocus for the upcoming competition in France.
Angel Yin, ranked No. 7 globally and with back-to-back top-ten Major finishes, will similarly skip the Dow Championship. She last played the tournament in 2022, finishing tied for 32nd, and will instead prepare for the Amundi Evian Championship.
Impact of These Withdrawals on the LPGA Tour and the Dow Championship
The absence of these top stars, including Nelly Korda, alters the competitive dynamics of the 2025 Dow Championship, providing opportunities for emerging players to challenge for the title. With several high-profile athletes prioritizing recovery and international events, the tournament may see a reshaped leaderboard.
The decisions of these players underscore the demanding physical and mental toll of the LPGA Tour’s Major circuit, as well as strategic planning for the rest of the season. As attention now turns to the next Major, the Amundi Evian Championship, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how these golfers rebound and whether they can maintain their momentum through the summer schedule.