The CME Group Tour Championship concluded with a thrilling showdown between Amy Yang and Nasa Hataoka, two top LPGA players without a major title to their name. The two players had been posting impressive scores all week, and it all came down to the final round at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. Yang emerged as the champion, securing her fifth career victory and a $2 million first-place prize money payout, her first win since 2019.
Yang finished with a score of -27 in the final round, while Hataoka took second place with a score of -24. Atthaya Thitikul finished in third place with a score of -20. Hataoka and Yang were tied at 21 under at the start of the day, but Hataoka took an early lead, only for Yang to fight back with a series of birdies to level the score.
The turning point of the round came when Yang holed out for an eagle on the par-4 13th, taking the lead at 25 under. Despite Hataoka tying Yang on the 14th hole, her putter failed her down the stretch, allowing Yang to maintain her lead. Yang’s birdie on the 17th hole gave her a two-shot advantage heading into the final hole, where she sealed her victory with another birdie.
This win was a long time coming for Yang, as it took her 16 seasons on the LPGA Tour to secure a victory on American soil. While the Tour Championship isn’t a major, the $2 million prize money is substantial and has pushed Yang to 11th on the career money list with $13,882,919. Yang’s victory also broke the scoring record at the CME, surpassing Jin Young Ko’s previous record.
Minjee Lee finished tied for second with Hataoka, capping off a strong season with a handful of impressive performances. Lee’s successful season also earned her a spot in contention for the 2024 U.S. Solheim Cup team. Atthaya Thitikul won the Vare Trophy with a slight scoring average advantage over Hyo Joo Kim, while Lilia Vu secured the Rolex Player of the Year award, becoming the first American to do so since Stacy Lewis in 2014.
Overall, the 2023 CME Group Tour Championship was a thrilling event that showcased the talent and determination of some of the LPGA’s top players. Amy Yang’s victory was a well-deserved reward for her years of hard work and consistency on the tour, solidifying her place among the best South Korean golfers in LPGA history.
