Seventy-eight players are on the course, but what exactly are they fighting for? The LPGA has reached the final event of its Asia swing, with the Toto Japan Classic being played at Seta Golf Course in Shiga. Among the competitors are some of the biggest names in golf, including Jin Young Ko, Brooke Henderson, Linn Grant, Ayaka Furue, Minjee Lee, and Haeran Ryu, all chasing a whopping purse of $2 million. The winner? They’ll take home a sweet $300,000, as per Golf Digest.

Last year, Japanese golfer Mone Inami took home the title, finishing with just four birdies and a single bogey for a 3-under 69, wrapping up her tournament at an impressive -22 overall. This year, the excitement is just as intense, with Hana Wakimoto currently leading at 13 under par, fending off some of the tour’s toughest competitors. So, with a jaw-dropping $300,000 waiting for the champion, what do the other players get? Here’s how the prize money breaks down:

But is it just the title and the prize money they’re after? Not quite! These players are also trying to claim as many Race to CME Globe points as they can to qualify for the season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship. 

Only the top 60 players of the season will get a spot in that prestigious showdown. With just two regular events left after this week, everyone in the mix knows they need to climb the leaderboard and earn as many points as possible. Whosoever wins the event will earn 500 points, which could make all the difference in their chances. While everything seems set, let’s not forget about the weather which is shaping up to be a real wild card, adding some uncertainty to this $2 million tournament.

Will weather disrupt the flow of Toto Japan Classics?

Well, it has already delayed the game, as after the second round, LPGA announced that “the Seta Golf Course will be closed on Saturday due to the effects of Tropical Storm Kong-Rey.”  Yes, a storm. And it’s way more dreadful than predicted. As per CNN,  it is the largest storm to hit Taiwan in nearly three decades and has claimed at least two lives, injuring over 500 people.

While the LPGA players are safe, the tournament has taken a dramatic turn. What was supposed to be a 72-hole stroke play event is now shortened to just 54 holes. The frustration of the participating players is indeed palpable, as a lot is now at stake. As for the third round, it is suspended until Sunday, November 3. Will the storm impact the outcome of the Toto Japan Classic 2024? What do you think, let us know in the comment!