The sun will be high, the desert winds steady, and the stakes even higher when the LPGA Tour returns to Arizona for the 2025 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass. As Whirlwind Golf Club prepares to host the tournament from March 27-30, the anticipation among players and fans is electric. And why wouldn’t it be? With a par-72, 6,661-yard layout, the event boasts a $2.25 million purse and offers 500 CME Globe points, making it a significant stop on the tour. But as the world’s best female golfers prepare to battle it out in the desert, one key question lingers—is there a cut at the Ford Championship?

The answer is yes. The 2025 Ford Championship will follow a traditional 72-hole stroke-play format, with a crucial 36-hole cut that narrows the field for the final rounds—as was the case last year. Across the opening two days, all 144 players will compete, each aiming to secure a spot among the top 65 and ties who will advance to the weekend. This format ensures that only the most consistent and competitive golfers continue to vie for the championship, intensifying the battle for leaderboard positions early on. Those who make the cut will proceed to the final two rounds, where they will have the opportunity to climb the standings and contend for the tournament title.

As the competition heats up and the pressure mounts, making the cut is just the beginning—what follows is a battle for supremacy among the game’s elite.

Who to Watch This Year?

With Rolex Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda leading a stacked field—including 19 of the top 20 players in the world—this event promises to be more than just a stop on the LPGA Tour. It’s set to be a showdown of champions, Olympians, and rising stars, all vying for glory under the Arizona sky.

Last year, Nelly Korda was the story of the LPGA season. The American superstar made history at the inaugural Ford Championship, clinching a third consecutive victory in a dominant run that cemented her place atop the rankings. Now, she returns, not just to defend her title, but to continue a reign that has spanned an astonishing 52 consecutive weeks as the world’s top-ranked player.

She won’t be alone in the hunt. The field is nothing short of a major championship lineup, featuring past winners like Lydia Ko, Jin Young Ko, and Celine Boutier, alongside powerhouses like Lilia Vu and Yuka Saso. The competition will be relentless with 30 major champions boasting a combined 44 major victories.

Adding to the depth of talent, 51 Olympians—including gold medalists like Korda, Ko, and Esther Henseleit—will tee it up, each bringing an extra edge honed by the pressures of global competition.

Beyond the world’s top-ranked players, the Ford Championship is also about opportunity, and this year, two sponsor exemptions are making waves. Gabby Barker, the first female Native American professional golfer, will make her LPGA debut on a grand stage as one of two sponsor exemptions. Joining her is Mexico’s Maria Fassi, a two-time Olympian and former NCAA Champion known for her explosive power and fearless play. Fassi first captured widespread attention with her runner-up finish at the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Since then, she has recorded eight career top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour, with her best performances being third-place finishes at the 2022 Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G and the 2022 Dow Championship. She has long been a fan favorite and is eager to make her mark at Whirlwind Golf Club.

As Fassi prepares to make her mark on the course, the Ford Championship promises to offer more than just thrilling golf—it’s an unforgettable experience for fans, both on and off the fairway. For a sport built on precision, patience, and passion, Whirlwind Golf Club is the perfect setting. The question now is: Who will rise to the occasion? The answer unfolds March 27-30.