With only three events remaining before the cutoff of the CME Group Tour Championship, players are running out of time to qualify for the season-ending event in Naples, Florida. The top 60 players on the CME points list at the conclusion of The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican will secure their spots in this year’s CME at Tiburon Golf Club. The championship will offer a purse of $11 million, including a record $4 million winner’s check, making it the biggest prize in women’s golf history. Every player in the field will be awarded at least $55,000 at this 72-hole no-cut event.
Bailey Tardy of the United States made a significant move up in the rankings after a share of fourth place at the Maybank Championship, climbing 15 spots in the CME. Russian rookie Nataliya Guseva also moved up three spots after finishing 12th at the Maybank, securing her place among the top 60 players. Marina Alex of the United States posted her fourth top-10 finish of the season at the Maybank, moving up six spots in the rankings and now sitting just one spot outside the top 60. Wei-Ling Hsu of Chinese Taipei jumped up 10 spots after recording her first top 10 since June at the Maybank.
However, not all players had a successful week at the Maybank Championship. Gaby Lopez of Mexico dropped one spot in the rankings after a T-56 finish, but remains inside the top 60. South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai improved her performance every round at the Maybank but still dropped a spot in the rankings, now sitting on the bubble at 60th. Alison Lee of the United States entered the Maybank right on the bubble but dropped two spots after withdrawing from the tournament. Alexa Pano of the United States also moved down two spots in the rankings to 63rd after a third-round 79 in Malaysia.
Former U.S. Women’s Open champion A Lim Kim dropped one spot in the CME rankings after a T-39 finish at the Maybank Championship. Ryann O’Toole of the US dropped three spots to 65th in the rankings after a T-68 finish in Malaysia. With only a few events left before the CME Group Tour Championship, every position counts for players hoping to secure their spots in the season-ending event. The race to qualify for the big payday in Naples, Florida is heating up as players make their final moves in the rankings.
