The season-ending tournament, the CME Group Tour Championship, debuted back in 2011. That year, its purse was $1.5 million. Fast forward to 2024, and the winner now takes home nearly four times that amount, with a $4 million prize. Today, the tournament’s total purse has reached $11 million—now that’s what you call evolution.

Over the years, a lot has changed, and needless to say, LPGA has been on everyone’s mind. Whether you credit it to the players or the Tour’s growing presence itself, the hype for LPGA is something that hasn’t gone unnoticed, be it among the regular golf fans or the new generation who idolizes the players. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: it’s all moving in the right direction. Amy Yang, who’s defending her title this year, definitely thinks so too.

At a recent pre-tournament conference, Amy Yang shared just how grateful she is for the growth of the LPGA. When asked about how women’s golf has changed in recent years, she was quick to respond. “A lot. By far. It’s just so great to see women’s golf is growing a lot and a lot of people are watching more and a lot of kids want to be on LPGA,” she said.

Last year, Amy Yang made her mark in the CME Group Tour Championship, clinching her first LPGA win in style. With birdies on her last two holes, she shot a 6-under 66 and claimed the $2 million prize, which was one of the largest in women’s golf at the time. Now, she’s back on the course, aiming to defend that title, and of course, the competition is fierce. But amid all the action, she’s still taking a moment to reflect on how far the Tour has come. “I just am so happy for it and I’m just hoping it continues to get bigger each year, yeah,” she said, talking about what’s next for the LPGA after hitting that huge milestone with the $4 million prize money.

But is it just about the money? Clearly not! As Yang explains, “Everyone out here, we dedicate our life to this game and we love this game. Just so thankful for CME to step up and make women’s golf bigger. I hope also other tournaments could keep growing down the road.”

While the purse is something worth the talk, what else does this season-ending tournament have in its store?

CME Group works for a profound cause

CME Group Tour Championship 2024, has a lot to offer, making it all a watch-worthy tournament. With big names like World No. 1 Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, and soon-to-be departing Lexi Thompson gracing the event, the excitement is undeniable. What’s more? The event doesn’t have a cut, which means no mid-tournament elimination. So yes, players can play with less pressure this time. And of course, the whooping purse is like the cherry on top.  But is it just the players who benefit from this tour?  Not really. While there are some lucrative offers attached to this event, there is also a profound cause behind this which makes it even better for both players and viewers alike.

What really sets this event apart is its commitment to giving back, thanks to the CME Group Cares Challenge, a charitable initiative that runs throughout the season. The program raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is dedicated to advancing treatments for childhood cancer. So, when players step up to the tee, it’s not just about winning—it’s about making a difference. Every time an LPGA pro sinks a hole-in-one, CME Group donates $20,000 to St. Jude. This year alone, the program has already raised $560,000, surpassing its $500,000 goal.

So, as you can see, this isn’t just any season finale—it’s a grand finale with all the elements we could ask for, all in one place. So, are you ready for the final show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!