The LPGA Tour’s Hall of Fame criteria may face uncertainty for the first time in eight years, as there is no clear next player in line to meet the challenging 27-point threshold. Previously, it was expected that Lydia Ko would be the next player to qualify after Inbee Park, but with Ko earning her final needed point for entry with an Olympic gold medal, it is possible that no one else may qualify under the current points structure.
The LPGA requires players to earn 27 points to be eligible for its Hall of Fame, with various ways to gain points such as winning regular tournaments, major championships, Player of the Year awards, Vare Trophy, or an Olympic gold medal. Only a few active players are within 10 points of the required 27, including Yani Tseng, Jin Young Ko, Stacy Lewis, Nelly Korda, and Ariya Jutanugarn. Among them, only Korda and Ko have won over the last three seasons, with both facing injury challenges throughout their careers.
Jin Young Ko has had dominant multiple-point-earning seasons, with 15 career wins, two majors, and three season-ending awards to accumulate 20 points. Korda, currently ranked World No. 1, has earned 7 points in 2024 alone with six wins, including a major title. However, Korda has faced injuries throughout her career, including a back injury in 2020, surgery for a blood clot in 2022, and a back injury in 2023.
Both Korda and Jin Young Ko likely need additional multi-point seasons to reach the 27-point threshold for the Hall of Fame, as Lydia Ko had three seasons of earning at least five points over her career. If neither Korda nor Ko reaches 27 points, the LPGA may need to update its qualification standards or create a veteran’s category to allow someone into the hall of fame. The tour has adjusted its criteria in the past, dropping the point requirement from 35 to 27 in 1998 and changing the 10-year playing requirement in 2022 to ensure Lorena Ochoa’s eligibility.
In conclusion, the uncertainty surrounding the next player to qualify for the LPGA Tour’s Hall of Fame highlights the challenges that players face in meeting the stringent 27-point criteria. As Korda and Ko continue to compete and strive for more points, the tour may need to consider updating its standards to ensure that deserving players have a chance to enter the hall of fame.
