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Column: ‘I’m good enough to compete.’ Allisen Corpuz flourishing in second year on LPGA Tour

Allisen Corpuz poses with the winner's trophy after the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

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Allisen Corpuz’s academic resume at USC was even more impressive than her formidable achievements on the golf course.

Twice an All-American pick and ranked No. 1 nationally as a fifth-year senior, Corpuz also earned an undergraduate degree in business administration, a master’s in global supply chain management, and graduate certificates in business analytics sustainability and business.

“And it wasn’t like she was just skating by in those classes. She was getting As, A-minuses, B-pluses, a very high GPA,” said USC coach Justin Silverstein, who began watching Corpuz when she was in eighth grade. “She took it very seriously. Her mom and dad did a phenomenal job training her for that. She got every inch she could out of this university.”

Now in her second season on the LPGA tour, Corpuz is adding significant accomplishments to her golf resume and is poised to make her mark on a competitive tour that has crowned 23 first-time winners the last two seasons.

Allisen Corpuz poses with the winner's trophy after the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Allisen Corpuz wins U.S. Women’s Open for first LPGA title

Allisen Corpuz wins the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach by three shots, the first LPGA title for the 25-year-old from Hawaii who starred at USC.

July 9, 2023

Corpuz, who grew up in Hawaii but calls Southern California and the Rolling Hills Country Club her base, convincingly won the U.S. Women’s Open at legendary Pebble Beach in July for her first career tour victory. She was the only player in the field who shot under par all four days, compiling a nine-under 279 on the strength of a dominant final round.

With that mastery came a $2 million prize — the largest ever for the winner of an LPGA major — and chances to represent the U.S. in the Solheim Cup and the Grant Thornton Invitational, a team event that brings together top LPGA and PGA players.

Corpuz leads the LPGA money list with $3,017, 771, ahead of Lilia Vu of Fountain Valley and UCLA ($2.76 million). Corpuz has recorded five top-10 finishes this season and is primed to add another at this weekend’s ANNIKA tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla.

Corpuz finished third behind Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson last year at the prestigious event named for Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, so she’s familiar with the course. The last year’s experience should help her conquer any challenges that arise.

“I played really solid at Pelican last year, and so I think it was the course that really suited my game. Really like how it looks,” Corpuz said during a video news conference. “I think a lot of Florida courses look similar to Hawaii courses. The Bermuda [grass] and a few of the holes have the water running along the sides. Pretty wide open fairways and just need to be a little more, I guess, focused on your approach shots. I had the putter going pretty well there and just overall liked the course design.”

Her growth the last year has taken place mostly in her head. After playing five straight weeks last season and feeling exhausted, she learned to pace herself and figure out which courses best fit her style. “This year was a lot of mental work, honestly,” she said. “My rookie year was more just getting comfortable, learning what a tournament week looks like.

Allisen Corpuz hits from a bunker on the 12th hole during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open.

“Just coming out and telling myself that I’m good enough to compete. I’ve been playing well and been working hard. I think that was the biggest game-changer for me.”

The daughter of a Filipino father, Marcos, and Korean mother, May, Corpuz began playing golf when she was 4. She said she was terrible at first but she was a quick learner: She was 10 years, three months and nine days old in 2008 when she broke Michelle Wie West’s record as the youngest qualifier in U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links history.

She went on to thrive at USC, invigorated by her studies and the golf team’s excellence. “Just having the time to mature and grow, I think, helped a lot,” said Corpuz, who had a USC logo on her golf bag and on the yardage book she had in her back pocket when she won at Pebble Beach.

Silverstein said Corpuz’s ballstriking with her irons was among the best the program had witnessed.

“And her yardage knowledge is the best we’ve ever seen, her ability to control her distance not on full shots is super, super elite,” he said. “Those two aspects combined made her the best iron player we’ve ever had here. And one thing about iron play is it travels. It goes site to site. There is no course in the world where good iron play doesn’t help you. So we knew if she carried that on to professional golf, and then elevated the other parts of her game a little bit, she was going to be a very elite professional golfer.”

She’s approaching that level. “I think she’s got potential to be a top-five player in the world, if not the No. 1 player in the world,” Silverstein said. “She’s very advanced with her mental skills. She’s very self aware outside of golf but also on the golf course, so I think that will enable her to be very consistent with her golf.

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 31: Jennifer Chang of the USC Trojans tees off the sixth tee during day three of the 2018 East Lake Cup at East Lake Golf Club on October 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

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“And if her iron play stays at that level even when she’s not super sharp, she’ll be able to make cuts. To get your ranking as high as she’s looking for it to get, simply making cuts and finishing in the top 30, 40 on your off weeks — and I’m using air quotes when I say off weeks — is important because you’re still stacking points and money.”

Success hasn’t changed Corpuz. She hasn’t blown her new wealth on cars or other big-ticket indulgences, and she recognized her Pebble Beach victory as a potential launching pad for a triumphant career, not a final destination. The magnitude of her victory is still sinking in.

“I think the more that I hear from other people how much fun they had watching me on TV, just having Pebble Beach hosting a women’s tournament, I think it just becomes more special the more I hear it,” she said.

Imagine that: The little girl who thought she was terrible at golf is all grown up and ready to make a big impact on the sport.

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Helene Elliott was with the Los Angeles Times’ Sports department from 1989 to 2024, first as a staff writer and then, starting in 2006, as a columnist. She became the first female journalist to be honored with a plaque in the Hall of Fame of a major professional sport as the 2005 winner of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson Award, awarded to writers “who have brought honor to journalism and to hockey.” A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she has covered 18 Olympics.

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USC Women's Golf: Ex-Trojan Wins First Major Championship

Author: Alex Kirschenbaum

Former USC Trojans standout Allisen Corpuz just claimed her first win since turning pro on the LPGA tour -- and it wasn't just any win, it was a major with a record $2 million payout!

The 5'9" 25-year-old rose to a career-best (so far) eighth in world rankings with the victory.

Winning a major during just her second season in the big leagues, against one of the most competitive fields of the year, is quite the feat for Corpuz, who admittedly was a standout while with the Trojans.

That USC tweet mentions that Corpuz is the second USC women's golfer in history to hoist a major trophy. The first, Sophia Popov, won her lone major to dat at the 2020 Women’s British Open.

Corpuz put the finishing touches on what will hopefully be her first win of many on July 9th, with a closing-round 69 (-3 par for the day) to conclude her cumulative tournament tally at -9, three strokes clear of Charley Hull and Jiyai Shin, who both exited the 18th hole with -6 marks for the tournament overall.

There's evidence that this victory is just the start of what could be a very decorated pro golf career for the former Trojan. Corpuz has also notched two other top-15 finishes in women's majors this year. She tied for fourth in the Chevron Championship, thus netting another piece of a lucrative purse, and was tied for a 15th place finish at the Women's PGA Championship.

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USC’s Corpuz Wins 78th U.S. Women’s Open by 3 Over Hull at Pebble Beach

Allisen Corpuz made her first LPGA Tour victory a major title.

The 25-year-old Corpuz, from Honolulu and USC, shot three-under-par 69 to capture the 78th Women’s U.S. Open by three strokes over Charley Hull of England and Jiyai Shin of South Korea at famed Pebble Beach Golf Links on the Monterey Peninsula.

Corpuz joined Michelle Wie West as the only major golf champions from Hawaii in the first U.S. Women’s Open played at Pebble Beach.

“It’s just a dream come true for me,” said Corpuz, who captured the professional 2014 Hawaii Women’s State Open as an amateur. “It’s really an honor to play here at Pebble Beach, let alone win. On a few holes, I was looking out at the water and it kind of reminded me of playing in Hawaii, and it relaxed me.

“There are not many places like this and I just love it. I felt comfortable playing on this course from the beginning and I believe the more I played it, the more at home I felt and the better my game got. I only hope that I can get a chance to come back and play here at Pebble Beach some time in the future.

“I was a little nervous and times, but I’m just happy to get this win for my parents, who were here. My mind is racing. I just want to move on and get better from here.”

Corpuz, the only player in the tournament to post four rounds under par at Pebble Beach, collected six birdies in the final round against three bogeys to record a winning score of nine-under-par 279.

Hull, who has won six times as a pro and twice on the LPGA Tour, eagled the second hole and added six birdies in a 66, while Shin made five birdies and a single bogey at No. 10 while shooting 68.

Bailey Tardy, who led after each of the first two rounds, closed was a disappointing 73 and was six shots behind in a tie for fourth with Nasa Hataoka of Japan, who was in the chase for much of the way before making four bogeys on the back nine in a 76.

Eighth-ranked Hoo Joo Kim of South Korea managed only a 74 and was seven down in a tie for sixth with Ayaka Furue of Japan, who had five birdies in a 69, and Hae Ran Rhu of South Korea, who made her only birdie on the first hole in a 74.

Rookie Rose Zhang of Irvine and Stanford, playing in her third professional tournament, made three birdies and three bogeys in her 72 to wind up 10 strokes behind in a tie for ninth with Maja Stark of Sweden, who had two late birdies in another 72.

Defending champion and sixth-ranked Minjee Lee of Australia closed with a 72 to finish in a tie for 13th that included ninth-ranked Xiyu Lin of China, who had a 73, while fifth-ranked Ruoning Yang of China tied for 20th after a 72, and 10th-ranked Leona Maguire stumbled to a 77 with only one birdie and tied for 31st.

For complete results, visit: https://www.lpga.com/tournaments/us-womens-open/leaderboard

LPGA star Lizette Salas' unique bond with her Latin community

Lisa D. Mickey

As Lizette Salas stood on the tee to start her week at this year's ANA Invitational, she looked down the fairway and saw dozens of faces along the ropes who looked just like her.

And for the next several hours and next several days, the pride of Azusa, California, was followed around Mission Hills Country Club step by step and shot by shot by women from the Latina Golfers Association (LGA).

Most were commuting from greater Los Angeles each day to support their homegrown star. All were there to cheer for the woman who caused them to care about a game few of them had grown up playing but had since come to love.

"Sometimes we all wear T-shirts and buttons with her name on it, and we'll walk with her and clap and cheer," said Azucena Maldonado, LGA founder.

"She knows who we are, plus there are plenty of Azusa friends, family and kids from the San Gabriel junior program following her," Maldonado added. "We're all so proud."

Salas has become the centerpiece for American golfers of Hispanic descent, especially in her East L.A. hometown of Azusa, which has a 68 percent Latin population.

But as Salas' professional stature has grown during her seven years on the LPGA Tour, where she has won once, posted 26 top-10 finishes, played on three U.S. Solheim Cup teams and earned more than $4 million in prize money, so has her reach within the community she still calls home.

"One of my goals was to create more awareness about golf where you might not think there is golf, especially in a large Hispanic community," said Salas, currently ranked No. 24 in the world.

The local San Gabriel Junior Golf program, started by her first golf instructor, Jerry Herrera, has taught 14,000 kids in 13 years. The public year-round program meets once a week at a per-child cost of $2 per session that includes professional instruction, unlimited range balls, scholastic tutoring, future-career mentoring and a variety of ways for kids to play golf.

The program began in 2006 at Azusa Greens Golf Course, where Salas' father still works in golf course maintenance and where his daughter first began hitting balls. It moved across the San Gabriel River to the nine-hole executive Rancho Duarte Golf Course in 2016, and is still turning neighborhood kids into college-bound golfers.

Not surprisingly, the player they all revere is the one who grew up like them -- the one who now sponsors the program, helped pay for a $6,400 scoreboard that doubles as a stage for guest speakers, and tells them their education is more important than any golf shot.

"Even though she travels the world with the LPGA, Lizette is active with the program and is a tremendous inspiration to the girls and boys here," said Herrera, a PGA professional and president of the San Gabriel Junior Golf program. "Whenever she shows up, the kids are giddy, but they feel very comfortable around her -- like she's one of them."

Salas does more than just show up and sign autographs. She serves on the board as secretary-treasurer and stays informed about the program's expenses. When kids in the program apply for college scholarships or apply to colleges, Salas signs letters of recommendation.

Her name is also on the program's Lizette Salas Player of the Year award for both boys and girls. And when the program added its own community traveling team this year in the PGA Junior Golf League, both the boys' and girls' teams wore Lizette Salas Team jerseys.

"The kids keep me humble," Salas said, smiling. "I always knew golf was going to be my way to college and to have a different life."

Salas was a freshman at the University of Southern California when Herrera started the program, but she has seen its impact on the lives of kids from her community.

"If I'd had a junior program like that when I was a kid, it would have given me a head start," she said.

Salas has also influenced area high school players. For the past couple of years, her high school golf coach has brought his boys' team to watch her play at the Kia Classic.

Alexa Melton, who learned to play in the San Gabriel Junior Golf program, won the Southern California Women's Amateur Championship in July. Melton, 17, will play college golf at Pepperdine University next year and hopes to follow Salas to the LPGA Tour.

"We have kids who are unbelievably talented and some of them will surpass Lizette in the future," Herrera said.

Another local junior, Briana Chacon, 17, didn't come through the San Gabriel program, but saw Salas as the player she wanted to emulate. Chacon will play college golf at the University of Oregon next year and also dreams of the LPGA after she earns her degree.

"I would always point out Lizette and the USC women's golf team to my daughter," said Oscar Chacon of Whittier, California. "I would tell her, 'Lizette is Mexican-American, just like you,' so that influence has always been there."

But it's not just juniors who have benefitted from the influence of Salas. Maldonado, who launched the Latina Golfers Association 10 years ago, knew then-college student Salas and decided to see if she could bring more Latinas to the game in the Los Angeles area by forming a golf group especially for them.

At her first 2008 meeting, 94 women showed up, along with Herrera and Salas' parents, Martha and Ramon. Maldonado began organizing regular golf clinics, lessons, play dates, nine-hole tournaments, summer golf lessons for kids, golf fashion shows, golf brunches and classes in golf etiquette. She even took golf equipment to local parks and reached out to women and children there.

"I figured I had to go to them where they were," she said.

Fast forward to 2018, and LGA has welcomed more than 1,500 Latina members from five states. The title sponsor of its annual nine-hole golf tournament this fall will be the PGA of America.

"It's validation that the golf industry is acknowledging us," Maldonado said. "I'm very proud of this because we've had an impact on the growth of the game in our community."

While most LGA members are beginners and play golf socially, are not interested in establishing a golf handicap and may not even keep score, the player who inspired them to pick up a club remains a shining star at the highest level of the sport they now love.

"Lizette has played a major role in igniting the excitement we all have in golf," Maldonado said. "Now, I can see a pipeline for Latinas -- maybe even to the LPGA for some."

Maldonado provides what she calls "comadre golf" to LGA members in a relaxed, nonjudgmental environment where everybody helps each other and beginners are nurtured, rather than made to feel inept.

That attracted local banker Gilda Pettit, who took up golf at age 50. She did it because it was her colleagues who played golf with her clients, not she. By adding the tool of golf, Pettit is now able to play with clients and in company outings, and she's established a special connection with senior staff.

"Everybody knows I'm in a golf community and that I follow Lizette Salas," said Pettit, vice president and team lead in commercial loans at City National Bank in downtown Los Angeles. "Our executives are now following Lizette on the LPGA Tour and will stop by and talk about her tournaments."

Pettit takes her clubs when she travels to meet business clients and she no longer shies away from playing golf with executives from her office. But of equal importance, she tries to share her love of the game with teenage girls from the community and show them its value for women in the workplace.

She and Maldonado have led local high school girls' teams to watch Salas compete at the LPGA's Kia Classic and ANA Invitational. Pettit believes that experience has shown the teens options.

"They're spending time with professional businesswomen and they're watching professional women golfers," Pettit said. "You can see their eyes light up as they watch Lizette play. It tells these girls they have choices, and that's powerful."

And according to the National Golf Foundation, the game's top stars do have a powerful influence on those who play.

With an estimated 24 million golfers in the United States, female participation has increased from 18 percent six years ago to a current 24 percent -- proof that more women are hitting the links.

"When tour players come from diverse backgrounds, that will have a positive influence among people from similar backgrounds to consider trying golf," said Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation.

"And if you subscribe to the theory that today's juniors will be tomorrow's golfers, then the face of golf is going to change, since about 33 percent of all juniors today are girls," Mona added.

About 37 percent of the nation's population is an ethnic minority, which includes Hispanics, said Mona, but in golf, only about 20 percent of the nation's current golf population is categorized as minority players.

"The involvement in the game among groups of people who have traditionally been under-represented in golf is critical to the future health of the game," he said. "For golf to fulfill its potential, it needs to look like America looks."

And as Salas looks into the mirror of her galleries at LPGA events throughout America, she sees many new faces.

"I don't think she really grasps the impact she has and the role she plays," Maldonado said. "Her story is our story."

Golf | Former USC player Malia Nam leads at Palos…

Golf | Former USC player Malia Nam leads at Palos Verdes in 2nd LPGA Tour start

Nam, a 24-year-old from hawaii, takes a one-stroke lead into the weekend after shooting a 2-under-par 69 on friday in the fir hills seri pak championship at palos verdes golf club.

One of seven former USC players in the field at the scenic course overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the 24-year-old Nam – from Hawaii – played more than 100 rounds on the layout during her time with Trojans.

“I’ve seen every single inch of this golf course, good and bad,” Nam said. “It’s funny, because in college I never really played well here. This is actually the first time that I think I shot consecutively under par, so I’m a bit surprised myself.”

Playing in the final group of the day to tee off on No. 10, Nam pulled even with defending champion Ruoning Yin and Madelene Sagstrom with a birdie on the par-3 sixth and took the lead with a birdie on the par-5 seventh. She parred the final two holes to finish at 8-under 134.

“It’s definitely a pretty surreal feeling seeing my name on the top of the leaderboard, especially with all the best players in the world,” Nam said. “I always knew that I can play out here, but I didn’t expect it to be so quick to see my name up on the top of the leaderboard.”

In her LPGA Tour debut in late January in Florida, she tied for 57th in the LPGA Drive On Championship.

On Friday, she rebounded after struggling in the middle of the round. She had a double bogey on the par-4 15th and a bogey on the par-4 first.

“Got a really bad break,” Nam said about 15. “The ball was like up behind the lip so I had to chip backwards.”

Yin closed eagle-birdie-birdie for a 65. The 21-year-old Chinese player began the spree with a 5-iron to 6 feet for the eagle on No. 7 and ran in a 45-footer on the par-4 eighth.

“On the front nine, the fairways are wide open and I can smoke it whenever I want,” Yin said.

Ranked fourth in the world, Yin followed her breakthrough LPGA Tour win last year at Palos Verdes with a major victory at the KMPG Women’s PGA.

Sagstrom had three late birdies in the afternoon session. The 31-year-old Swede birdied the par-5 14th and 16th and reached 7 under with a birdie on the par-3 17th.

“Happy I hung in there,” Sagstrom said. “I was steady, putting well on the greens, so I feel good about my game.”

She won the 2020 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio for her lone tour title.

Rose Zhang (68), Leona Maguire (65) and former UCLA player Alison Lee (70) were at 6 under. The 20-year-old Zhang won the Mizuho Americas Open last year in her first professional start.

Linn Grant (68) and Lauren Hartlage (71) were 5 under.

Second-ranked Nelly Korda had a late double bogey in a 67 that left her 3 under. She won the LPGA Drive On Championship in her last event.

First-round leader Maude-Aimee Leblanc followed her opening 64 with a 79 to make the cut on the number at 1 over. The only player in the field with a bogey-free opening round, the Canadian had nine bogeys in the second.

Seri Pak is the tournament host for the first time. Pak is one of the most influential players in LPGA history, a pioneer for South Korean players to follow her path.

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20 Most Beautiful LPGA Players & Influencers With Photos!

Fact Checked By Ben Jenks

If there’s anything better than golf with your buddies, it’s golf with sexy lady golfers. For some, the beer cart girl just doesn’t cut it, and we want to be around women who look great and love the game.

With Instagram providing a platform for the generic female golfer model, we want to focus on the hottest women golfers who actually golf.

To make this list, these hot golfers have to prove their stuff on the golf course and in front of a camera. We selected some current as well as past women golfers to round out this list and determine who is the sexiest golfer and the overall most beautiful LPGA player.

#10 Beatriz Recari

#9 lily muni he, #8 belen mozo, #7 michelle wie west, #6 natalie gulbis, #5 morgan pressel, #4 jessica korda, #3 lexi thompson, #2 paula creamer, #1 nelly korda, paige spiranac, blair o’neal, sharmila nicollet, veronica felibert, courtney harter, kathleen ekey, carly booth, maria verchenova.

Anna Rawson

Who Is The Prettiest LPGA Golfer?

Who is the most attractive golfer, 10 most beautiful lpga golfers.

Since looks are very subjective, I’ve listed these hot female golfers in order of their golfing accolades. I believe that skill, talent, and hard work are the sexist qualities in these beautiful golf women.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luxury Real Estate Boca Raton · Miami | Beatriz Recari (@beatrizrecari)

Top 10s: 26
Money Earned: $3,199,267
Instagram : @beatrizrecari

She began her career as an amateur at 11 years old, and her talent quickly made her stand out. Recari turned professional in 2005 and has since achieved numerous career highlights.

One of her most notable achievements was winning the 2010 Finnair Masters , her first professional title. She has also had five top-10 finishes in major championships, including a runner-up finish at the 2012 Wegmans LPGA Championship. Additionally, she has represented Europe in both the Solheim Cup and the International Crown, solidifying her as a top player in the world of golf.

However, Recari’s success on the course is not the only reason she is known as one of golf’s most beautiful women . Her elegance and poise on the course make her a joy to watch, and her passion for fitness and healthy living is an inspiration to many. Recari showcases a perfect balance of athleticism, grace, and beauty in her new high-end real estate agent career.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by lily muni he (@lilymhe)

Top 10s: 0
Money Earned: $165,409
Instagram: @lilymhe

Lily is still young and a relative newcomer to the LPGA, so it’s not surprising to see some growing pains while she adjusts. Her resume before the LPGA is promising as she picked up a win on the Symetra Tour and also won the grueling 8-round LPGA qualifying tournament.

Lily was born in China but moved to sunny San Diego when she was young. Her father introduced her to the game when she was 5, and by the time she reached high school, she was competing in U.S. Kids’ Golf and American Junior Golf Association events.

She is still an active member of the LPGA and has the support of her famous boyfriend, F1 driver Alex Albon. This is a power couple in the making.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Belen Mozo (@belenmozo)

Money Earned: $902,6020
Instagram : @belenmozo

If you ask me, Belen Mozo is one of the most talented and gorgeous women on the golf course. She hails from sunny Spain and has been making waves in the golf scene with her killer swing and charming smile. Belen has had quite an impressive career so far, with multiple wins on the Symetra Tour and 5 top-10 finishes at the LPGA Tour . She’s also represented her home country in the Olympics . But it’s not just her skills on the course that make her stand out; it’s her natural beauty and charisma that have captivated fans.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Wie West (@michellewiewest)

Top 10s: 59
Money Earned: $6,825,282
Instagram: @michellewiewest

We’ve been tracking Michelle Wie West’s career since she was just Michelle Wie. She was a bright-eyed kid who was shaking up the golf world with her talent at such a young age. She is still the youngest player to qualify for a USGA-sanctioned event and an LPGA Tour event.

Michelle turned pro just shy of her 16th birthday amidst a lot of talk about whether or not she was ready. She fueled the gossip mill further by competing in men’s PGA Tour events—none of which did she make the cut.

Her career has been consistent since then, racking up 59 top 10s. Her hard work culminated on June 22, 2014, when she won her first and only major, the U.S. Women’s Open.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natalie Gulbis (@nataliegulbis)

Top 10s: 37
Money Earned: $4,898,508
Instagram: @nataliegulbis

Another past player on the LPGA tour that deserves a spot on this list of sexy women golfers is also one of the original pin-up girls of golf. Natalie stormed onto the scene with her sultry looks and uniquely powerful swing.

Often compared to Anna Kournikova, Natalie never realized the spoils of her true potential. It’s suspected that the added pressure of life in the spotlight took its toll on this young golfer, and she could never quite wade through all the noise.

Despite not living up to expectations, she still had a very lucrative career. In only her fourth season on tour, she topped $1 million in earnings without a win! Her first and only LPGA Tour win came at the 2007 Evian Masters , where she defeated Jeong Jang on the first sudden-death playoff hole.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Morgan Pressel (@mpressel)

Top 10s: 66
Money Earned: $8,096,370
Instagram: @mpressel

This young phenom has been on our golf radar since 2001, when she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at the tender age of 12! She promptly turned pro at 17 by special exemption— the LPGA requires players to be at least 18.

At the age of 18, she became the youngest winner of an LPGA event by capturing the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship —now known as the Chevron Championship, which is one of the five majors on the LPGA. Lydia Ko has since beaten this record in 2015.

Morgan went on to produce more than 60 top 10s and another victory at the Kapalua LPGA Classic in 2008. Currently, she serves as a commentator for The Golf Channel and is an on-course advisor for the LPGA, PGA, and USGA events.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Korda (@thejessicakorda)

Top 10s: 50
Money Earned: $7,543,454
Instagram: @thejessicakorda

Jessica is the elder sibling to Nelly and was the first of the family to break on to the LPGA Tour. She did so in style by finishing second in the Q-school while she was only 17 years old. Her first win came in 2012 at the Women’s Australian Open, where she defeated five other players in a playoff on Sunday afternoon.

Jessica had a lot of success as an amateur, and while that has translated into six wins over the last ten years, she doesn’t have the earnings you might think. Inconsistent play is to blame, as she has missed plenty of cuts in her day.

Her most recent win came in 2021 at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions , where she carded a -24 and beat rising star Danielle Kang in a playoff. Jessica is still an active member on tour and is looking to increase the number of trophies on her mantle.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lexi Thompson (@lexi)

Top 10s: 85
Money Earned: $13,580,468
Instagram: @lexi

Lexi has been winning golf tournaments since she was 8, starting with the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, which she won in 2003 and 2004. She is also a prodigy, having turned pro at the age of 15.

Her first LPGA Tour win came at the Navistar LPGA Classic when she was only 16 . Her first major came at the age of 19 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, which is now known as the Chevron Championship.

From 2013 to 2019, Lexi has at least one win each season. Although it has been a few years since we’ve seen her in the winner’s circle, she is always a threat and continues to rack up top 10s. In 2022 alone, she has three runner-up finishes which means she is due for a win any day now.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paula Creamer (@paulacreamer1)

Top 10s: 104
Money Earned: $12,152,519
Instagram: @paulacreamer1

Paula has been an active member of the LPGA Tour for almost 20 years , and she’s been one of the hottest female golfers the whole time. With a smile like that combined with her skills, it’s no wonder she is number 2 on our list of talented and hot women golfers.

Turning pro in 2005, she won in her first season as a member of the LPGA. She won by one stroke over Jeong Jang and Gloria Park in the Sybase Classic. This got her tons of attention, and she parlayed the momentum into many more successful seasons.

Her best came in 2008 when she won four times and made over $1.8 million. She has one major to her name—the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open. She won by four strokes on a challenging Oakmont Country Club track.

In recent years, she has struggled to recapture her early successes but can still be seen teeing it up on tour.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nelly (@nellykorda)

Top 10s: 46
Money Earned: $7,539,477
Instagram: @nellykorda

It’s safe to say that Nelly’s career is just getting started. Many recognize her as the best-looking female golfer, but few realize that she has the potential to be the best female golfer, period.

She and her sister Jessica are daughters of professional tennis players Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtová. Nelly and Jessica’s brother Sebastian also plays professional tennis and recorded his first win at the 2021 Emilia-Romagna Open. Talk about an athletic family.

Nelly’s first win was at the 2018 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship , and she hasn’t looked back since. She has won at least once in all her LPGA Tour seasons and captured a major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in 2021.

While she only has one major right now, she continues to knock on the door and pressure anyone who’s leading.

Most Beautiful Pro Golfers

Some of the most beautiful female golfers are more famous on social media than they are for their golf prowess. Although they have aspirations to make it to the big show (or had brief stints), their looks are already world-class, and we hope to see more of them on TV and not just on our phones.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paige Spiranac (@_paige.renee)

Instagram : @_paige.renee

Paige Spiranac’s journey from a promising junior golfer to a Division 1 college standout and eventually a professional golfer showcases her passion and talent for the sport. Her collegiate career was marked by significant achievements, including All-Mountain West Conference honors during the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons and leading San Diego State University to their first Mountain West Conference Championship in 2015.

As a professional, she claimed victory on the Cactus Tour , showcasing her competitive spirit and dedication to golf. Despite not securing a card in her LPGA Qualifying Tournament attempt, Spiranac’s performance in various tournaments, including a memorable win over the top-ranked amateur at the time, highlights her golfing prowess.

Today, Paige Spiranac is recognized for her golfing skills and as a prominent social media personality and advocate for positive change within the golf community. With millions of followers on Instagram and a successful YouTube channel, she uses her platform to share golf tips, address cyberbullying, and promote self-love.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blair O’Neal (@blaironealgolf)

Instagram: @blaironealgolf

Blair caught her big break by winning Big Break : Dominican Republic , which was a golf reality show on the Golf Channel . It was there and in golf magazines that we were first introduced to her skillset and incredible looks.

Nowadays, she focuses on modeling and working more on TV by commentating on golf events. Blair gets a spot on this list as one of the first golfers turned model, which opened the door for thousands of others, such as Paige Spiranac and Lucy Robson —who have played even less professional golf than Blair.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sharmila Nicollet | Golf (@sharmilanicollet)

Instagram: @sharmilanicollet

Although Sharmila has not played on the LPGA, her success on the Women’s Golf Association of India and the Ladies European Tour are plentiful . She started at a young age by representing India at the Asian Games in Doha in 2006 and continued to attract attention when she played with long-driving Laura Davies in a special MGF Challenge Match at the age of 16.

She turned professional at 18 years old and continued to improve on the Ladies European Tour. However, her other interests have been pulling her away from the game, so we haven’t seen much improvement from there.

Currently, she is dating Olympian Kenny Bednarek, and she is focusing on her modeling and branding. We’d love to see more of her stateside, but she has other life plans.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Veronica Felibert (@verofelibert)

Instagram: @verofelibert

Veronica is from Venezuela and has been playing golf since she was just four years old. She turned pro in 2007 and has since then racked up some impressive achievements. In 2008, she won the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School and her first tournament on the tour, the Tenerife Ladies Open.

But that’s not all; in 2013, she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open and made the cut, finishing tied for 55th place . And let’s not forget her two top-10 finishes at the Women’s British Open in 2012 and 2014.

Apart from her golf skills, Veronica is also known for her stunning looks. With her long dark hair and radiant smile, she definitely catches everyone’s eye on the course.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Courtney Harter (@courtneyharter_)

Instagram: @courtneyharter_

Courtney may be a relative newcomer to the professional golf scene, but she is already making a big name for herself. Since turning pro in 2018, she has amassed an impressive record of accolades, including a runner-up finish on the SunCoast Series (2011) and a 15th-place finish at the 2011 CN Canadian Women’s PGA Championship. This has solidified her spot as one of golf’s rising stars.

Her consistency and determination on the course have also earned her numerous top-10 finishes on the Symetra Tour , showcasing her skill and potential for future success. But she is more than just her golf career. Known for her effortless beauty and grace, she has also become one of the most beloved and admired athletes in the golfing world. Her charming and friendly personality, combined with her natural talent, make her a fan favorite and a role model.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kathleen Ekey (@ktekey)

Instagram: @ktekey

With a career spanning over a decade, Kathleen’s golf achievements have been nothing short of impressive. She started her professional career in 2009 and has since gone on to win numerous titles and accolades. Her most notable victory came in 2012 when she won the Symetra Tour Championship and secured her LPGA Tour card .

Ekey’s golf career is filled with highlights that showcase her exceptional skills and love for the game. She has represented the United States in various international tournaments , including the 2011 World University Games, where she won an individual bronze medal.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carly Booth (@carlyabooth)

Instagram: @carlyabooth

Carly has been making waves in the golfing world since her debut on the Ladies European Tour in 2009. With a career spanning over a decade, Booth has won three professional titles and represented Europe in the Solheim Cup in 2014 .

One of her most notable achievements came in 2012 when she won the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at the age of 19, becoming the youngest winner on the Ladies European Tour . She followed this up with a win at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open in 2015.

Despite facing injuries and setbacks throughout her career, Booth has remained resilient and determined, proving herself as a strong and skilled golfer. Her talent, athleticism, and beauty make her a true all-around star in the golfing world.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sandra Gal (@thesandragal)

Instagram: @thesandragal

Born in Germany, Gal began playing golf at age five and quickly developed a love and talent for the sport. She went on to attend the University of Florida, where she was a standout player on the women’s golf team and earned numerous accolades.

After turning pro in 2007, Gal has had an impressive career on the LPGA Tour. She has recorded three professional wins, including the 2011 Kia Classic , and has had multiple top-ten finishes in major championships. Her consistent play and strong dedication to the sport have earned her a spot on the European Solheim Cup team multiple times.

Aside from her golfing achievements, Gal is also widely known for her stunning beauty. She has been featured in numerous magazines and chosen as one of the “ Most Beautiful Women in Golf” by Golf.com.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maria Verchenova (@mariaverchenova)

Instagram: @mariaverchenova

Her career is studded with numerous achievements, making Maria a prominent figure in the sport. Maria started playing golf at 12, and since then, she has had a meteoric rise in her career.

One of her major career highlights is becoming the first Russian golfer to obtain full-time membership on the Ladies European Tour . She has also represented her country in multiple international tournaments, including the Rio Olympics , where she finished in the top 20 and shot a 60 in the final round!

She has also been featured in numerous golf magazines and has become a favorite among fans and media alike. Maria’s dedication to her craft and stunning looks have made her a role model for aspiring golfers, making her one of the most admired and beautiful women in golf.

Anna Rawson

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anna Rawson (@annarawson)

Instagram: @annarawson

Born and raised in Adelaide, Australia, Rawson began playing golf at the age of 13. She quickly rose to prominence as a junior golfer, winning multiple amateur tournaments and representing her country in international competitions.

After turning professional in 2004, Rawson began her journey on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour. She recorded her first top-10 finish in 2008 and went on to secure her first professional victory on the Ladies European Tour in 2009.

In addition to her golf achievements, Rawson has been featured in numerous magazines and media outlets for her striking appearance. She has posed for prestigious publications such as Sports Illustrated and has been named one of the most beautiful athletes in the world.

The prettiest LPGA golfer is Nelly Korda. Her long and lean athletic frame is hard to miss if you ever get the chance to see her in person. Her looks are only overshadowed by her incredible skill and work ethic toward advancing her career. She is a student of the game and one sexy golfer.

The most attractive golfer is Natalie Gulbis. Her bright smile and shimmering eyes grab your attention from the next town. Her eyes are so noticeable that they will grab your attention from the next town. She is also one of the most well-liked characters on tour, with her infectious personality and sharp wit.

Clint McCormick

Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni. He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint at LinkedIn , FB , his website , or [email protected] .

Clint McCormick https://www.golfspan.com/author/clint-mccormick 9 Best Golf Push Carts: Pros, Cons, Reviews
Clint McCormick https://www.golfspan.com/author/clint-mccormick How to Progress From Beginner to Playing With Clients
Clint McCormick https://www.golfspan.com/author/clint-mccormick What's The Best Way to Record Your Golf Swing?
Clint McCormick https://www.golfspan.com/author/clint-mccormick WTB Golf Clubs: Expert Feedback on Clubs for a New Golfer

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Alabama Pro Updates

Alabama golfers active on professional tours.

Updated 6-17-2024

Asterisk denotes golfer who finished college eligibility at another school.
Dicky Pride, Jason Bohn, and Spike McRoy currently have Category 35 status on PGA Tour as past champions, but are currently only eligible for 1-2 events per season.
Bud Cauley is currently on a 27-start major medical extension.
Michael Thompson has an upcoming 15-start major medical extension.

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Former USC player Malia Nam leads at Palos Verdes in 2nd career LPGA Tour start

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. (AP) — Malia Nam took a one-stroke lead into the weekend in just her second career LPGA Tour start, shooting a 2-under 69 on Friday in the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship at Palos Verdes Golf Club.

One of seven former University of Southern California players in the field at the scenic course overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the 24-year-old Nam — from Hawaii — played more than 100 rounds on the layout during her time with Trojans.

“It’s definitely a pretty surreal feeling seeing my name on the top of the leaderboard, especially with all the best players in the world.” Nam said. “I always knew that I can play out here, but I didn’t expect it to be so quick to see my name up on the top of the leaderboard.”