As Lexi Thompson surges And Lydia Ko Falters, Here Are The Top 5 Players Who Have Set Their Targets On Making It To The CME Group Tour Championship

Apart from prestige, qualifying for the CME Group Tour Championship offers serious monetary benefits. It is the season-ending event of the LPGA Tour, which offers the largest non-Major purse on the women’s circuit at $7 million. The winner takes home $2 million. And time is running out for the former Major winner like Patty Tavatanakit.

The tournament will be played from November 16 to 19 at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida. Only the top 60 players and ties on the Race to CME Globe points qualify for the event and at the moment, some high-profile Major winners like Lexi Thompson, along with Tavatanakit, are in danger of missing out. As the season draws to a close, it appears to be a five-way race for the final CME spot.

Thompson, Tavatanakit in a tight race

Thompson has started off well at the ongoing Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. She needs a big week. Lydia Ko, on the other hand, had a difficult start at the tournament, finishing 31st on the scoreboard after her first round. Tavatanakit, currently 61st on the points list, opened with a 7-under 63. She needs to edge ahead of Bianca Pagdanganan of the Philippines.

As things stand, Pagdanganan, ranked 60th, will take the final spot at CME, although she dropped three places this week to make things difficult for herself.

Tavatanakit’s last top-10 finish came in August at the Women’s Scottish Open. The Thai player’s first-round 63 at Pelican was a massive let-down.

Sarah Schmelzel of the United States is ranked 62nd at the moment. Three consecutive top-20 finishes during the LPGA’s business end has raised her hopes as regards to making it to the Tour finale. She opened The Annika with a 68.

Read more: Amid a Disappointing LPGA Start, Will Lydia Ko Face a Crushing Blow Ahead of the CME Group Tour Championship?

At No. 63 is Schmelzel’s compatriot Lauren Coughlin. On Thursday, however, she shot 73 at Pelican and she needs something special on Friday to qualify for her maiden CME.

At No. 64 is Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea. The 2009 U. S. Women’s Open champion is not playing her best golf at the moment, struggling to regain her form.

On an upswing

But all eyes are on Thompson, for she could spring a major surprise. The American is ranked 88th, but her game is on an upward curve.

Armed with a new swing, the 28-year-old has credited the turnaround to her instructor Tony Ruggiero. “He texts me every day, asking how I’m doing, keeping in touch. That’s all I need. I just need somebody there to support me and really just there, checking in on me. Even if I’m playing good every day, it’s still somebody asking,” said Thompson, as quoted by Golfweek, without revealing the technical details. Her ball-striking has improved considerably. It needs to be seen if the turnaround has come just in time to earn Thompson a CME spot, or it is a little too late.

Watch this story: Will Lexi Thompson’s Redemption Arc Come to a Tragic Halt? As Injury Woes Deepen, a Massive Threat Looms Large Over Her 13-Year Streak