LPGA’s Most Noteworthy Moments of 2025: A Year of Change and New Faces
The 2025 LPGA season was a captivating chapter in women’s professional golf, marked by significant developments, the introduction of a new commissioner, and an influx of first-time winners. Here’s a detailed overview of the most popular stories of the year, as selected by Golfweek readers and presented by our LPGA beat reporter, Beth Ann Nichols.
Top 10 LPGA Stories of 2025
1. Emma Talley Retires at 30
In 2024, Emma Talley, at the age of 30, made headlines when she decided to retire from professional golf. A former NCAA and U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, Talley had been balancing her LPGA career with various media roles, including social media management and podcast hosting. Additionally, she contributed to the Western Kentucky University women’s golf team and mentored young golfers.
Talley’s retirement was particularly poignant when she discovered she was pregnant while her husband, Patrick Smith, was caddying in Asia. Talley’s emotional phone call at 4 a.m. brought joy and a humorous hiccup, as Smith was so overwhelmed he almost choked during dinner.
2. Cancellation of the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship
The LPGA’s Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship in California was canceled due to an underwriter’s failure to meet payment obligations. Originally slated for March 20-23, this highly-anticipated event at Palos Verdes Golf Club boasted a $2 million purse.
An LPGA statement confirmed that canceling the event was unavoidable under the circumstances.
3. Lydia Ko Caddies for Danielle Kang
In a showcase of camaraderie, Lydia Ko took on the role of caddie for fellow golfer Danielle Kang during U.S. Women’s Open qualifying in San Francisco. The world No. 3 traveled directly from Texas to The Olympic Club, supporting Kang as she aimed to qualify for the major event. The duo has previously teamed up for the LPGA’s Dow Championship.
4. Kai Trump Makes LPGA Debut
The Annika driven by Gainbridge tournament was marked by the debut of 18-year-old Kai Trump, granddaughter of former President Donald Trump. Competing on a sponsor exemption, Trump drew significant attention despite scoring an 83 in her first round. The event featured a competitive field including stars like Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson.
5. Jeeno Thitikul Returns to No. 1
Jeeno Thitikul clinched the top spot in the Rolex Rankings for the second time on August 4, 2025, thanks to her consistent performance over several months. Her ascent to No. 1 came after sharing the 30th position at the AIG Women’s British Open. This achievement highlighted the fluctuations in players’ standings, particularly affecting Nelly Korda’s earlier dominance.
Summary
The 2025 LPGA season was filled with compelling stories of resilience, camaraderie, and the changing landscape of women’s golf. From Emma Talley’s heartfelt retirement announcement to the cancellation of significant events, each story resonated with fans and highlighted the evolving narrative of women’s professional golf. The year also set the stage for new stars like Kai Trump and established players like Jeeno Thitikul to shine in new ways.
For more insights and in-depth coverage of the 2025 LPGA season, continue to follow our updates as we dive deeper into each story and its implications for the future of the tour.
