Wait, if you’re looking for a trophy presentation right this second, you might want to adjust your watch. It is January 16, 2026, and the LPGA Tour is currently in that weird, quiet "breath before the storm" phase. While the PGA guys are currently hacking it up at the Sony Open in Hawaii, the ladies of the LPGA are mostly on the practice range or mid-flight.
Actually, strictly speaking, no one won an LPGA tournament today because the official 2026 season opener hasn't reached Sunday yet. In fact, it hasn't even started.
But don't click away just yet. There is a massive amount of movement happening behind the scenes, and if you want to know who is "winning" the momentum battle heading into the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, you’ve gotta look at the qualifier that just wrapped up in Singapore and the massive ranking shifts from the off-season.
The First Big Win of 2026 (Technically)
While the main tour is quiet, the HSBC Women’s World Championship National Qualifier just ended yesterday, January 15, at the Sentosa Golf Club.
Chen Xingtong, a 17-year-old amateur who is basically a local legend at this point, absolutely torched the field. She posted a five-under 139 to win her third straight qualifier. That’s a 15-stroke lead over second place. Fifteen! Honestly, at that point, you aren't even playing the same sport as the rest of the field.
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What’s cool here is the human element. Chen had her former rival, Aloysa Atienza, on the bag as her caddie because Atienza is sidelined with a wrist injury. It’s that kind of early-year "win" that sets the tone for the Asian swing coming up in February.
Who is the Defending Champion?
When we talk about who won the LPGA golf tournament today in the context of the current schedule, we have to look back at the most recent official tour winner: A Lim Kim.
She took down the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in a thriller late last year, holding off a charging Nelly Korda. Kim pocketed a cool $4 million for that win, which is still the talk of the locker room as players prep for the 2026 kickoff in Orlando.
Current Top 5 World Rankings (As of Jan 16, 2026)
- Jeeno Thitikul (The undisputed queen of the moment)
- Nelly Korda (Still the face of American golf)
- Minjee Lee (The model of consistency)
- Miyu Yamashita (Riding high after a huge 2025)
- Charley Hull (The fan favorite who is always this close)
What Most People Get Wrong About the January Schedule
People often assume the LPGA follows the exact same "wraparound" or early January start as the PGA. It doesn't.
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The LPGA likes to let its players actually have a Christmas. The first real event, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, doesn't start until January 29, 2026. It's held at Lake Nona in Orlando. If you’re looking for a winner today, you’re basically two weeks early for the first champagne shower of the year.
Lake Nona is a beast of a course, and because it’s a "Tournament of Champions," only winners from the last two seasons get to play. It’s a small, elite field mixed with celebrities. You’ll see people like Annika Sörenstam playing alongside active pros, which makes for a very chill, almost "party" vibe compared to the grind of a Major.
Why Jeeno Thitikul is the One to Watch
If you had to bet your house on who will win the first trophy of 2026, it’s Jeeno Thitikul.
She ended last year on a heater that we haven't seen since the peak Lorena Ochoa days. Jeeno finished the 2025 season with 14 top-10 finishes. That is statistically absurd. Her average points are sitting at 12.53, which gives her a massive cushion over Nelly Korda in the second spot.
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But golf is fickle. Nelly had a weird 2025—some injuries, a few missed cuts, and then a late-season surge. Word from the Florida practice facilities is that Nelly has been grinding on her short game. If her putter catches fire at Lake Nona, the World No. 1 spot could be up for grabs by Valentine's Day.
The Next Steps for Your Golf Fix
Since there isn't a trophy being hoisted today, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve before the Orlando kickoff:
- Watch the Sony Open: If you just need to see live golf, the men are playing in Hawaii right now. It's great "background noise" while you wait for the LPGA to start.
- Mark January 29th: Set a calendar alert. That's the first round of the HGV Tournament of Champions.
- Follow the Amateur Circuit: Keep an eye on Chen Xingtong. Winning a qualifier by 15 strokes isn't a fluke; she’s going to be a nightmare for the pros when the tour hits Singapore in February.
The LPGA season is a marathon, not a sprint. We’re currently in the locker room, lacing up the shoes. In two weeks, the real fireworks start.
Actionable Insights
- Check the TV Listings: Golf Channel and NBC will handle the Orlando coverage starting Jan 29.
- Update Your Fantasy Roster: If you play LPGA fantasy, Jeeno and Lilia Vu are the safest bets for the Florida swing, as they both tend to play well on bermudagrass.
- Monitor the Solheim Cup Points: 2026 is a Solheim Cup year (September in the Netherlands). Players are already sweating the points list to make sure they’re on the plane to Bernardus Golf.