LPGA Season-Opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions: Key Updates
The LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is set to kick off with the highly anticipated Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, but this year’s event will be missing some notable competitors. Key players Minjee Lee and Grace Kim, both major winners from last season, have confirmed they will not participate in the tournament scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida, starting January 29. Additionally, fellow Australian golfer Hannah Green will also miss the event.
Player Withdrawals and Event Significance
With only one event in the U.S. before heading to the Asian swing, Lee, Kim, and Green have chosen to spend additional time at home before traveling to compete in Thailand or Singapore. This decision highlights the challenges players face in balancing travel and preparation for the season.
The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions uniquely features players who have earned victories on the LPGA Tour over the past two seasons. With a record 29 different winners in 2025, this year’s tournament promises to be highly competitive.
Current Field Overview
As of now, there are 39 LPGA players confirmed for the tournament at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. The deadline for additional entries is set for next Tuesday at 5 p.m. EST.
Defending Champion and Top Competitors
The tournament will showcase world-class talent, including:
- World No. 1: Jeeno Thitikul
- World No. 2: Nelly Korda
- LPGA Hall of Famer: Lydia Ko, who is also a resident of Lake Nona
- Defending Champion: A Lim Kim
Celebrity Lineup
This year’s event will feature an exciting celebrity roster, including:
- NBA All-Star: Blake Griffin
- NBC News Meteorologist: Dylan Dreyer
- 2025 Celebrity Champion and NHL All-Star: Joe Pavelski
- Past MLB champions: John Smoltz, Derek Lowe, Jeff McNeil
- Tennis player: Mardy Fish
These celebrities add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament, attracting fans from various sports backgrounds.
Upcoming Events
Following the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the LPGA will launch into its Asian swing, starting with:
- Honda LPGA Thailand: February 19-22
- Continuation to events in Singapore and China
As the season unfolds, golf enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating series of competitions featuring the best in women’s golf.
Stay tuned for more updates as the schedule progresses and additional players confirm their participation in upcoming events.
