One point from the Hall of Fame, Nelly Korda arrives at the doorstep without playing golf
Player of the Year decided
The Annika field was finalized at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Thitikul and Yamashita were not among its participants, ending their chances in the Rolex Player of the Year race after strong seasons.
The award carries a Hall of Fame point as well as year-end recognition. For Korda, it lifted her career total to 26, just one below the 27-point entry threshold.
Other routes to Hall points
Players can also earn Hall of Fame credit through major victories, the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, or an Olympic gold medal. A major is worth two points, while the Vare and Olympic gold each count for one.
Korda’s scoring average of 69.38 leads the tour by a narrow margin. However, she will not reach the required 70 rounds, so she cannot win the Vare Trophy, even if she keeps her scoring lead through the season’s final three events.
A milestone in view
Korda, 28, has previously faced questions about her Hall of Fame prospects. She said she prefers not to focus on the possibility because golf is already difficult and extra pressure could make it harder.
Lydia Ko remains the youngest Hall of Fame inductee: she was 27 years, 3 months and 17 days old in 2024. Ko surpassed Inbee Park, who was also 27 when she qualified in 2016.
Key points
- The Player of the Year award moved Korda to 26 Hall of Fame points, one short of the threshold.
- Jeeno Thitikul and Miyu Yamashita were mathematically eliminated from the Player of the Year race.
- Korda cannot win the Vare Trophy because she will not play the required 70 rounds.
- Lydia Ko became the youngest Hall of Fame inductee at 27 years, 3 months and 17 days.