No Laying Up - Golf Podcast - 953: 2025 LPGA Season Kickoff

Episode Date: February 6, 2025

Randy, Cody and Jordan are back with our first LPGA podcast of 2025. We take a look at the LPGA and women's amateur event schedules, play a few rounds of buy-sell-hold with some of the biggest names in women's golf, and then make our predictions for some of the biggest events in 2025. This LPGA-focused podcast is sponsored by Titleist. Check out the new 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x Subscribe to the No Laying Up Podcast channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLayingUpPodcast If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining The Nest: No Laying Up’s community of avid golfers. Nest members help us maintain our light commercial interruptions (3 minutes of ads per 90 minutes of content) and receive access to exclusive content, discounts in the pro shop, and an annual member gift. It’s a $90 annual membership, and you can sign up or learn more at nolayingup.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Be the right club. Be the right club today. That's better than most. How about in? That is better than most. Better than most. Expect anything different? better than most expect anything different ladies and gentlemen welcome into the no laying up golf podcast my name is randy and we are going to kick off the lpga 2025 season and to help me do it i'm joined by cody mcbride and jordan p. We were going to be joined by TC, but he's hurt today. He's down, deactivated, but we have a great show ahead. Let me introduce

these to Cody. Good morning. Good afternoon. What's going on with you? It's a great day, Biggie. I'm excited to be talking LPGA golf. You know, we had a busy January. We know our season preview in the past has come out a little bit earlier, but the boys have been busy. I was down in South America and Argentina trip, then a big week last week at Pebble. So unfortunately, we missed. We didn't have predictions in time for the, you know, the big Hilton kickoff event. But I think we're doing a pretty good job here. I'm excited for the season to get

going. We have some awesome venues and you know, I'm just pumped. It's one of my favorite things that I get to do at No Laying Up, Biggie. And also joining us, Jordan Perez. Jordan, what's going on? Gentlemen, I'm thrilled to be back on your program. Thank you so much for having me. Additionally, yes, I will echo that, Cody.

This is one of my favorite things I get to do at NLU. I think we're parachuting in at the right time, honestly. I mean, this is when things are really getting started. Exactly. I think we all had A-lim Kim winning at least once this year. So we'll give ourselves that prediction. Randy, yeah, I think I think we're fine there. Right. But one thing before we go on too far, just want to give a quick shout out to the fact that A-lim Kim and her new 2025 Pro V1 golf ball,

they're an undefeated duo so far this season. She moved to that new model after doing testing in Korea over the off season, seems to be a pretty solid fit so far. The only player to shoot all four rounds in the 60s. She made a field best 24 birdies, and she led in total driving and par five scoring. It's incredible stuff for this new golf ball. And she wasn't the only player to move to the new golf ball last week. Megan Kang and

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Thank you for getting me through that big. Exceptional ad read there, Cody. We got, I can't wait to know, you know, these names, man, the names are, they keep you on your toes and just people listening to this aren't going to know the difference, but clearly people that watch this on the YouTube channel, we also have a no laying up podcast, YouTube channel. You can watch all this. They're going to see a couple of jump cuts in there.

Okay. Add a couple, uh, you know, false start little pump fake here, trying to get through some of the names, but of course, thank you to titleists. Absolutely. I was joking about Alim Kim, but congrats to her. She won the season opening tournament of champions down in Orlando. Her second win in just a few months,

she won last November out in Hawaii. Her other LPGA win was the 2020 US Women's Open. So perhaps a bit of a breakout coming for A-lim Kim. We'll see if she makes any of our predictions. We have a good show ahead. I want to kind of block one. I want to get into a calendar discussion. Block two, I want to get into some players.

We're going to buy sell. We're going to go through the current top 10 who we think is going to move in and move out. Some other stuff, rookies to watch. And then block three will be our official season- predictions. Before we dive in though guys, Cody, I'll start with you. Any updates if folks are asking, hey, what's the plan for women's golf content this year? Let's talk about, you know, what are going to be some of our bigger weeks and then Jordan, I want to bring you in because I think one of the things we are hoping to do this year is do

some deep dives and some real player spotlights as as Sally and KVV and the boys have been doing with the men's game. So Cody, what I know we always look forward to AIG women's open week, but it's fun. You got a couple majors this year in your backyard. I do. So we got quite a, You got a couple majors this year in your backyard. I do. So we got quite a, we got a lot of stuff going on, Biggie. I think this is gonna be, you know,

our kind of second or third year really diving in and investing into the LPGA schedule. And I think this is the year that we're kinda gonna see a lot of the fruits of our efforts, our labor paying off for us. So specifically for us, we're going to have live shows focused around all the majors that count. No offense to Evian, but in order for Evian to actually count, LC or Nelly or Lydia, Rose, somebody needs to win this. No offense to all the great champions out there, but

that's where Evian currently sits I'm gonna make my way down. I'll be at Chevron again. I was there a couple days early Last year I plan on doing the exact same thing this year Hopefully get some good player insight maybe pick up a couple interviews, but we will also be live that week So normal live show schedules just like we did last year for the best women in the game of golf. So we're going to run basically Friday live shows and then as well as the normal Sunday shows. But a couple of these events, we might actually move to Saturday instead of Friday, just because we want to try some things out. We're trying to figure out if people enjoy having like a 36

hole check-in or if people more want, hey, I haven't really had the chance to tune in so far to the event this week, tell me what I need to know to set me up to watch and enjoy this final round. So we're gonna try a couple things out this year, but we're gonna be here providing the best coverage that we possibly can at the best events that we can on the LPGA calendar.

We mentioned Frisco, we'll have content aroundGA calendar. We mentioned Frisco. We'll have content around Frisco. We mentioned, well, we haven't really mentioned it yet, but Aaron Hills, Deeges backyard, we're going to be there that week. So we don't know how long yet, but we definitely will have a presence on site. And then of course, Randy, I don't know how many different layers of, of rain gear, maybe wind protection. I don't know, but we're going to Wales. I haven't been to Wales yet. I know you haven't been to Wales and I'm excited to go. We're going to check it out, do our normal thing there at the AIG Women's Open that we're very,

very excited about. And it's going to be an awesome year. No Solheim Cup, but we got the international crown back on the calendar in Korea. Who knows what you'll see from us in the fall, but I'm excited because it's a really good year, some good venues, venues that we haven't seen yet. And we're going to talk about Field Ranch, but we got a lot on the agenda. We do, we do well said. And Jordan, I mentioned we are efforting,

I would say at least three, hopefully four, what we'll call deep dives, focusing on women's golf. We were actually just meeting earlier this week, but you're gonna play a big role in these. And I can tease, I think the first one is gonna be a history, a look into the history of the US Women's Open. But tell me what else is potentially on the plate this year and how

excited are you for this assignment? Big, I'm amped. I'm so glad I get to sprinkle these in through all the fun that you guys are having this year. No, deep dives are awesome. And when we did our AIG Women's Open one, that was some of the most fun I had last year. So, so stoked to run it back, this time a little bit bigger. So as you were saying, US Swim is open, deep dive, we'll kind of headline it. Do we want to give all of them away? Like do we want to give them away?

No, you don't have to give them all away, but maybe what's one that's on your radar that you're looking forward to? I am really looking forward to the Laura Davies one. I think that one is going to be pretty sick. Yeah, I don't know if we've told you this before, but you know, you know, Randy and I, we did a full interview with Laura Davies one time and didn't even publish it.

The lost tapes never saw the light. I do remember nothing to do with Laura. Just kind of our our problem. Yeah, Jordan, we're super looking forward to this. I think women's golf is obviously a very ripe area to get into the characters, stories, events that built and paved the way to where the women's game is now. So with that said, let's let's dive into a little bit of calendar discussion. I mean, Cody, you kind of highlighted the majors for us. I just want to double down and reaffirm how important major venues are. You know, I think it's the one thing

in talking to players, especially caddies, when these majors get to big venues and important venues, big venues and important venues. It's almost impossible to understate, I think how important that is for the women's game. And so if I could twitch my nose and change anything, it might be looking at the two LPGA majors, the Chevron and the Evian, that every year at the same course, and quite frankly, I don't think rise to the level

of what we would expect a major championship venue to be across golf. That's no direct shade at the club at Carlton Woods and the Woodlands, but it's not. In my opinion, I think the other three LPGA majors, the US Women's Open, the PGA Championship and the Women's British Open, that's kind of where the most important weeks reside. And as you said, we get to go back to Aaron Hills. It's the first time we'll have seen a championship there since Brian Harmon and the men played it several years ago.

Fields Ranch, I'm curious, let's talk about Fields Ranch, because this is going to be the first time we've seen the men or the women compete at Fields Ranch, the East course there in Frisco. But it's a very important venue because we're going to see a lot of it in the coming years. Yeah, you're right. I mean, we've had... So they have hosted one major championship so far. That was the year that they opened and it was the senior men's PGA. Okay, no disrespect to the old.

PGA championship. So it's interesting. You know, I think it's gonna set up a lot better for the women than it will when the men's PGA championship rolls in there, but we're gonna see a lot of it. I think it's very interesting that just a bit decision that we went from last year at Sahale and just the sheer look of everything. The difference is to being in North Texas in June, it's going to be light and day, tough for Amy Yang to defend at a place that has zero similarities

at all. But I'm excited. Like you said, we're going to end up seeing this location a lot. This year is, of course, the women's KPMG PGA Championship in 2027. It's the first time that the men have the crack there at the PGA Championship. The olds are back in 2029 and then the women are right back there in 2031. So we're going to see this a lot. And I think it's, you know, I like it when you have staples and kind of this rotating, I don't know, venues and a nice rota that makes sense. I don't know really where the PGA of America is at with this rota or how it's all going to really fill in. I don't think

they have really have a clear or defined path kind of like the USGA does on the women's side. But I don't know. I think it's going to be extremely firm and fast hot golf course. It's a ball strikers. You know, you don't have to hit the ball crazy far because everything's going to run out and kind of funnel into the same spot. You have to be extremely accurate with your irons coming in because you have very, very firm greens that are going to run lightning fast with a lot of pitch in them. So I'm

just excited for it. I don't know. It's one of those things where in talking and trying to get our stuff set up, I just really wanted to make sure that we found a spot with with a lot of air conditioning because it's going to be hot. It's going to be so hot that week. So we'll see. Yeah. Juxtapose that with Aaron Hills for the US Women's Open. And I'm hoping we see a bit of the wind and conditions play a factor there. Cause that's notoriously what was absent when the men went there. Gosh, I'm trying to remember what year that was, 2017, 20. Anyway, so that could be, again,

an interesting venue for the women. Of course, that we're pretty familiar with, you know, it can be a big ballpark, feels like a big ballpark, is like a big ballpark is a great piece of land up there in Wisconsin. So very much looking forward to that. And then Royal Porth Call in Wales, as you mentioned, they've hosted some senior open championships, they've hosted some British amateur championships, but this will be the first time the women have been there, the men, the regular British Open,

of course, has not been there. So kind of a fun, unique venue in the sense that it's going to be a lot more eyes on a place that I think a lot of people aren't that familiar with. And famously, you know, we were asking our friends, Catherine Downs and Ian Carter and the gang, you know, what can we expect? And they all said, I think the most recent senior open that was there, they were like, it was the worst weather we've ever been a part of. So if we get that kind of weather, oh boy, I'm not sure what to make of that. We'll see. We'll see who's the mutter. That was 2017 at Aaron Hills when Brooks won just to save you there. And then you're right

on Porth call. I will say in Brian Harmon, did Brian Harmon finish runner up? Yeah, it was Brooks that won. Yeah, correct. So I think the women's open conditions are gonna be definitely in play here, but I kind of like the fact that we're back

at the end of July, that first week of August, because I know between the Olympics last year and then scheduling at Walton Heath the year before and both of them, Solheim Cup years, it kind of messed up the overall schedule. But I'm happy where it's at now because number one, I don't have to leave the first week that my kids are back in school again. And number two, I think it's kind of a, a, a perfect cap to an incredible two, two and a half months at the LPGA tour has there. It's,

it's almost like major championship, regular event, major championship, week off, regular event, major championship. They just kind of all stack up there one after the other. So it's going to be a great run there. Yeah. It feels kind of like a sprint there in the middle of the schedule. Jordan, let me bring you in. What can you tell us about some of the big amateur events this year? When are they? Anything to note?

Well, you tell us what what what are the big amateur events that we need to pay attention to? It's going to be a pretty interesting season of women's amateur golf for sure. So, headlining that is Anwah April 2nd to the 5th, just before Masters week, again at Champions Retreat and Augusta National for the final round. We've got some big dogs headlining this one. Today, actually, the field was finalized. All the invitations were sent out and accepted.

So we've got Lottie Wode coming back to defend. Number two in the world, Jasmine Koo, who's been having an incredible freshman year at USC. Rianne Malikse, who won the US Junior Girls and the US Women's Am last summer. Maria Marine, who's having an incredible season at Arkansas. Meghane is coming back. She's had such a great comeback this past year. It was a great past fall for Anna Davis as well.

So just a lot of big names headlining this field. And I'm very curious to see who comes out on top. I think I still think Lottie looks pretty strong, but feels like we've got a lot more parity than we have in previous years. So super stoked for years. So, super stoked for that. No, didn't even mention Hannah Darling. Didn't even give a shout out to Rachel. It's crazy.

I'm excited that Rachel Heck got an invitation. She's running back. Yeah. Yeah. She is running it back. Sorry. Sorry, girls. Hannah Darling, who was definitely in contention last year, and Rachel Heck accepted an invite this year. So we'll be great to see all of them in ANWA this year. NCA championships are usual date, kind of that mid-May, once again, at Omni LaCosta. Jordan, who's the best collegiate golf team right now? I'm going to shock you all so much with this one.

The Sanford Cardinals once again, saw coach last week all over pebble out there cheering out Condi. It's going to be a heck of a season for them. Randy, let me ask you this. Who won the team championship last year? The team championship was won by. Was it, that was Stanford, right? Very good, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Sitting here doing research for this, I was like, oh man, Stanford's so good again, but you know, they had the Lost Rose, you know, Rachel's last season, like just didn't really work out for them. I was like, oh my goodness, they won, how did we miss it? They won again, who would have thought? No, I know, powerhouse. And then Jordan, where's the US Women's Am this year? The US Women's Am is at Bandan. So Bandan Dunes. That'll be very interesting. I'm curious to see

that. That's actually the week following the AIG Women's Open. So like you guys were saying with the scheduling, so much better this year. Very excited for that. Awesome. Cody, you had mentioned this is an international crown year. The big thing to note with the international crown, I really like this move. Kudos to the LPGA. For the first time, there's gonna be a world team. So alongside the seven qualifying countries,

of course, this is four women per team. There's gonna be a world team, this is four women per team. There's gonna be a world team, which is gonna include the top ranked player from each of the following four regions, not from a country already qualified. And those regions are the Americas, North and South, Europe, Asia, and Africa slash Oceania.

So, we're talking about, hey, Lydia Ko can now potentially compete. Brooke Henderson can now compete. I think this is a fabulous move by the LPGA. Yeah, I agree there, Biggie. I absolutely love this. Talk about trying to grow the event and bring the best players you possibly can. If you look at the standings, I think this is where we've always focused on those really

those top eight teams, but now it's the top seven teams That need to be there if you look the current standings right now You have USA number one Japan is sitting in that second place spot Korea is third Thailand is fourth Australia's fifth Sweden is sixth and only gonna gain ground China is seventh and the eighth spot is Germany China is seventh and the eighth spot is Germany. England is not there until number nine and France is bringing it in at that tenth spot. So if you go right now, the world team would be made up of Lydia Ko, Charlie Hall, Brooke Henderson, and Pai-Yuen Chen from Chinese Taipei.

Truly a rock star team. So I love the fact that you have the world team rounding this out. It brings definitely the two biggest names that we always talk about, Lydia and Brooke into an event like this. In Korea, that is absolutely mad. Not only that, it's going to be the week after the BMW Ladies International in Korea. Like it's going to be a really good, really good finishing stretch to that back end agent swing, because the front end agent swing, they can just get rid of that thing. We can figure that out later. But I'm pumped

for it. Yeah, yeah. Well said. On the not so great side. It was announced that the match play event which will be back at Shadow Creek, they're doing away with the hybrid stroke play into match play format. This year, it's just gonna be one big single elimination bracket. I kinda like the stroke play and the match play.

And then the big news recently was the Sari Pak Fur Hills Championship at Palos Verdes has been canceled. A lot of issues with a Korean underwriter. I want to give credit to Bethann Nichols. She has written a piece in Golf Week a couple of weeks ago about just what's kind of going on there. Cody or Jordan, anything to add? I was not aware of the footprint the media rights in South Korea had. That was pretty shocking to me. Yeah, it crushes the, you know, when we were in Korea a couple of years ago,

there's, I think there was four different golf channels that were playing on TV at all times. The biggest draw for women's or excuse me, the biggest draw for sports total in Korea is the KLPGA. The second biggest draw is the LPGA. Women's golf absolutely leads the way there. Yeah, they're having some underwriter issues. So I, you know, I was probably part of this mess a little bit when the announcement first came out, I jumped all over fur hills and I was like, well, what is even fur hills? Because then I went and looked at the company website and stuff.

They only have like three employees. It's a, you know, a VC firm from California that I'm, you California that they're doing the right thing that they straddle the line between US and Korean investments. They're just there to support the women's game. It's not really a them thing. It's the underwriter, which I'm pretty sure is, this was JTBC, correct? Yeah. Although, as Bethann notes, the LPGA will not officially comment.

But. OK, so for people who are confused, they JTBC, it's a South Korean television company. And basically the reason why they're the underwriter is because they hold the media rights or longtime media rights holder for the LPGA tour to play tournaments in Korea. And we talked about the revenue and everything else that comes along with women's golf in Korea. It's staggering.

Now, that name, if it sounds familiar, JTBC, it's because it's been attached. It's been a title sponsor of other LPGA events in the past. It's been a co-sponsor of other LPGA events in the past. We started really in Arizona, and then they kind of moved over to a lot of the California events. When this event, which it was spending, had such a good little run here. I know it's changed names a couple times, but incredible champions. I think it's amazing that Sayre Pock threw her name in the hat as the global ambassador of this game and said, no, I want my name

and my legacy tied to this. It's just kind of a shame that we're at where we're at. Now, it also stinks that we probably knew that this was coming for a long time and we didn't need to publish the 2025 calendar with this event on it when we knew that there was already issues. And the reason why I say that is because this isn't just a 2025 thing. They still haven't paid their bill for 2024. So there's a lot more, I think, that's going to come out from this. But I do appreciate Sayree taking it to the social. She posted on Instagram, everybody, to just kind of to hold fast, be patient. This is not a fur hills thing. This is not a venue thing. It's just the business, the backend business really of professional golf.

They're trying to get figured out here because everybody wants the same thing to happen. Yeah. A couple of new events this year, the Black Desert Championship is gonna be the very beginning of May out in Ivins, Utah at the Black Desert Resort. Jordan, no offense. I'm guessing you don't know much about that. I don't know much about that. Cody, do you know a thing about

the Black Desert Resort? Well, yeah, Matt McCarty won there last year on the PGA Tour. So it was a new PGA Tour event last year. It's got really crazy views in southern Utah with Lava Rock and the red buffs of, if you think, Moab and stuff like that. It's beautiful, but I know it's a very difficult golf course to get people around not only because of the way that it's routed, but also because this lava rock is right at dog legs and right off the rough and everything. I think they said last week, we had the PGA Tour rules officials on that the average, they give out about an average of

150 rulings per event normally on the PGA Tour, but that event last year had over 360 rulings that were handed out just because of so many balls lost off of the fairway and trying to figure out where to go. So it's going to be a slow, a slow going there, but you know, it's, it's another look at a venue that is new and wants to support women's golf. I'm all for it. Yeah. The other new event being the Riviera Maya open down at Maya Coba. That's the end of May towards the end of May, May 22nd to 25th.

Nice to have an event. I think in Mexico, Gabby Lopez was very instrumental in getting this event together. As was Lorena Ochoa, who we've talked about on this podcast from time to time, the more that she can be involved, not only in women's golf, which she is in Mexico, but the more she can be involved with the LPGA and hopefully with this tournament, I think that's ultimately a very good thing. The season will wrap up at the end of November the 20th through 23rd again in Naples, Florida, Tiburon Golf Club. Guys, anything else, Jordan, anything to add to the schedule, Cody? Anything that is pertinent? Nope.

Yeah, nothing on my end. I think, you know, I know- It's a long season. It is a long season. It very much is. I would say that the only thing, you know, trying to be fair and equal, the best that I can hear, a phenomenal LPGA season. It stretches out maybe a little bit too long with a weird break once we get the season going here. A phenomenal LPGA season, it stretches out maybe a little bit too long with a weird break in once we get the season going

here. We need to figure out what we're going to do with these dual Asian swings. And I honestly think it's one of those things. Again, I'm going to pivot back to this. I'm asking politely, because I think it is what's best for golf, women's professional golf as a whole, for the LET and the LPGA to work better together and remove this first Asian swing and just go to the locations that the LET is going to

at the beginning of their calendar, right? Cause that would bring Australia into the mix. That's three events in Australia to get their season started. You can add one of the Asian events if you want to on the back end of that. But there's something that needs to be done here while the OPGA is underpinning those events as it is. Might as well try to grow them and give it a little bit better look here. Yeah, I think that's well said. I think having one Asia swing, Asia, Australia, I mean, not only is it easier to market, it's easier for fans to kind of wrap their mind around

the schedule and how the pieces fit. Yeah, I wish they would kind of carve out this Fur Hills Championship going away this year. It really takes a chunk out of what would be a West Coast swing. I just looked to the men's game. The West Coast swing is such a important popular part of the calendar.

I wish the women could kind of build on that same success early in the year when it's cold in a lot of North America. So the calendar is though what it is. We'll see if the new commissioner has much say or you know what can be done to maybe make it more streamlined. The only other thing that I'd call out is that, you know, once we moved out of the closing ceremony when Hannah Green clipped Maya Stark of the Jam Eagle LA Championship that's normally at Wilshire, they started a renovation of it. So we're not going to have Wilshire on the calendar this year. This year that

LA Championship is played at El Cabrero Country Club. I know nothing about it. But then again, I didn't do much research on it. So it is something I just want to say we're monitoring. Okay. Yes. Yes. Well, let's move into some player discussion. The first game, let's just play it kind of a buy hold sell game. And I want to take a look at the current top 10 Jordan, I'm going to have you go first. But just so folks know, as of recording the top 10, your number one is Nelly Korda,

followed by Lydia Ko, Ronny Yin, Gino Titicum, Lilia Vu, Hannah Green, Heyron Roo, Ayaka Furuwe, Charlie Hall, and Celine Boutier. Jordan, Nelly Korda, 2025, are you buying, holding, selling Nelly Corda stock this season and why? Guys, in the name of transparency, to start off 2024, I did not buy Nelly Corda and that was really silly. It's a big deal to admit. We do appreciate you taking accountability. I'm always here to. I'm always here to.

I feel like TC should be on this podcast taking some responsibility as well. Well we're here now and I'm here to take accountability for myself. He can take accountability separately. So with that being said, it would be really foolish for me not to buy, buy, buy. Gosh, what a statistically dominant year and dominant in every way. And I just don't see that changing. She's just on such an incredible run, just seems so healthy. Yeah, I don't know.

It feels like kind of a... She just blossomed into a completely new player in certain ways and I'm excited to see what she can do in 2025. It's a lot of pressure for sure, but she seems so much more capable of it now than she had in years past of managing it and creating some consistency. So, buy all the way. Cody, are you worried Jordan is buying

into the top of the market? Can Nellie, is it possible to follow up what she did in 2024? I think it very much is possible, right? Because I think if she looks back on 2024 and there's definitely highs, there is also a lot of lows and she's talked pretty openly about that.

So a phenomenal run of a lot of events in a row that she picked up wins on, but she was disappointed. She finished the year with only one major championship and at the rate that she was going and how she was performing, it definitely was a letdown for her. So I expect more from Nellie this year. I am buying, of course, the train continues.

I'm happy to have JP on board. If only we could get TC, you know, somewhere. He's got to have a little bit more respect for her. And I know last year as the season went on, he definitely developed that. He just hasn't vocalized it that much. So I was concerned when she got hurt in the fall, I didn't know how she was going to play when she came back.

And then of course she's had a long break in the off season and came out at Hilton. And guess what guys, she took second place. I mean, she finished at 18 under. She was only two strokes back, two strokes back from, from A-Lan Kim after, you know, shooting a final round 65. Like that was just funny, silly golf for Nellie. Like who knows what the rest of the season is going to look like, especially after the great feelings that she has going going back home this week. Theoretically at a course that she's defending.

I understand it's no longer the drive on. Now it's the founders. So Rose is defending it. But I mean, Nellie's gotta feel as great as anybody else right now. It's so great to be at a point in professional women's golf where we can just see a name and just feel accustomed to seeing it at the top of the leaderboard being like, yeah, that makes sense.

Why wouldn't Nellie Cordova be there? Exactly. What about you, Big? I wrote holding. I'm holding Nellie. I think when we look back on her 2025, I don't think she's going to win seven times. I do think she's going to win a major. I think she'll win multiple times. I just think when all is said and done, it might not live up to the highs of 2024, but that's really her being a victim of a very historical run

and not necessarily indicative of like, I don't think she's still the best player in the world or anything. So I put a hold on Nelly. And you're looking at that strictly from an overall wins, I'm guessing. That's where you came to that from. Wins, yeah. I mean, honestly, I think what could tilt the scales for her is certainly two major championships.

But if she were to pick off a US Women's Open or an AIG Women's Open, like those are, in my opinion, the two crown jewels and majors that she has not won yet. So I think that could, me eclipse, you know, winning the Chevron. You know, let's say she wins five times with the US Women's Open. Like, I think that could realistically be better than the 2024 season. Tanner Iskra We ll say this. I think she's going to look at her calendar a little bit differently than she did last year. She had

stretches where she was on the road a lot and playing a lot of events. And I think she felt like she needed to or had to play in some of those. You're not going to see those crazy long stretches of Nelly Corder playing back to back to back to back weeks this year. And I think she's doing that because she realized that in order for her to show up at these the biggest weeks that they have on the LPGA season, she needed to respect it and figure out her time a lot better. So instead of peaking, really, when she peaked in the spring, hopefully we're shifting that to late May, June, July timeframe.

So that's why I say it. Because I think honestly, she's going to win a major. I think she's going to contend in a couple others. And like this year at the Founders, I know this is always how we kind of say, you know, the Founders is their players championship. If Nellie isn't in contention this week, I think it's a pretty big disappointment. Yeah, I agree. There's an outside chance with a monster year. She could qualify for the Hall of Fame, which would be something to monitor. We don't need that jinx. No, we don't need that one.

Well, speaking of Hall of Fame, let's go to Lydia Ko, number two. Cody, I'll throw this one to you. We buy and sell and are holding Lydia Ko stock. Yeah, I'm buying it. I mean, what is she doesn't have anything to lose. And well, and let me ask you, what does buying like, where can she go after a gold medal, a win at St. Andrews? It feels like, man, we may have reached that late career pinnacle. That's the only thing that makes me skeptical. Well, I know she wants the career grand slam. And that's something that she's had circled. She's been very vocal about it.

There's major championships that she hasn't really contended in that she definitely is chomping on the bit to get to. And all of this is now bonus for not only us being fans, but I think for her too, she's talked about the ebbs and flows of this professional life. And she's finally in a spot where not only is she happy personally, but also professionally and what a phenomenal year that you mentioned last year. But you know, I always thought that Lydia, you know, she might, I think we actually have to call her Dame now too, by the

way, because she was knighted or something like that. Dame Lydia loves her off seasons and usually is kind of a slow starter outside of like, you know, drive on last year. She should have won that event. Nellie ended up beating her in the playoff, but even her performance last week at Hilton comes out top 10 finishes in solo six, 13 under. I mean, her third round 65 was like, wait a second, what are we doing here? How? How are a lot of these people? I hope it's signs for form what we're going to see the rest of the year. So that's why buying it up because I think every this is just all bonuses, right? Our compound interest is finally starting to turn over and that's Lydia. interest is finally starting to turn over and that's Lydia. So just to note to complete the career Grand Slam she would need the KPMG

women's PGA and the US women's open. So a couple of big ones there. Jordan what say you about Lydia? I want to say bye as well. Yes I totally understand the fear of thinking like okay she might be in cruise control she's reached that late career pinnacle and could be chilling after the end of the year that she had last year. But she still seems hungry enough and she, in all of her candor as usual, seems like she's always searching for something within herself to varying lengths. And I think the career grinds slim is no different. So I would be interested to see what she could do at Erin Hills or at the Women's PGA. That would be really fascinating. And similar to Nellie,

I think she knows how to pace herself, knows when, how to schedule events, knows when she should test herself. And I don't know, that kind of experience and that kind of late career wisdom has only been paying off for her in the past few years on and off, give or take. So I'm definitely buying Lydia for sure. All right, I'm going to officially stick my neck out here. And I hate doing this, but I'm going to sell Lydia stock. I think it's not going to get better than last year. I think she could have a very good season, win once or twice, but it's just not going to live up to 2024. So I'm sorry to be the party pooper. I am selling Lydia Co stock, which brings me to Ronnie Yin, number three in the world, one of the 21, she might be 22 now, the young 20 somethings that

seem on the cusp of really announcing themselves week to week, year to year on the LPGA tour. Of course, she has won a major Supreme Ball Striker. The putter is just kind of, of, meh, you know, it's mediocre. If that gets going, I'm buying, I'm not, I'm not, I have no insight into her putting, so for that reason, I'm holding Roning Yin. I could see her, you know, winning a few times, kind of keeping in this three to five in the world rankings. No strong take on Roning Yin this year.

Cody, do you feel differently? No, I'm kind of there with you. I hope she gets it figured out. I think people forget that she ended up tied for second at the Women's Open last year. Phenomenal performance. And really, she was the one person on the leaderboard that's like, she didn't really make any putts. She was just kind of there. Never had that one round that she needed to send it over. I don't know. I think she gets lumped in with her best friend,

Gino a lot. And they play such different games and we're gonna get to Gino next. And how much I feel about her for some reason, I just haven't gotten there yet with Ronnie and it is the putting. So I don't know, we gotta see something first. I hope she proves us wrong though, Big,

but I'm right there with you. I hate to make it an echo chamber, but I'm also holding. I just, I, you know, yeah, I don't wanna gloss over the tie for a second at the women's open, but there's nothing there that is making me as passionate as you know, and maybe that's recency bias guys. I think I think there's a little bit of that at play, but I'm holding. Okay, well, let's go to number four, her good friend.

They won the Dow team championship last year and that's Gino Titicum. Let me just say this, I'm mega buying. For sure. This goes back to the last year. That's Gino Titicum. Let me just say this, I'm mega buying. I just goes back to the end of last year. I couldn't buy enough of this stock coming into this year. She's 21, she won the tour championship back in November. She was the shots gained total leader last year at plus 2.4. I just think, I think she is truly gonna have

a monster season. I'm curious if any of you disagree or if anybody wants to stick their neck out with a cell on Gino. No, finally healthy. I mean, she barely met the minimum rounds last year to get into that bracket just because she, she didn't play until Chevron. I mean, she had such a long rehab process getting her wrist back to where it needs to be.

We mentioned that her and Ronnie, they partnered together and then Gino ended up, you know, they both ended up getting additional victories on the year and you're right by saying this, you're basing your Gino feelings on how the season ended. So she won tour championship, right? She finished second at the Maybank Malaysia event. Do you know who won Maybank? Roddy.

So that's right. I was thinking I'm like, yeah, who won that? We're sitting here literally giving the ultimate recency bias to Gino just because of everything that comes with it. She's so good. She's so consistent. And I know that there's a lot of people been saying this for a very long time, but she is.

I think the year that Nellie had last year, Gino is finally going to get to that multiple victories, big victories, contending in more major championships, being right there when the biggest moments happen. That's the type of pedigree that Gino is. I agree. And we always talk about how high the floor is with Nellie's game. Honestly, I think Gino might have the highest floor.

And I say that you look at her top 10 percentage, it is incredible. I mean, 2023, 13 top 10s and 21 starts, followed it up last year with 13 more top 10s and just 18 starts. So she's top 10 in 26 of 41 starts over the last two seasons. And that's as a 19 and 20 year old. In a weird way, she's almost like post hype.

Like we've almost overlooked the jump that I think she's gonna make. And I hope it's this year because her and Nellie, I mean, if they kind of lift and separate from the rest of women's golf, that's gonna be a ton of fun. Number five in the world rankings right now is Lillia Vu. Cody, let me throw this one to you.

This is, I think, probably the most interesting name here in the top 10. Yeah, it's very weird that we're here talking about it and considering, you know, maybe 2024, a letdown year for her. She's still got a victory. She did a heck of a job defending her AIG Women's Open, finishing in that tie for second.

Probably should have won, honestly. Should have won that event. And I- One moment at the Solheim that went under 18. For sure. And then coming out of that just didn't really, you know, do much of anything. I mean, her lowest finish out of that was the Annika.

She barely finished, tied for 34th. Everything else was, you know, she made cuts across Asian swing, but she didn't really do anything. And then at the tour championship kind of laid an egg and finished tied for 40th. For being a champion last year, her respect of the calendar and her calendar and just completely skipping Hilton last year when she's like, you know, the second biggest name in the US for golf and you probably need that draw is definitely a questionable thing. But I'm gonna say, I'm selling Lilia Vu. I don't know what it is.

I used to be so in and now I'm just kinda like, well, I don't really know what you're what you're made of anymore. Well injuries have played a part. Jordan, I'm curious to get your opinion before I opine. What are you doing with Lilia? Last year I bought All the Way. I really was just so attached to the 2023 hype and you know it feels so strange to say that someone who had two runner-ups at a major had a disappointing year. But I don't, I mean, I don't know. I just, I also don't feel it. In the

week to week, I mean, Lillia has kind of vanished. And that's somewhat concerning. And I know injuries have played a role as well. But where is it? You know? I think this is going to be one of those years where it comes into focus a lot for Lillia and we'll really learn what she's made of because sustaining, achieving that greatness is one thing, but sustaining it is something else entirely. I wrote Cell for Lillia and it feels so harsh, but I'll stay there too. Great minds. I have a cell rating as well. I really enjoy Lillia. I still think about that interview we got to do with her, Cody. I love what she's about.

My big worry is injuries and I just feel like we're going to look back and 2023 is going to be the career year and could be the pinnacle. I'm just a little nervous about her ability week to week to compete. I would love to be wrong about this, but I am selling Lillia. Which brings us to number six, Hannah Green. I'll start here. I'm holding on Hannah Green. All right. 28 years old. Last year was a big jumper in terms of winning three times. She of course had won a major several years ago

early in her career. I was looking through her stats. She's got a bit of a kind of odd year, even year thing going with odd years being a bit down. So that gives me some pause. I don't know. She had stated a couple of years ago, her goal was to be a top 10 golfer.

She has accomplished that goal. I'm curious where she goes from here. For that reason, I'm putting a hold on her. I'm not sure how much upside there is from here for her. Jordan. How much do I have to buy? I'm buying, buying, buying. I love it. I love it.

Let's go. Yes. Give us the reason. I don't know. The BMWs was just such an incredible performance and I just feel so convinced. She's just done some really historical stuff. I mean, she's I believe the first Australian to win three times in a season since and I just feel so convinced. She's just done some really historical stuff. I mean, she's, I believe, the first Australian

to win three times in a season since Kari Webb. Like, that's no small feat. And that putter change early the year last year kind of did it for her and it was everything. I think I'm feeling good about another major this year for Hannah Green. And maybe that's sticking my neck out just a teensy bit, but I feel good about it. I truly do. It's a lot. Brandi, I'm going to cozy up right next to you,

and I'm holding on Hannah, okay? Awesome year last year. Nobody's going to take those three wins away, but there's a lot of boom and bust here, and I don't think she's going to be the top Aussie this year. I think there's a familiar name that's kind of chomping at the bit trying to take that title back. But you know how they get fired up. It's an international crown year. You know that team Aussie is going to be rocking in Korea and that motivates the shit out of them. So who knows? I hope I'm proven wrong. That's why I'm not selling here. Just holding. I think there's a lot of gas still left in that tank. But we're, you know, even though there's five major championships, you run out of them quick that you can give out. So good on you, JP. But I'm right there with Big. Guys, all I got to say is don't be a fan later when Hannah Green

plucks one off this summer. That's all I got to say. I love it. I love it, JP. And I want you to throw it in our faces. We'll roll this audio clip. Number seven is Hey Ron Rue. Cody, let me start with you here. Holding. You know, I think there's tremendous upside here. Continues to get better. You know, we've seen that she's proven that awesome win last year. I remember in Boston just after a really long stretch of golf, her showing up at a new course, kind of a big boy ballpark at TPC Boston where, you know, there's a lot of unknowns there and then, you know, just how she she plotted her way through the Asian swing, getting back-to-back top fives, and then, you know,

finishing the year strong. I'm holding there because I just, I don't know really where the floor is at. She's clearly a top 10 player in the world, but we gotta start winning a little bit more. And that's very hard when you're playing on a tour with Nellie Korda, I understand, but that's kinda where I'm at. JP? I gotta echo that too with a hold.

There were some impressive parts of the calendar that she played really well with some consistency in and it's not like she's favoring one time of the year, one side of the world more than the other and that feels really promising to me but I feel like she's at a pretty steady place at seven. So I'm holding. Guys, I'm gonna buy.

I think there's another, I think there's another level, uh, top tens out the wazoo led the tour, strokes, gain T to green ton of birdies. I think led the tour and birdies. I feel like Cody, you're right. She, you know, she's had some near misses a little bit of scar tissue, some close calls, but she has converted a few wins. And I feel like this could be a year, certainly multiple wins. And I think she climbs in the top 10 by the end of the year. So brings us summer eight Ayaka Fruway, 24 years old, consistently one of the best putters on tour.

Won the Evian last year. Statistically, her big jump was in her approach play. I feel like at 24, she's somebody that, I feel like players, commentators, they're always talking her up. So I'm gonna buy the trend that Ayaka is still ascending. Jordan, what say you? Bye, bye, bye.

And like, I know, Evian's really all the time doesn't feel like the most convincing self or major championship win, but that was a BD win for Ayaka. And yeah, statistically, one of the best potters on tour. Just I'm so excited to continue seeing what she's made out of. Bye. I'm selling. Wow. I'm selling. Wow, I love it.

Yep, I understand all the upside. I see the statistics, I recognize and appreciate her putting. It's just kind of like boom or bust. I don't necessarily know if like, on the competitive side of it, I appreciate and love the fact that she bounces back and forth between JLPGA and the LPGA tour. But I also look at like the sheer amount of events that she plays in a year. And I'm like, wow, like, maybe she could balance that out a little bit and focus, you know, focus her calendar somewhere to be able to show up and play in these big events when, when she is, everybody

wants to play most. I mean, she had a top 10 at the U S women's open. I got that. I think she finished, you know, six or T six or something like that. But outside of that, you got the Evian and it's just one of those things you got to, you got to show me, You got to show up. Let's see it. That's fair.

That's fair. Number nine. Let me throw it right back to you, Cody, Charlie Hall. I'm holding. I had a lot of stock invested in this last year. I don't know where we're at. Not quite ready to sell. We're not sure of bounds.

I can't really sell. I mean, I got a ton invested in it. Now I will say I will make one bold prediction. Like, I'm pretty sure Charlie's going to win the women's open at Porthcall. But outside of that, I don't I don't really know what else we're going to what we're going to see. But, you know, she got a new simulator and cold plunge and sauna at the house. You know, she's in love again. Who knows?

I don't think anybody really knows what Charlie ever shows up. No, I don't. Jordan, do you, what do you think? Does the women, the women's open not feel ascendant to you, Cody? Like that's, that's incredible. Like, I don't know. I, I'm all in on her breaking the streak this year. I think Porth calls the spot.

I'm, I'm buying and I don buying and I don't ever feel like abandoning my buying Charlie Hull post. It's a slight sell for me. I just feel like we're at the point, you know, she's pretty good at everything. I'm not sure what she's great at. I'm not sure what gets her kind of over the hump. Cody, if she were to win the AIG, like that's fabulous. That that kind of makes a career for I believe so. I'm not I'm not predicting that. And for that reason, I'm selling on Charlie, I think she probably ends the year just outside the top 10. But we'll get there. Let's finish with Celine Boudier. I'll start here 31

years old. Last year, she hit the ball. Well, the putter took a big step back. I'm buying. I think perhaps this could be the beginning of a bit of a decline for Celine. Jordan, I'll go to you. What do you think about Celine Boudier? Wait, you're buying, but you think it's the start of a decline? I'm sorry, selling. I misspoke there, selling. I'm selling Celine. I was so excited to feel like I was sticking my neck out once again. I'm also selling. Yeah, I don't know. Last year, for the most part, felt like it was a bit of a whiff. And we wrote

off of her winning the Evian, winning the Scottish, winning Maybank. just she just kind of disappeared somewhat. And I know she played well at the Solheim, but I just I'm I'm selling. I think she was present at the Solheim. It's one of those things where God, you're just getting beat up by that fly. Big. Oh, my goodness. Yes. Didn't like that tape. It's like the fly from Richie Rich. You don't know somebody could be in there spying on you.

But you guys, what do you think Celine started last season at, rankings wise, Rolex rankings? Big 2023. Yeah, was she fourth, fifth? She was third. She was the third best women in the game. And she at one point in time was outside of the top 10. She got down to the 12th spot before she ended up picking up the Ramco series event, believe in China.

But now is in the top. That bounce her back into the top 10. Now she's on her way out of it again. It is the putting, which is surprisingly because she goes that bounce her back into the top 10, now she's on her way out of it again. It is the putting, which is surprisingly, because she goes to the same coaches and studio that I go to and everybody talks about how much Celine beats up the indoor putting studio. And she literally has like a groove worn in

to the indoor putting mat at the Altus Academy. And it just, this wasn't the year for. And I don't think, I can't really tell or see what's gonna turn that around. It's a very weird place to be. I just don't really know where Celine's game kind of fits in anymore, especially we haven't got there yet but when you start to look at the rookie class

that's coming, we're like, you know, the power game is finally coming to the LPGA tour in mass. And you have the players like Celine, who is very accurate and her strength used to be your putting. And now that's no longer there. I just don't know where those people fit in at. Yeah, that's all well said. All right. Well, there's your top 10 as it stands at the moment.

Guys, let's go here. When we finish the season, all right, we're going to do our last podcast in December after the Tour Championship is complete. Who's going to be out of the top 10 and which names are going to fill the top 10? Jordan, I'll start with you. Who's going to be out of the top 10? Well, I can write back on Celine there. Just pile on her. Sorry, Celine. I bought so much, guys, that it's just so hard to feel like Betty people are gonna fall out aside from maybe Lillia because that this is a bit of a This is a bit of a test of a year. So I feel good about those two

Sorry, those felt like very easy ones to pick off But I feel like they will for sure fall out in terms of are we talking just falling out or also going inside? Well, if you want to put the names in that will play. Complete that circle. Complete the circle. All right, let's do it. Guys, my Roseanne fandom has not worn off at all even after, and last year was not a bad year by any means, but I think last year was a very revealing year for Rose Zhang in terms of her limits and what she was capable of in terms of balancing school, health.

I think Rose Zhang will insert herself in the top 10 this year. Maybe it feels a bit like I'm leaning back on that recency bias, but I feel really good about Jin Young-ho, honestly, and her health and where her game's at. I want to see her back in that top 10 too. So I kind of lost count. Did you put three in but only take two out? No, I thought I picked two. I went two.

Rose and Jin Young Ko officially. Okay. There we go. I thought we were going to have a team team situation here. There's a lot going on. 16 people in the top 10. I think it's mathematically impossible for anybody in the top four to move out

by the time that the season is done. Even like if somebody doesn't play an event, I don't know if it's possible for them to fall out Just based off of the separation of points here, but I'll go out there. Lilia. I'm sorry. I apologize. You're out of here Hannah you're out Ayaka. You're out Celine. You're out that gives me four spots Virginia is Absolutely going to flash and I know I'm putting a lot of bias here at Hilton Head, but I think she's figured out the putter.

She's in a much better spot mentally. She's got that cute dog, which I know why you're out on her, Andy. That's why. I know. Awesome. She kind of has a new leash on life here. So Jin Young, welcome to the squad.

Rose, welcome to the top 10. Minji, welcome to the top 10. Minji, welcome to the top 10. You and your new putter, please ride that thing all season long. It's going to happen. And my fourth pick and the biggest jump that you're going to see this year is from a young woman from Sweden, not Ingrid Lindblad, Lindgren. Lynn is finally going to arrive. She put a year into all these swing changes. Her performance last week at Hilton is truly was like phenomenal. And it finished solo third, 15 under and honestly like didn't make a putt. This ball striker did everything possible,

drove the piss out of it, hit her ironsons great scrambled when she needed to and just didn't make a ton of putts. I think it's finally happening like it's gonna be Lynn's year. God dang Cody, you and I are on a lot of the same blocks here. I'll just quickly say I had Lillia dropping out of the top 10 Charlie and Celine dropping out. So those three out and I'm going to backfill them with Lynn for all the reasons you said, kind of a post-hype sleeper year for her. Minji again like you, like if the putter just improves a little bit,

she's, I mean she's one of the best ball strikers out there. And then, god, this feels so just Homer, but I have Lauren Coughlin, maybe sneaking in there. Like that. Yeah, no, I just feel like the vibes are good. She's a great ball striker. Let's let's keep it rolling this year. So those were my three and three out. All right, well, let's, the last kind of Rolex ranking question

I wanted to throw to the group. If you have a name, two names, however many you prepared of women that you think are poised to make a big leap in the Rolex rankings, And I'll leave the definition of big leap up to you, but maybe let's go around one at a time. Cody, will you start us off with a name here? Well, I guess it doesn't matter how big, what is a big leap?

I would tell you like 10 plus 20 spots. Cause I think Lynn- You tell us what you're expecting. Lynn from 21 into the top 10, that's a pretty big leap. That is, yeah. I think that counts. I'd say this too. I'm very bullish on where Patty T is at. She currently 25th in a comfy spot, but really, you know, just, you know, picks off wins, but didn't really show up at the other events. I think she's going to finally round out and have like a really solid season. I hate to like throw any other name that that I don't quite know where they're gonna

pick up or be at but I think the person who is barely inside the top 50 in the world right now, 48th, somebody that I had pegged as my rookie to watch last year, Gabby Ruffles. And I think Gabby is just gonna continue to get a better understanding of these golf courses. The familiarization is gonna carry her to higher finishes and she's just gonna break through and start picking up dubs. I think that's kind of where I'm at with Gabby.

That's as far out as my neck can currently go though, until we get to the rookies. Jordan, do you have anything? Okay, this does not feel consistent with who I predicted to jump into the top 10, but I only had two spots, so I had to be pretty selective. We're forgetting, which I don't want to jump into the rookie talk too early, but Miyu Yamashita guys, I think she is going to make a leap.

It feels like in some senses, she's a bit of a forgotten name, and maybe that's because she had to go through Q series, but runner up in a major, she's won 13 times professionally. Guys. I want to get ahead of this too. And you're right. She's on my list and I pulled her out to put her in the rookie category. She's currently 13th in the world. I know. And that's where I'm like, I don't know how much better.

So where are we leaping her to top five? But we didn't have her going in the top 10. Right. I didn't. And I said it didn't feel consistent with my selections. So you're right. Forgive me. I think maybe not rankings leap, but definitely like exposure, understanding and familiarity with with LPGA fans across the world.

Yeah, she's definitely it. She's so damn good rookie of the year. But by a long, long shot. And the reason why I say that is because it's a very good rookie class. I just don't know like, you don't know where Ingrid's gonna be at. Everything's just kind of like out there.

I mean, you have the twins, the twins can make a splash too. Jenny Bay is coming through. I just, the girl from Texas A&M, I can't even remember who won nationals last year. Adela Srinosik. Yeah, Adela from Texas A&M, I can't even remember who won nationals last year. Adela Sernosic. Yeah, Adela, but I think like, me who is such a generational worldwide player that is so fit already for this hectic LPGA schedule, like it's impossible to look past her. Sorry for

jumping categories, Big, but I had to get in on with with Jordan work side by side saddle up. We're totally good. Well, let me give you my big jumps and I'll define I was looking way down the Rolex ranking. So I have two, actually three women one just inside the top 100 and the other two well above the hundredth mark. And the first one is the current 150 first-rank player in the world is Austin Kim. I could see her potentially winning an LPGA event this year, getting a nice jump up into that 60, 70 in the world category. I think she's somebody to keep an eye on. The other one, Bianca, this is a favorite of mine,

Bianca Pogdenanen is 119th in the world. I feel like she's getting her feet underneath her as a solid LPGA Tour player. Her driver is spectacular. If you ever are out at an event and want somebody to follow, go watch her hit the ball. She's really good. I could see her, again, kind of up into that 7080 range I think is

a really nice improvement for her. But the one I'm really hoping for guys is the 98th player in the world. Helen Bream, the 19 year old from Germany. I want her to sky rocket. I want her to be a top 40 player. I want her to have a monster L.E.T. season. She is somebody that quite, I'm not saying she will, but she has the potential to be a true game changer in women's golf. And if she is going to be, then we're going to start to see it this year, I think. So that's the last one I wanted to highlight. You're spot on there.

The only thing is that she's at such a disadvantage only playing the L.E.T. currently only playing the L.E.T. and the amount of points, Rolex points that are actually available for her. Now, I agree, like she's top top 20 top 15, probably at some point time top 10 player in the world. I just don't know. Like are we one year away from that? Are we three years away from that? Like she's so young still. Like, but, but I will we ever get there because that's a, you know, that's a concern. Yep. For sure. Well, you mentioned the

rookies, you guys had Miyu Yamashita, any other Jordan out any other rookies, Ingrid, Lynn Blad, we've we've talked about give us another name or two that people need to keep an eye on this year. Well, I also had Ingrid down, I'm not gonna you know, I still have a lot of Ingrid stock, especially watching her in college and how she played on the Epson tour this season and how she's played in majors in the past.

I think, again, going back to Cody's point about Miu and kind of the depth of events that she's played and how international her game has been, I think Ingrid has some of that too, you know, being from Sweden, playing a lot of events in Europe. I think the one concern I would say I'd have about Ingrid is just, you know, showing up in really, really big moments. I mean, there's been those Anwahmises, there's been those Misses at NCAAs, and so, you know, even at the women's amateur. And, you know, I, that's my only real concern with Ingrid, but, you know, I don't know quite where to put her ceiling as a professional player. I mean, she had one of the best collegiate careers of all time, but, you know, I still think she is a rookie to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if she picked

one off this season. And there was a Jenny Bae mention too. I've got a good amount of Jenny Bae stock. I still feel very attached to that finish at Enwell a few years ago, where she nearly beat Roseanne. I still think that's significant. And then she went onto the Epson Tour, won twice the following year, stayed on the Epson Tour and won once last fall. And it's finally got her card. So I'm very interested to see how she plays on the LPGA this season. Anything to add there, Cody? No, she hit the nail on the head. We, we're kinda, we're, we're swimming in the same pond here. The one thing I'd say for Ingrid is I think a year on Epson was

very, very beneficial to her. Uh, not only winning, but, but traveling and learning and everything. She has one of the coolest caddies in the women's professional game, Scotty on the bag, who is a huge fan of ours, big supporter of ours, like want them and her like she is going to be a top 10 player in the world. We just don't know when that's going to be because she has had some big moments. I mean, I still remember at pine needles, like her, you know, being first round leader and like, wow, Ingrid Ingrid is here, like, you know, being first round leader and like, wow, Ingrid, Ingrid's here, like, you know, and all the doubt from Anwan college experiences and everything. And like, she is phenomenal. And then all of a sudden, you're just like, wait a second, this is a completely different player. Like, where did the ball striking go? Where did the scrambling go?

Where did the putting go? It just kind of all like, you know, kind of got flushed away. She's going to be a really good professional. I think it's just going to be, it's just going to take a little bit of time, which it does for everyone. I mentioned the twins, the Japanese twins, I think it's Aki and Chisato or something like that. Chisato. Yui, I think both of them, multiple winners on the JLPGA, kind of the same pedigree coming over as me, you just not as prolific as winners. But what a better support system to have, you know, traveling with your best friend and your sister and trying to figure out how do you get around this world. So I think it's going to be a very powerful year for rookies. Something that we really haven't seen kind of, at least the last couple years where you So I think it's going to be a very powerful year for rookies.

Something that we really haven't seen kind of at least the last couple years where you have this, you know, kind of them in masses contending and putting themselves out there instead of just kind of like the one or two superstars who kind of rise to the top. Yep. Jordan, I want to ask you, the LPGA announced what they're calling the Elite Amateur Pathway. Can you kind of synthesize what it is and also what you might like or not like about it? Yeah. So the leap, as it's called, is basically sort of a direct, I don't know if I would call it a response, but certainly

mirrors the PGA Toru, but it operates a little more like PGA Toru accelerated, but with one catch. This is to all amateurs are included within this. It's not just collegiate players. So all amateurs are kind of fighting, not fighting, but like they're competing basically within the scope. So to kind of frame how difficult this is to achieve, you've got to achieve 20 points to get exempt status into the LPGA for the following season.

Only three players, I guess, documented would have achieved this. And those players were all world number one amateurs, which I'm sure you guys could probably name. Rose, Lydia, and Leona would have all qualified under the system, which feels a little annoying in the context that Rose could have done it because she had such an incredible amateur career and that just should have been rewarded immediately. But yes, she won her very first event as a professional and did it anyway.

And that's even more reason why she should have just been exempt to the LBJ tour. But anyway, neither here nor there. The system's finally here. I also feel like I have a bit of that grievance because I asked Molly about it a few years ago at CME in like 2022 and she kind of was just like, yeah, you know, it should happen, but whether it's, you know, we don't know when it's going to happen. And I was like, cool, but glad it's here. Glad it's finally gotten done. So the LEAP right now, as it stands, it awards different awards from the Collegiate season, different top-end amateur events, wager rankings.

So if you're ranked number one, number two, number three, in the top five, basically, you'll get awarded points. If you win the Yanaka Award, you'll get points. If you win things like ANWA, the Women's Amateur, the Asia Pacific Am Pacific amateur events of that pedigree, you will be awarded. So right now, the names that are leading, I'll read a few of them off. Lottie Wode leads with 16 points.

So she just needs four more to be fully exempt. And behind her is that Anna Davis at eight. Rachel Heck is on this list, which I found pretty interesting. She's at six. Yeah. Yeah. Jasmine Koo, the freshman at USC is six. And then there's a few ties for five points. Hannah Darling, Rian Maliksi, which is interesting because Rian Maliksi is still so young and has so much of an amateur career ahead of her. Katherine Park from USC is at five also, and Mirabelle Ting from FSU is at five.

So yeah, that's kind of the roundup of who's at the top and how they kind of got there. There's a couple things about it that I'm just interested to see if either they develop in a, if it develops in a certain way or if it, how it might change. I don't know that it really encourages that much longevity in college golf careers. The only progress you're really awarded on in Wager is just top five. Like PJ Toru itself is awarding that class of seniors based on the past two years of their collegiate play and how they're doing in Wagga. That stuff doesn't really count unless you're getting up into the top five of Wagga in this system or you're winning awards. So that right there is interesting

to me. I'm curious to see how much that changes. And I guess, I don't know, I still feel like, and you know, I could see some pushback from this because this is always a debate. The amateur scene in the KLPGA and the JLPGA is just phenomenal. And I know a lot of the amateurs make their way through Wagr because they're playing so many professionally classified events and they build up a lot of credibility through

that. I don't know. It just feels like kind of residing ourselves to like a very Western based system and schedule when so much of women's golf exists in Asia. And there should be a way to award that aside from, hey, you're really ranked really high in the Rolex. Why don't you get into the women's open? You know?

And so, I don't know. That's one thing I hope to see addressed. And again, yeah, they're giving you, they're giving you credit if you win the women's Asia Amateur Pacific, but I'm glad to see that the system exists. And I think it was a long time coming, truly. But I'm curious to see what additional metrics of success will be included and how far it'll expand. Yeah, well, but I take, I'm still kind of trying to process, but it's a good point about it being kind

of Western dominated and doesn't really speak to, you know, what's happening with the KLPGA, the JLPGA, et cetera, et cetera. It's also interesting that the highest point allocation is not necessarily based off of finish, but it's based off of cumulative year. So like there's only one four point available, correct? And that's for the winner of the McCormick medal. Yep. Yes. Which is weird that that is placed above, like it's placed above being number one on Wager.

It's placed below winning any of the biggest women's events in amateur golf. It's placed above making the cut or top 25 at an LPGA major. Like I think there's some work that could go in here to make this more, I don't know, performance based instead of being a subjective JPA, kind of the route that you're going on, as well as expanding just this list of cuts made at LPGA official tournaments. Or that's not even one of them. So one point for top 40 at a non-major LPGA

official tournament. Why is that not expanded to LET, to JLPGA, to KLPGA, to something? Because you're right. If you want to have this system work to bring the best players in the game up when you think that they're performing at their highest level instead of just waiting for, I guess, three people in a generation to come. There needs to be some changes to it. But it's better not having it at all, right? It is. And I think, too, it also brings in the debate of what is the pedigree and what is the status of certain top end amateur events? Because as you were saying, within the point allocation, you can get the same amount of

points for winning ANWA as you do the European ladies. And I just don't, I don't see that as being equitable at all. I just looked at it. I was like, oh, you know, when you're going through, through the list and I was like, oh, what are we currently at? And I scrolled down and I'm like, wait, where's AstroCat? Like, why is she not in any of this? And then I was like, oh, well, like some of these events that she's playing and she's in either the amateur division or the celebrity division or something like that, where I'm like, she's got to figure that out for herself. Like I think she's kind of the next super young player that kind of is of that level. But also know that she's going to turn professional and play as it is.

So she doesn't care about it. Yeah. I guess my biggest critique would be retroactively fitting this leap system onto what's happened. If the only three players are Lydia Ko, Rose Ng and Leona McGuire, I guess I would say why do we have such a high point threshold, right? I would argue it's maybe more important to get more very good AMs up into the LPGA because they're not a finished product as an AM. And you don't know who has the potential to take off and be a top 10, top 5 player in the world. If it's just going to recognize your Lydia Ko and your Rose Zhang and honestly, Leona

McGuire, it's kind of telling us what we already know instead of perhaps opening doors to people that otherwise, you know, might take several years through Epson tour or Q series, or maybe they remain in Japan for an extra couple of years. I, you know, as I'm saying that though, maybe the argument is, well, if you're not good enough to get through Q series, or if you're not good enough to get through an Epson season, how good are you? It's a tricky balance, but for a system that in the last decade plus would only identify three women to promote it, it seems like we're setting the threshold too high, in my opinion.

All right. Well, let's get to our final block. We've talked about a few predictions, but let's officially put them on the record here. I have Tron's predictions also. He wanted to make sure I get those read into the record. So let's start with the five majors. We don't have to spend a ton of time here.

Give me any reasoning or no reasoning at all. But let's start with the Chevron. TC has Nellie Korda winning the Chevron. Can't argue with that pick. I have Gino Titicum and I only look at the Chevron, you know, the last two years it's been at the Woodlands. Lilia Vu won two years ago, portended a big season from her. Nellie last year won, portended a big season from her. Nelly last year won, portended a big season from her.

So I wanted to put Gino in here because obviously I'm kind of calling on a big season for her. Cody, who do you have winning the Chevron? Nelly Korda. She did not play good golf there last year, ended up winning by two over Maya at 1300. And honestly, like just kind of was a blah tournament for it. Very, very weird. But I talk about players and course matches like Nelly quarter is

going to continue to eat that place up. Yeah. JP, who do you have at the Chevron? Put some respect on Elsie's name. You guys come on. Home game. For sure, for sure. Very good finish for Elsie.

She ended up T third last year at 10 under par, tied with Brooke. But I do know, as much as I would love Elsie to win that event, number one, it's a fake major, so I don't know if we would actually respect that or not. Of course, joking aside. I think we have to, yeah. But it's also a really that event. Number one, it's a fake major, so I don't know if we would actually respect that or not. Of course, joking aside. I think we'd have to, yeah. But it's also a really big event.

We talk about the hometown thing. Last year I went to a fajita dinner that her mom and dad put together for us and everything, and there's different caddies and players and everybody showing up. It's a big week for Team LC. I don't know if she'll be able to see through all of that and focus on it when you have somebody like Nellie

who's just like, yeah, I'm gonna be a fucking racehorse on this thing, keep up. Well, speaking of LC, let's go to the US Women's Open. TC saying, I hope the wind blows. He has LC winning the US Women's Open, TC saying, I hope the wind blows. He has LC winning the US Women's Open at Erin Hills. I will say that I jokingly made a comment that I'm just gonna set a daily or an annual reminder. I have Yuka Sasa winning the US Women's Open

and I think I'll just pick her every year for the next decade. Cody, who do you have at the US Women's Open? This is where I said it when we were going down the top 10 list. This is where I think she comes out to shine. Geno Tiddle, US Women's Open champion at Erin Hills. JP?

Cody's gonna hate this one. Ayaka Furuye. All right, let's move on to the KPMG PGA at Frisco Fields Ranch. JP, who do you have? Ooh, I'm gonna throw down Nellie for this one. Never a bad guess. Cody? Yep, definitely Nellie's length around there could definitely be beneficial.

Of course it all comes down to setup, but there is, Fields Ranch East has a lot of points where you can't hit your ball as far as you want. Like yeah, par fives, there's a couple of par fours you can really eat up, but everybody else is kind of choked in there. And I say, you know, I mentioned this player and how hard it would be to follow up that incredible year that she had last year. She's had this tournament on her list

for a very, very long time. And that is Lydia Ko. And I think she's gonna win in North Texas. I like that. I like that too. TC and I both have Minji Lee winning that major. The Evian, T.C. has said, quote, not a major, refuses to give a prediction. I will say I have that Ling Grant. If this is going to be part of a breakout year for Ling Grant, I have her winning the Evian. Cody, who do you have?

That sounds great. Or LC. I thought, I thought LC was gonna pull it off last year. JP? I'm gonna throw Minji Lee down on that one. She's gonna get another one. Like that. All right, brings us to the last major. The women's open.

TC has Ayaka Furuway. I have Nellie Korda. Cody, who do you have? Well, I rolled it out there already for my girl, Charlie Hall. We both did. I'll roll with that unless I get a 1B vote here, but I don't think that's gonna happen.

We'll go with Charlie. JP, also Charlie. Yeah, we both did. I don't know, I'm staying happen. We'll go with Charlie. JP, also Charlie. Yeah, we both did. I don't know, I'm staying there. I'm not migrated whatsoever. All right. How about player of the year? Jordan, let's start with you.

Guys, I left this one blank. I was too scared to put a stamp on a player of the year, which it feels like it should be no obvious. We don't stand for that here. No, I know. I'm sorry. We don't stand for that. Oh, take your neck out.

Who's it going to be? I'm getting cornered. It's going to be the weakest pick possible. I'm just going to go with Nelly. It's not the weakest. I think that's the most common sense. Of course, it's going to be Nelly Corda. Come on.

Rather in the sense of audacity. I lack the audacity to stick my neck out for that one. Cody, you're officially Nellie? Yeah. I mean, come on. Earlier when we're talking about Nellie and what I expect from her this year, I talked about all these extra majors and then I didn't even pick her for another one outside of Chevron. Doesn't make a lot of sense, but you can only pick one name. There's only so many. Yeah. I think it's going to be, you know, yeah. Give me, give me Nelly, of course, player of the year.

TC has Lydia Ko, who he does note he has her winning the player of the year without winning a single major, which is interesting. I'm going to come back to Gino. Big year for Gino. I'm all in on Gino, all the stock. Tour championship winner. Let's go here. I actually have Nelly winning this tournament, the Tour Championship. Cody, who do you have? CODY BRILLER It's such a crap shoot. I mean, who do you want me to say? Nelly? You want me to say Amy Yang? It's one of those weird things. Truly, who knows whatever happens at that place. Jordan, I'm sure you might not have a name here. I do have a name actually. I apologize.

Guys, I'm going back and forth because on one hand, I think Geo could run it back again, but I also want to throw it down for Angel. Angel Yen, I know she loves that course and I know she felt a little slighted by not winning last year so wouldn't be surprised she clipped one there. I love that. Cody give us a name of somebody who's going to be a first time LPGA winner. Any of the rookies. Mio, Yavashita. Any of the rookies. Miyu. Yamashita. That's the safest bet. Jordan.

Miyu. Natasha Un. Feels like a good pick too. Gabby Ruffles. Gabby is another good one. Yeah. I had Austin Kim. I shouted her out earlier. The other one I had on my list, I think is being overlooked because of Miyu Yamashita,

but Rio Takada is also a Japanese rookie. I believe ranked 15th in the world, could certainly see her winning this year. So wanted to make sure to give her a little love. I think this is, well, could be an interesting one. Rookie of the year, Jordan, who's your official pick to win rookie of the year? Cody and I again, we're so in sync, however many minutes ago, Miyu Yamashita, come on.

I second that. That's my official pick. TC is going different, He's going Ingrid. Ooh, that's surprising. I love it. And now guys, yeah, yeah. All right. And now the final prediction, kind of the, I wouldn't say the elephant in the room, but

certainly something that's going to have a strong bearing on the LPGA season. Do we want to have an official prediction on who the commissioner will be? And I'll say, Cody, you tell me if you've heard anything different. I don't have any like inside scoop on any of this. I feel like the search process thus far has been pretty quiet, at least in terms of anything

that's gotten to me. I'll throw out a prediction. I think it makes a lot of sense. I thought this from the minute the Mali news dropped, I feel like Alex Baldwin, who's currently the commissioner of the corn fairy tour, I think she makes all the sense in the world. So that would be my prediction. That would make a ton of sense, but I don't know where they're at at all. I know they've just assembled the ground counsel to try the next search. So who knows what's gonna happen?

There's been nothing leaked at all. And I did mention, I think a couple of funny things. Number one, TC's recommendation that Jay Monahan would be the for the job also still stands very, very good. And a quick may I call upon my part because I think the last time we talked about this, I was like, oh yeah, you know, the, um, I can't remember her name, but she's the commissioner of the ladies European tour and our friend, uh, Sophie Walker was like, well, why did

you leave my name out of it? She would be an amazing commissioner. She understands the game from a player's perspective, understands it from the business side of it. Yeah. Hell, yeah. Throw her name in there. I hope she gets called out by the by the grand council for interviews. But who knows where they're going to go? Jordan, any any guesses?

No strong guesses. I like the Alex Baldwin pick a lot. I guys, how many people are like responsible for making a decision about this hire? Because there's there's a firm looking. There's a group of players looking like, you know, it feels like we've got a lot of voices here in making the decision, which is good. But I'm also like, how much is this being complicated? Like we kind of

kind of need a commissioner like sooner than later. Yeah, I know. I know. I thought it'd be great to have an announcement prior to the Founders Cup, you know, a big celebration of the LPGA history. Alexandra Armis was the LAT commissioner that or the CEO that we couldn't remember there. TC for his prediction said he had no idea. He threw out the name. Is it John Padani from the USGA, the COO? He was like, I don't know, maybe somebody from kind of the wand tree to come back for a few years, write the ship and hand it off. So don't know. I honestly don't know the timing of a new announcement, but we'll certainly wait and see. And I'm very curious,

as I know you guys are to see who will be named the next LPGA commissioner. With that, guys, I feel like we've set the stage for what should be a fun 2025 season. If there's anything else you guys need to add or if not, we'll call it a show and enjoy the Founders Cup this weekend. Cody, anything on the way out? No, just pumped to get the season actually going here. I know we got Founders this week and then we got a week off and then we move into that front leg of the Asian swing before we kind of settle back in the end of March, early April. But there's a lot going on in the world of women's professional golf, a lot of new faces.

But we got the same familiar faces that I hope everybody gets used to seeing at the top end of the game. And I think that is part of making this whole thing grow. So we'll see where we're at on other growth initiatives this year. We'll see where NBC Golf Channel is at on their promoting of the golf telecast that they hold the rights to. Will anything look different this year?

Will a single thing look different? Who knows? But hey, I'm going in. I'm giving everybody the benefit of the doubt. And I hope that, you know, I hope they prove us wrong because I know the sport really needs it. Here, here. Jordan, thank you for joining. they'd prove us wrong because I know the sport really needs it. Here, here, Jordan. Thank you for joining guys.

Look forward to a great year internally with NLU and to everybody listening, following along. Thank you. Thank you to Titleist. Now it's time to go. Cheers. Crack on. Cheers.