The LPGA is set to tee off its 2026 season in Orlando later this month, but a few notable names-particularly from Australia-won’t be making the trip. Major champions Minjee Lee and Grace Kim, along with fellow Aussie standout Hannah Green, are opting to stay home a little longer before joining the tour’s Asian swing in February.
It’s a strategic decision, and a practical one. With only one U.S.-based event on the calendar before the tour heads overseas, the trio is choosing rest and preparation over the long haul to Florida. For players who’ve already proven they can win on the biggest stages, it’s about pacing the season right-not just showing up for every tee time.
That means the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, which kicks off January 29 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, will go on without a few of its 2025 major winners. But don’t mistake their absence for a lack of firepower in the field.
This year’s tournament is shaping up to be one of the most talent-packed season openers we’ve seen in a while. Thanks to a record 29 different winners on the LPGA Tour in 2025, the event's eligibility pool is deeper than ever.
As of now, 39 LPGA pros are signed up to compete, and the entry window doesn’t close until next Tuesday at 5 p.m. EST.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul and No.
2 Nelly Korda are both set to make their season debuts in Orlando, giving fans an early look at two of the most dominant forces in the women’s game. Add in LPGA Hall of Famer and Lake Nona local Lydia Ko, and you’ve got a top-tier trio anchoring the field.
Defending champion A Lim Kim will also be back to try and go back-to-back.
But this event isn’t just about the pros. The Tournament of Champions lives up to its name with a celebrity field that brings a little extra flair to the fairways.
NBA All-Star Blake Griffin, NBC’s Dylan Dreyer, and NHL veteran Joe Pavelski-last year’s celebrity champ-are all in the mix. They’ll be joined by a crew of returning stars, including former MLB pitchers John Smoltz and Derek Lowe, Mets infielder Jeff McNeil, and tennis standout Mardy Fish.
After Orlando, the LPGA shifts gears and heads east, starting with the Honda LPGA Thailand from February 19-22, followed by stops in Singapore and China. For players like Lee, Kim, and Green, that’s when their seasons will officially begin.
So while the Aussies are sitting this one out, the stage is still set for a high-energy start to the 2026 LPGA campaign. With top-ranked talent, major winners, and a celebrity cast that brings plenty of personality, the season opener at Lake Nona promises to deliver.