If you woke up today, January 18, 2026, and grabbed your phone to see who hoisted a trophy on the LPGA Tour, you probably found a whole lot of... nothing.
It’s a bit of a ghost town out there right now. Honestly, it’s the "calm before the storm" week. While the DP World Tour just wrapped up a wild finish in Dubai—shoutout to Nacho Elvira for dodging a Rory McIlroy charge—the women’s professional circuit is currently in a holding pattern.
Basically, nobody won the LPGA golf today because there wasn’t a tournament scheduled.
I know, it’s kind of a letdown when you’re craving that Sunday afternoon drama. But don't put your clubs away just yet. The 2026 season is literally days away from exploding into life. If you're looking for the reigning "winner" in the literal sense of the last official event, you have to look back to the 2025 finale, but the real story is what’s happening in ten days.
The Hilton Grand Vacations Wait is Almost Over
The LPGA doesn't just "start" its season; it throws a party in Orlando. The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is the official curtain-raiser, and it kicks off on January 29 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club.
Think of this week as the final preseason prep.
The players are likely grinding on the range in Florida or fine-tuning their putting strokes in Scottsdale. Last year, A Lim Kim absolutely dominated this event. She went wire-to-wire, which is basically golf-speak for "I led from Thursday morning until Sunday night and never let anyone breathe." She held off a late-charging Nelly Korda to take home the $300,000 winner's check.
Since A Lim Kim is the defending champion, she’s technically the "winner" until someone replaces her next Sunday.
Why the 2026 Season Opener is Different
Usually, the first event of the year feels a bit rusty. Not this time. The world rankings are a total mess in the best way possible. Jeeno Thitikul is currently sitting at World No. 1, but Nelly Korda is breathing down her neck.
- Jeeno Thitikul: The Thai superstar is coming off a massive 2025.
- Nelly Korda: Always the favorite, especially on Florida turf.
- Lottie Woad: The English amateur sensation turned pro is the one everyone is whispering about.
Wait, I should mention—Minjee Lee and Grace Kim have actually already pulled out of the Lake Nona field. It's a bummer, I know. Their agents confirmed they’re skipping the opener to prep for the Asian swing later in February. It's a strategic move, but it definitely changes the vibe for the Tournament of Champions.
What Actually Happened in Golf Today?
Since the LPGA was quiet, the eyeballs were all on the Dubai Invitational.
If you want to talk about "who won today" in the broader golf world, the answer is Nacho Elvira. He survived a total rollercoaster. At one point, he had a three-shot lead, then he started leaking oil with back-to-back bogeys.
Rory McIlroy, being Rory, reeled off five straight birdies to grab a share of the lead. Then Shane Lowry jumped in. It was a three-way brawl. But then, in true golf fashion, Lowry found a bunker on the 18th, thinned his shot into the water (ouch), and Elvira stepped up with a monster birdie on 17 to seal it.
It’s the kind of Sunday drama we’re going to see on the LPGA side starting very soon.
The 2026 LPGA Roadmap: Where We’re Going
The schedule this year is pretty nuts. We’re looking at record-breaking purses. The U.S. Women's Open at Riviera in June is already being hyped as the biggest event in the history of the sport, with a $12 million purse on the line.
If you're trying to plan your TV viewing, here is the immediate path forward:
- Jan 29 - Feb 1: Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (Orlando, FL)
- Feb 19 - 22: Honda LPGA Thailand (Siam Country Club)
- Feb 26 - March 1: HSBC Women’s World Championship (Singapore)
It's a lot of travel. Players have to manage jet lag and different grass types (Florida Bermuda vs. Thailand Paspalum) within just a few weeks. That’s why some big names, like Minjee Lee, are skipping Orlando. They’d rather be 100% fresh for the $3 million Singapore event than tired for the $2.1 million Florida one.
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Business. Pure and simple.
How to Stay Ahead of the Leaderboard
If you want to be the "golf expert" in your group chat, stop looking for today's winner and start looking at the Rolex Rankings.
Jeeno Thitikul's lead at the top is narrow. A win at Lake Nona by Nelly Korda could technically flip the No. 1 spot depending on how the points fall. Also, keep an eye on Miyu Yamashita. She has been quietly crushing it on the JLPGA and is expected to make a massive splash on the main tour this year.
Actionable Next Steps for Golf Fans
Since there’s no trophy presentation to watch today, here’s how you can prep for the actual season start:
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- Check the Lake Nona Entry List: The field is limited to winners from the last two seasons. It's an elite-only club.
- Set Your Alerts: The first round of the 2026 season starts on a Thursday (Jan 29). Coverage usually begins around 12:00 PM EST on Golf Channel.
- Watch the Amateurs: The Tournament of Champions has a celebrity/amateur component. It’s actually pretty fun to see how retired MLB players and A-list celebs handle the pressure of playing alongside world-class pros.
The LPGA may be quiet today, but the fireworks start in Florida in less than two weeks. Get your Sunday afternoon couch spots ready.