A quick glance at the most recent winners on the LPGA Tour reveals not just the hottest players coming into the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, but those who have also been playing the most consistently through the first half of the season. Here’s a closer look at the players who are on an upward trend ahead of their trip to Congressional Country Club.
Minjee Lee
Already a two-time winner in 2022, Minjee Lee will be a player to watch at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The Aussie earned her second major victory in commanding fashion at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in May. The win marked her second win of the season having also won at the Cognizant Founders Cup. At Pine Needles, Lee pointed at the hard work she’s put in on all aspects of her game, including her fitness to pick up increased distance. The recommitment to her game paid off as she won by four-strokes for her second major title in as many years, having also won the Amundi Evian Championship in 2021. Lee will make her eighth appearance at this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship where she looks to pick up her first top 10.
What a clutch playoff win in Michigan!
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 19, 2022
Congratulations @JenniferKupcho, we'll see you tomorrow at Congressional. #KPMGWomensPGA pic.twitter.com/dAiHzV8nYE
Jennifer Kupcho
Jennifer Kupcho joined Lee as a multiple winner in 2022 when she won a three-way playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic. There’s nothing like a victory to provide momentum heading into a major championship. Her two wins couldn’t be more different as Kupcho took a six-stroke lead into the final round of the Chevron Championship in April, but overcame a one-stroke deficit to force a playoff on Sunday. Kupcho is making her fourth start at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship where her best finish came in a T7 in 2020 at Aronimink Golf Club.
Brooke Henderson
Since Brooke Henderson made her debut at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship as a sponsor invite in 2015, she has been perpetually grateful to the championship for the opportunity. In return, she has played well in the major championship year after year, earning her maiden major title at Sahalee Country Club in 2016. Henderson has four more top 10s at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and she’s coming off a recent win just two weeks ago at the ShopRite LPGA Classic where she found some magic with her putting, an area of her game that has eluded her in recent months. She also finished T9 at last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic.
Nelly Korda
In what will be just her third start since returning to competition after undergoing surgery to have a blood clot removed in her arm, Nelly Korda looks to defend her title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Korda earned her first major title when the championship was staged at Atlanta Athletic Club in 2021. She looked poised for her first win of the season at last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic where she held the 54-hole lead. Korda came up short in the playoff won by Kupcho but showed that her game is back and ready for a major championship test. Korda will make her sixth start at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship when she tees it up on Thursday. In addition to her win, she finished T3 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2019.
