2026 The Annika preview: The final full-field LPGA event of the year

LPGA Tour is back in the United States after its fall Asian swing for the first of two events in Florida to wind up the season. We're playing a tournament in the Tampa area to honor one of the legends of the game. I'm Ryan Baloggy with Golf News Net here with a preview of the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club in Bel Air, Florida, near Tampa. This is a 108-player field, so it's the last full field event of the year. A little bit shorter in terms of field than you would expect to see most weeks on the LPGA. This is kind of a nice setup tournament for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. That'll be reserved for the top 60 players in the point standings after this week. The top 100 players in the point standings after this week will retain their LPGA Tour playing privileges for 2027. Nellie Korda is among those players who do not have that problem of worrying about finishing in the top 100. She has dominated this tournament in the past, and she has played very well here. She is the headliner in the field this week. Then you're also surrounded by the likes of Lottie Wode and Charlie Hall. And you've got about 30 of the world top 50 competing here this week in this $3.25 million tournament to honor Annika Sörenstam. So this is the last regular season tournament. There is a cut to the top 65 in ties, but obviously with 108 players in the field. There's a very good chance of you making the cut and getting to the weekend, getting some money out of this. And for a number of players, importantly, trying to make a run to as many points as humanly possible to get into that top 100 or get in the top 60. Top 60 players get in, season-ending event that has an $11 million purse, $4 million of which goes to the winner next week at Tiburon Golf Resort in Naples. So lots of things on the line this week. Really good field, great golf course, should be a great week down in Florida.