CME Group Tour Championship – Syndication Server

2024 CME Group Tour Championship prize money payouts for every LPGA player

Thitikul earned $4 million for her victory at the CME.

Jeeno Thitikul is leaving the CME Group Tour Championship $5 million richer than when she showed up.

The 21-year-old from Thailand won the LPGA season-ending event on Sunday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. She finished eagle-birdie to pass Angel Yin and win by a shot.

She earned $4 million for her victory at the CME, and that is in addition to the $1 million bonus she earned earlier this week for winning the season-long Aon Risk Reward Challenge.

Angel Yin won $1 million for her second-place finish.

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

Here’s a look at the prize money payouts for each LPGA player at the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship.

2024 CME Group Tour Championship prize money payouts

Position	Player	Score	Earnings
1	Jeeno Thitikul	-22	$4,000,000
2	Angel Yin	-21	$1,000,000
3	Lydia Ko	-17	$550,000
4	Ruoning Yin	-16	$350,000
T5	Nelly Korda	-15	$227,500
T5	Narin An	-15	$227,500
7	Nataliya Guseva	-14	$155,000
T8	Brooke Henderson	-13	$119,125
T8	Amy Yang	-13	$119,125
T8	Ayaka Furue	-13	$119,125
T8	Hye-Jin Choi	-13	$119,125
T12	Marina Alex	-12	$94,000
T12	Jennifer Kupcho	-12	$94,000
T12	Jin Young Ko	-12	$94,000
T12	Celine Boutier	-12	$94,000
T16	Ally Ewing	-11	$84,500
T16	Lucy Li	-11	$84,500
T16	Charley Hull	-11	$84,500
T19	Ariya Jutanugarn	-10	$80,167
T19	Mi Hyang Lee	-10	$80,167
T19	Hannah Green	-10	$80,167
T22	Megan Khang	-9	$77,000
T22	Ryann O’Toole	-9	$77,000
T22	Linn Grant	-9	$77,000
T25	Mao Saigo	-8	$73,000
T25	Grace Kim	-8	$73,000
T25	Yealimi Noh	-8	$73,000
T25	Albane Valenzuela	-8	$73,000
T25	A Lim Kim	-8	$73,000
T30	Sei Young Kim	-7	$68,500
T30	Minjee Lee	-7	$68,500
T30	Chanettee Wannasaen	-7	$68,500
T30	Pajaree Anannarukarn	-7	$68,500
T30	Jasmine Suwannapura	-7	$68,500
T35	Gabriela Ruffels	-6	$64,750
T35	Allisen Corpuz	-6	$64,750
T35	Haeran Ryu	-6	$64,750
T35	Hyo Joo Kim	-6	$64,750
T35	Linnea Strom	-6	$64,750
T40	Lilia Vu	-5	$62,250
T40	Xiyu Lin	-5	$62,250
T42	Leona Maguire	-4	$60,750
T42	Jin Hee Im	-4	$60,750
T42	Andrea Lee	-4	$60,750
T42	Esther Henseleit	-4	$60,750
T46	Carlota Ciganda	-3	$59,000
T46	Sarah Schmelzel	-3	$59,000
T46	Nanna Koerstz Madsen	-3	$59,000
T49	Yuka Saso	-2	$57,583
T49	Maja Stark	-2	$57,583
T49	Lexi Thompson	-2	$57,583
T52	Lauren Coughlin	E	$56,750
T52	Arpichaya Yubol	E	$56,750
T52	Rose Zhang	E	$56,750
T55	Jenny Shin	1	$56,000
T55	Moriya Jutanugarn	1	$56,000
T55	Nasa Hataoka	1	$56,000
58	Bailey Tardy	2	$55,500
59	Madelene Sagstrom	4	$55,250
60	Patty Tavatanakit	6	$55,000

Jeeno Thitikul wins 2024 CME Group Tour Championship, pockets top prize of $4 million

Moments after Thitikul finished polishing her newest trophy, she asked, “Is anybody hungry?”

NAPLES, Fla. – Moments after Jeeno Thitikul finished polishing her newest trophy, she turned to assembled media and asked, “Is anybody hungry?”

The woman who’d just clinched the largest check in women’s golf history flashed that million-dollar smile. It wasn’t all that long ago that Thitikul took her job too seriously and put too much pressure on herself. The smile was gone.

At 21 years old, however, she’s figured out that golf isn’t life or death, and it’s paying off in a big way.

On Sunday at the CME Group Tour Championship, Thitikul poured in a 25-foot putt for eagle on the 17th hole and knocked a 6-iron to 5 feet on the last to clip Angel Yin by one stroke and claim the $4 million prize. The gutsy performance came after she won $1 million earlier this week for claiming the Aon Risk Reward Challenge.

That’s $5 million in one week.

And yet, the thought that popped into Thitikul’s mind as she stepped onto the 18th tee at Tiburon Golf Club Sunday was that it’s not about the money.

“That word like pop up in my mind on 18 tee box, that we not here for prize money,” said Thitikul. “We’re here for like grow(ing) the game of golf.”

Jeeno, are you joking?! 🤯

This approach sets her up for birdie on 18 pic.twitter.com/fpFlgK6Ibx

— LPGA (@LPGA) November 24, 2024

Thitikul played Sunday’s round alongside her best friend on tour, Ruoning Yin and Angel Yin (not related). Both Thitikul and Yin began the 2024 season late due to injury, with Thitikul suffering from a painful left thumb and Yin a broken ankle.

“I think the best thing in my life that happened this year, it’s [being] injured,” said Thitikul. “And also the worst thing. But it taught me a lot this year.”

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

Thitikul’s eagle-birdie finish gave her a 7-under 65 on Sunday for a 22-under total. Angel Yin closed with a 66 to finish one back, good for a $1 million payday.

“Hopefully I don’t break any body parts starting the offseason,” Yin joked after the round, “and maybe we’ll get some positive for next season.”

Thitikul, now a four-time winner on the LPGA, laughs each time she tells reporters not to tell her parents that she’s spending all the money. The Thai sensation started Black Friday shopping after she earned the $1 million bonus and had plans to visit Disney World with friends, including Ruoning Yin, after she left Naples. Thitikul and Yin teamed up to win the Dow Championship earlier this year.

Not surprisingly, Thitikul set a new single-season earnings record with $6,059,309, topping the record held by Lorena Ochoa in 2007 of $4,364,994. A total of 34 players crossed the $1 million mark in earnings this season.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda wrapped up her sensational season with a share of fifth, closing with a bogey-free 66. She became the first American to win seven LPGA titles in one season since Beth Daniel in 1990. In any other year, her $4,391,930 would’ve topped the money list.

“Never in a million years would I have thought last year, 365 days ago, I would be here with seven wins in one season and another major championship,” said Korda.

“But proud of the way I played this year. Proud of the way I bounced back after the middle of the year to win in Tampa. And, yeah, just motivated and eager to get next year going again.”

Jeeno Thitikul poses with the trophy after winning the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Lydia Ko didn’t even qualify for the CME last year and came in this year as one of the hottest players on tour. The most recent member of LPGA Hall of Fame closed out her fairy-tale season with a 9-under 63, moving up to solo third at 17 under. Ko earned $550,000 for her efforts.

“It was kind of the best way I could hope to end my official season,” said Ko, who like many players in the field this week will be back at Tiburon next month for the Grant Thornton Invitational, where she’ll defend with partner Jason Day. Thitikul will be paired with three-time PGA Tour winner Tom Kim.

“Especially with this tournament being a very special place for me, I really wanted to finish on a high. To be able to do that, it’s definitely a great way it wrap it up.”

Three players bid farewell to full-time competition on Sunday: Lexi Thompson, Ally Ewing and Marina Alex. While Thompson and Ewing made their announcements earlier in the season, only Alex’s close circle friends and family knew this would be final season.

Alex, a two-time winner on tour, closed with a 66 to finish tied for 12th while Ewing tied for 16th. A total of 12 players have decided to step away from full-time competition after this season.

Two-tee start costs Lexi Thompson the chance to embrace fans on 18th green in what could be final CME

Thompson claimed the CME title in 2018.

NAPLES, Fla. – After three days of playing in twosomes off the first tee at the CME Group Tour Championship, the field of 60 will play the final round in threesomes off Nos. 1 and 10.

That means Lexi Thompson, who currently sits in a share of 29th at 4 under, will be going off No. 10 at 8:50 a.m in what could be her final appearance at the CME. Thompson announced at the U.S. Women’s Open that 2024 would be her final full season on the LPGA and it will be difficult to qualify on limited starts.

“Pretty sad when you’re at -4 in the season-ending event, which could easily be the last CME of your career and you won’t even finish on #18 because they decide to double the tee on the final day due to TV coverage window,” Thompson wrote in an Instagram story.

“Bummed I won’t be able to embrace all the incredible fans on 18 tomorrow as I finish. Hopefully some will be out there on #9.”

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

https://x.com/nuclrgolf/status/1860458535148023985?s=46

Thompson, 29, is an 11-time winner on the LPGA and claimed the CME title in 2018. Live TV coverage of the final round is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. ET on NBC.

Thompson will return to Tiburon Golf Club next month for the Grant Thornton Invitational, where she’ll play alongside Rickie Fowler.

Jeeno Thitikul has already claimed a $1 million check this week at the CME – now she could add another $4 million

Jeeno Thitikul has a chance to leave Naples, Florida, this week with $5 million.

NAPLES, Fla. – Jeeno Thitikul has a chance to leave Naples, Florida, this week with $5 million. She’s already wrapped up $1 million as the Aon Risk Reward Challenge winner and currently co-leads the CME Group Tour Championship after a dazzling 9-under 63.

Thitikul and overnight leader Angel Yin top the board at 15 under at Tiburon Golf Club, with an historic $4 million winner’s check on the line.

When asked for her thoughts on the potential of winning $5 million in one week, Thitikul laughed and said that $1 million is good enough for her before noting her love of spending money. Just yesterday she did some early Black Friday shopping.

“It’s a lot of thing I buy,” she said, laughing. “Just silly things, important things. I don’t know. Actually, that’s nice that I’m here because my parents won’t know what I’m spending.

“But don’t tell my parents that.”

2024 Aon Risk Reward Challenge Presentation — Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand speaks with the Golf Central cast during a interview on Golf Channel after winning the 2024 Aon Risk Reward Challenge ahead of the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Thitikul spent Saturday afternoon alongside close friend Ruoning Yin, who shot 66 and holds solo third at 12 under. Yin said they mostly talk about food inside the ropes, noting that Thitikul sometimes comes over for lunch after practice when the Dallas residents are both in town.

“She’s crushing it,” said Yin of her friend.

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

The pair teamed up to win the Dow Championship earlier this year, and then Yin clipped Thitikul by a stroke at the Maybank Championship. Thitikul, who suffered a thumb injury earlier this year, hasn’t finished outside the top eight in her last six starts.

“Whatever is going to happen tomorrow,” said Thitikul, “I take it as a learning experience. It’s not about life or death.”

Yin has given credit all week to caddie Michelle Simpson for her success on the greens. The pair started working together for the first time on Monday.

“I’ve always had a really tough time reading greens here,” said Yin, “even though I’ve been living in Florida since 2018.

“It’s just really rough for me because I grew up in California and it’s Poa and Bent and all that stuff. So these greens are always rough, and with her help I’ve been able to get a few lines in.”

Yin’s season also got off to a slow start after she broke her left ankle in Austria during the offseason. The 26-year-old American won the 2023 Aon Risk Reward Challenge and said the seven-figure check gave her freedom.

Charley Hull of England plays her shot from the seventh tee during the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 23, 2024 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Hull, who recently won on the Ladies European Tour in Saudi Arabia, loves being a chaser. She finished second last week to Nelly Korda at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican and hasn’t finished outside the top 20 on tour since July.

Hull won her first LPGA title at the 2016 CME and claimed a $500,000 paycheck. When asked if the $4 million would be on her mind Sunday, she said not one bit.

“I don’t play golf for the money; I play golf for the trophies,” said Hull. “I just want to go out there and win no matter what the paycheck is. Obviously grateful for it being $4 million.”

Come-from-behind victories are rare at CME, but anything can happen with $4 million on the line

Lydia Ko won from three back in 2014.

NAPLES, Fla. – Sunday upsets are rare at the LPGA season-ender.

Lydia Ko owns the largest come-from-behind victory at the CME Group Tour Championship, coming from three back to claim the title in 2014. Since then, every winner of the CME has held at least a share of lead heading into Sunday at Tiburon Golf Club with the exception of Jin Young Ko, who came from one shot back in 2020.

While that doesn’t bode well for the chasers in Naples, Florida, it’s also worth noting that no overnight leader has gone to bed thinking about a $4 million paycheck. This is unchartered territory in the women’s game.

Lydia Ko sits on a stack of one million dollars with the CME Tour Championship trophy and the CME Race for the Globe trophy at the 2014 CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

For perspective, Lorena Ochoa owns the single-season earnings record at $4,364,994. That came in 2007 after Ochoa won eight times on the LPGA.

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

Ko, a two-time winner of the CME, said the money is the last thing on her mind this week. She simply wants to finish the season on a high note. A third-round 67 puts her at 8 under for the tournament and seven back of leaders Angel Yin and Jeeno Thitikul, who shot 9-under 63 to top the board at 15 under.

“I know [when] I won a few events – I had no idea how much the winning purse is,” said Ko when asked about if there was a check earlier in her career that was particularly impactful. “Obviously what Terry [Duffy] has done to give this kind of opportunity and the biggest purse that women’s golfers are playing for is unbelievable.

“He keeps breaking his own record and just keeps going up there. I’m excited to see how far women’s golf is going to go and I think I we deserve that. Not only in my generation, but for the future generations that are out here watching us play.

“But yeah … I think the coolest moment was when I guess there was that $1 million in that glass box. I remember taking a photo of it, sitting on it. That was a really cool moment.”

Five players are within five shots of the lead, including Ruoning Yin at 12 under, Charley Hull and Narin An at 11 under and Lucy Li and Nataliya Guseva at 10 under.

After further review, LPGA’s Angel Yin cleared from any rules infraction, leads CME by two

Yin has now pulled her second shot in the water on the fourth hole two days in a row.

NAPLES, Fla. — After second-round leader Angel Yin signed her scorecard at the CME Group Tour Championship, she and her caddie rode off with LPGA rules official Sue Witters to review footage from the fourth hole.

The question centered around a drop Yin took on the par 4 after hitting her second shot in the water. There was concern that she’d taken the drop closer than allowed. Yin would go on to get up-and-down for bogey, making a six-foot putt.

“They wanted to ask me about the process of the drop, and if I used all my resources to be able to come to a determination of where I crossed and how I took my drop,” said Yin.

“So we talked it through. We even brought Narin (An) and (caddie) Justin (Dunbar) in, everybody from the group.”

After completing the review, LPGA officials determined that no further action was required and Yin maintained her two-stroke lead.

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

“I think everybody is trying to hold up integrity and the rules of golf because it would be bad if we cheat, so we don’t want that,” said Yin.

“And anyway, we talked it through. It was all good.”

And the crowd goes wild for another @angelyinlol birdie 👏 pic.twitter.com/Ma3s7X7YPD

— LPGA (@LPGA) November 22, 2024

Yin’s second-round 69 puts her at 10 under for the tournament and two shots ahead of Hye-Jin Choi (68) and An (72). World No. 1 Nelly Korda shot 66 and trails by four along with 2023 CME champion Amy Yang, Jeeno Thitikul, Ruoning Yin and Ayaka Furue.

The winner of the CME will claim a record-breaking $4 million paycheck. Yin, 26, won for the first time on the LPGA last season and has earned $5.2 million over the course of her LPGA career.

Yin has now pulled her second shot in the water on the fourth hole two days in a row and had hoped to hit the range after the round on Friday but ran out of daylight.

Watch: One way or the ‘otter,’ there’s animals galore at 2024 CME Group Tour Championship

Tiburon Golf Club has had a slew of creatures roaming the fairways and greens this week.

Tiburon Golf Club, host of the CME Group Tour Championship, has had a slew of creatures roaming the fairways and greens this week.

On Friday, a river otter interrupted play on the 13th green, scampering across the putting surface before trudging across a bunker.

Well… this otter could’ve at least raked the bunker 🦦 pic.twitter.com/O8zDp7TH3b

— LPGA (@LPGA) November 22, 2024

It’s not just the otters. There’s also been several squirrel sightings at Tiburon.

And then there’s the members of the animal kingdom you definitely don’t want to mess with, like this alligator.

Nelly Korda surges into contention for eighth LPGA title of 2024 at CME Group Tour Championship

“Golf is just crazy,” said Korda. “Always humbles you, but that’s what you love so much about it.”

NAPLES, Fla. — Nelly Korda, for all her otherworldly talent, echoed the masses on Friday at the CME Group Tour Championship.

“Golf is just crazy,” said Korda. “You go from playing so well last week to not being able to find the center of the club face yesterday. Always humbles you, but that’s what you love so much about it.”

Korda rebounded from an opening 72 with a dazzling 6-under 66 at Tiburon Golf Club on a sunny, windswept day in south Florida. The bogey-free round included a hole-out for eagle on the third hole.

The World No. 1 headed to the range after Thursday’s round and came away with one simple swing thought.

“I get kind of like slung open, and then when I swing my face open, then I just don’t hinge properly,” she said.

“So going straight back, which in a sense is like a closing club face on the way back, and then just hinging puts me in a good spot on the top.”

A hole out for eagle from the rough?!? @NellyKorda is UNREAL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Bj4VZo71kF

— LPGA (@LPGA) November 22, 2024

Armed with a good plan, Korda headed back for a little room service and some much-needed rest. Her physio, Kim Baughman, came by to knock on the door early Friday morning for treatment on her neck.

“It’s getting better every day, yeah,” said Korda, who skipped the tour’s fall Asian swing after suffering the injury. “Doing a lot of rehab still with Kim, strengthening.”

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

A seven-time winner on tour this season, Korda tops the LPGA’s money list with $4,164,430 but can nearly double that total with an historic $4 million winner’s check this week. Korda currently holds a share of fourth.

The first American to win seven times in a season since Beth Daniel in 1990, should she go on to win this week, Korda would be the first American to win eight times in a season since Nancy Lopez in 1979.

It’s also worth noting Korda came from behind to win four times this season, the most of since Jane Geddes in 1987.

LPGA major champion Sophia Popov makes debut as on-course reporter at CME

This is her first gig doing on-course work during a golf telecast.

NAPLES, Fla. — Sophia Popov woke up at 6 a.m. Thursday fired up to get to the first tee. She wasn’t nervous about the narrow opening shot at Tiburon Golf Club, however, because this time, she didn’t have to hit it.

Popov, 32, instead had on a headset as she went to work as an on-course commentator for the first time for ESPN. The 2020 AIG Women’s British Open champion is part of this week’s Featured Groups coverage at the LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. She has twice commentated in the booth for other networks during the 2015 and 2024 Solheim Cups.

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

“I’ve always thought about this as a career and I really want to do it,” said Popov, “and I think this is definitely where I see my future. But at the same time, I feel like my game has actually kind of come together towards the end of the year. I definitely would like to play another year and then kind of see how the year goes, and ease out of playing and more into broadcast and not make it a hard stop.”

Popov gave birth to daughter Maya Mae Mehles in June 2023 and returned to the tour in March.

Will Haskett and Amanda Blumenherst are in the studio for this week’s Featured Groups coverage while Chantel McCabe joins Popov on the course.

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CME Group Tour Championship’s $4 million winner’s prize both historic, life-changing on LPGA

Imagine what that kind of many can do.

NAPLES, Fla. — Before Angel Yin took any questions from the press on Thursday at the CME Group Tour Championship, she had her manager run to get her shades. Yin has an endorsement with a South Korean sunglasses company and wanted to make sure they were in the camera shot.

For a while, sponsorships were hard to come by for the always-entertaining Yin. She’d gone four years without a logo, and while she felt desperate about it at times, made the best of the situation. When Yin won the Aon Risk Reward Challenge at the end of 2023, she took home a $1 million bonus check.

This week, she could leave Naples with a record $4 million winner’s prize.

“It got my freedom,” said Yin of how last year’s seven-figure check changed her life. “Allowed me to hire people that I want, add more members to my team this year.”

Yin opened with a 7-under 65 at Tiburon Golf Club to trail leader Narin An by one stroke. LPGA Hall of Fame member Lydia Ko holds a share of fifth after an opening 67. No. 1 Nelly Korda, who won her seventh title last week, opened with an even-par 72.

Bailey Tardy remembers earning $30,000 for winning on the Epson Tour three years ago and thinking, “Wow, I’m set.”

“Then you kind of see how quickly the money depletes when you’re traveling on the road so much,” she said.

Bailey Tardy of the United States is presented the Rolex First Time Winner’s Award during the 2024 LPGA Rolex Players Awards at Tiburon Golf Club on November 20, 2024 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Fast forward to January 2024 when Tardy bought a house.

“I’d never had rent more than $1,000,” she said. “My mortgage is like $2,000 and I was really stressed about – not how I was going to pay for it – but managing my money on the road and then also being able to pay for my mortgage.”

Winning in March of this year took care of that when she earned $330,000 at the Blue Bay LPGA. She set aside her mortgage and utilities for the year and felt the financial stress lift away.

More money than three of the men’s majors

Imagine then, what $4 million could do. The runner-up this week earns $1 million and last place is guaranteed $55,000 of the $11 million purse.

“This $4 million prize is bigger than three out of the four men’s majors,” said LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, “and it’s what our players deserve. We’re super proud that we’re here.”

Lexi Thompson’s first big check came early. She was only 16 when she won the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic and the $195,000 winner’s prize. Thompson bought a black Camaro SS with custom body kit, billet grille and chrome rims.

“I actually still have it,” said Thompson. “My mom drives it.”

Andrea Lee’s biggest career check came earlier this year at the U.S. Women’s Open when she finished in a share of third and earned $664,778.

Lee, who still lives at home with her parents, describes herself as a saver.

“I think my parents have instilled that in me,” said Lee, who’s putting away for retirement. I won’t be playing my entire life, maybe 10 more years or so.

“Money is not going to always come my way, gotta save up as much as I can.”

‘Exciting to me to give away that $4 million’

CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Terry Duffy has been at the forefront of LPGA growth for some time, pushing prize funds into unprecedented territory.

On Wednesday, the LPGA and CME announced an extension of the CME Group Tour Championship and the season-long Race to the CME Globe through 2027.

“It’s exciting to me to give away that $4 million,” said Duffy, “and I hope I‘m turning on the TV in a few years and someone is giving them $10 million.”