2024 Rolex LPGA Awards

On Wednesday evening, nine individuals accepted their respective awards at the 2024 Rolex LPGA Awards which took place during the LPGA Tour's season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship.

Rolex Player of the Year Award – Nelly Korda

“It’s been crazy, it’s been such a fun year, full of ups and downs, but I am so, so grateful for my team sitting right here. Jason, Jamie, Kim, my family, Jess, who steamed my dress, it looks really nice, right? It’s been an amazing year and I’m so grateful to be doing what I love.” – Nelly Korda

• Korda clinched the 2024 Rolex Player of the Year award following the conclusion of the TOTO Japan Classic, with three events remaining in the season
• She is the second consecutive American to earn the Rolex Player of the Year, following Lilia Vu in 2023
• Korda is the 27th different player to earn the award since its inception in 1966
• In her 2024 historic season, Korda claimed seven victories and three additional top-10 finishes
• Following her second victory of the year, she ascended once again to No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings for the sixth time in her career and still maintains her position

Rolex ANNIKA Major Award (RAMA) – Nelly Korda

The RAMA recognises the player who has the most outstanding record in all five Major championships throughout the LPGA Tour season. Points for Rolex ANNIKA Major Award are awarded at all five Major championships to competitors who finished among the top 10 and ties. To earn the award, a player must have also won at least one of the five majors.

“Seven wins I think would win a lot of awards. Overall, I think Nelly’s had a wonderful season. So consistent. She was on a roll. Fairways, greens, making putts, making it look easy. I think we’ve all seen her blossom through the years and really having a breakout year this year. I know in the middle of the summer it was maybe a little shaky for her, but I admire her for her comeback and then obviously to win last week at the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge was a big, big win. So not surprised. Really want to congratulate Nelly on a superior season and I’m sure many more to come.” – Annika Sorenstam

• Nelly Korda won the 2024 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award (RAMA) following her T2 finish at the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course at St Andrews
• Korda won the 2024 Chevron Championship to claim her second career Major championship victory, following her 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship win, and continued a historic start to her 2024 season
• The 26-year-old is the 10th different winner of RAMA since it was established in 2014

Heather Farr Perseverance Award – Lydia Ko

The Heather Farr Perseverance Award honours an LPGA Tour player who, through her hard work, dedication and love of the game of golf, has demonstrated determination, perseverance and spirit in fulfilling her goals as a player

“2024 has felt like a fairytale, one word, fairytale. I can’t believe it, even now while looking at some at the highlights. I still get goosebumps. I started by winning the first one of the year, the HGV Tournament of Champions and it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders being one inch closer to the hall of fame and proving to myself that I can actually do this, I never imagined that I would do it in the most dramatic way possible.” – Lydia Ko

• Entering her 2024 season, Ko needed two points to meet the minimum point threshold of 27 points to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame
• She followed up her gold medal with an additional two wins this season including the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G and a major championship victory at the AIG Women’s Open.
• Ko has earned numerous Rolex LPGA Awards including Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honours (2014), Rolex Player of the Year (2015, 2022), the Founders Award (2021), Vare Trophy, (2021, 2022), and now, the 2024 Heather Farr Perseverance Award

Founders Award – Ally Ewing

The Founders Award is given to an LPGA Member who, in the opinion of her playing peers, best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA through her behavior and deeds

“I want to thank my peers. I think it’s super special to receive this award and for it to be voted on by your peers, it’s just an incredible honor for me and it’s been really easy for me to get along with everyone because everyone has treated me so incredibly in my years on the LPGA. I will forever be grateful for how you have treated me and I’m just going to miss everybody so much. So, that’s a small piece of me saying thank you and goodbye.” – Ally Ewing

• An Epson Tour graduate, Ewing played on the Road to the LPGA in 2016. The year was pivotal for her personally and professionally, as she earned the second-highest earnings total in the Tour’s history at the time ($110,359) yet was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes
• Ewing is known for her unwavering attitude and devout team spirit amongst players, and specifically during her four stints on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team in 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024
• Ewing announced her retirement from professional golf in the days leading up to the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, the closest tournament to her home state of Mississippi

Commissioners Award – Seth Waugh, Martin Slumbers

The Commissioners Award, introduced in 1991, honours a person or organization that has contributed uniquely to the LPGA and its Members, furthered the cause of women’s golf, and possesses character and standards of the highest order.

“The game as we know has never been in better shape. The growth continues unfettered. The fastest growing cohort of the game are female, both girls and women and people of color. We are not to fifty-fifty yet by any means but we are gaining on it all the time. We’re up to about 40-percent now of women and girls as participants in the game. The game has never been more welcoming and indeed invitational.” – Seth Waugh

“As I draw to end my near decade as CEO of the R&A, I look back with great pride, the depth of the relationship that we’ve built with the LPGA and the LET. One of the three main objectives I had during my time at the R&A was to develop and invest significant financial resources in women’s and girl’s golf. From the elite professional end right down to the grassroots level. While this is clearly a work in progress, I am very pleased with what we have achieved today.” – Martin Slumbers

• Waugh founded the Women of Wall Street initiative before joining the PGA of America as CEO, creating a powerful network of female leaders in finance and investing. Under his leadership at the PGA of America, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship has reached extraordinary heights, shaping the major into one of the true cornerstones of the women’s game.
• Slumbers has had a passionate vision for elevating the women’s game, and was instrumental in transforming the AIG Women’s Open into one of the R&A’s premier championship. In 2018, he launched the Women in Golf Charter, a groundbreaking initiative that now includes over 1,300 organizations worldwide, and has also been an invaluable member of the Ladies European Tour board and the Ladies European Golf Ventures board.

Ellen Griffin Rolex Award – Gale Peterson

The Ellen Griffin Rolex Award, instituted by the LPGA Professionals membership in 1989 to honour the late teaching professional Ellen Griffin, recognises an individual, male or female, who made a major contribution to the teaching of golf and emulates Griffin's spirit, love and dedication to students, teachers, teaching skills and the game of golf.

“This recognition means so much to me because it reflects the legacy of a woman who dedicated her life to growing the game and helping others find their potential in golf and life. To be acknowledged alongside Ellen Griffin and past recipients such as Peggy Kirk Bell, Pia and Lynn, Dana Radar, Carol Preisinger, to name a few is such a great privilege.” – Gale Peterson

• Peterson is an LPGA Class A Professional and Instructor at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center in St. Simons, Georgia.
• Her motto is “Pay it Forward,” and not only has she been doing that through her teachings at the club, but through her commitment to the LPGA. Giving back to the organization as a Coach for ten years and over 40 days a year, she helped mentor big names like Angela Stanford and Dori Carter. She dedicated her leadership skills and service by participating and speaking at over 25 LPGA, National, and Sectional Events. She currently serves as the LPGA Southeast Section District Representative.

Rolex first-time winners

Bailey Tardy (Blue Bay LPGA), Linnea Strom (ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer) and Lauren Coughlin (CPKC Women’s Open)

When an LPGA Member wins their first tournament on the Tour, they are recognised as a Rolex First-Time Winner.

Tardy was the first Rolex First-Time Winner of the season, becoming the first American to win the Blue Bay LPGA in her second season on the LPGA Tour. Strom shot a final-round 60 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, setting the LPGA Tour record for lowest final round by an eventual winner and breaking the record for the biggest comeback by position entering the final round of an LPGA Tour event since 1984. Whilst Coughlin earned her first LPGA Tour victory at the CPKC Women’s Open in her 103rd start, surpassing the $1 million mark in official season earnings for the first time in her career.

With a few players in the race for the last two awards of the season, the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year and Vare Trophy will be awarded after the completion of the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship.