Bailey Tardy won her first LPGA title on Sunday at the Blue Bay LPGA in China, bucking the 2024 trend of winners that have all been major champions. The who’s who list of champions — Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Patty Tavatanakit and Hannah Green — so far this season stands in stark contrast to what the tour saw in 2023.
Last year, a record 12 players were Rolex First-Time winners, up from a record-tying 11 in 2022 (first set in 1995). Actually, 13 players won for the first time last year, but because Mone Inami did not become an official member in 2023, deferring to 2024, she’s not recognized as a Rolex First-Time winner.
After Tardy’s victory in China, she moved up 85 spots in the Rolex Rankings to No. 84. Who might be the next first-time winner? Here are 10 players waiting for that breakout moment (with Rolex Ranking):
Xiyu Janet Lin tees off on the ninth hole during the first round of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Darren Carroll/USGA)
While China’s Lin recently won on the Ladies European Tour in Hong Kong — her third title on that tour — she has yet to break through on the LPGA. Lin has amassed five runner-up finishes over the past two seasons. She tied for third at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA.
NAPLES, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 19: Alison Lee of the United States plays her shot from the 11th tee during the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 19, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Lee finished last season with runner-up showings in her last three LPGA starts. In the middle of it that run, she also won on the LET. Lee’s 2024 season, however, got off to a slow start after she suffered from dog bite that left her hospitalized. Lee tied for 51st in her first start to the season at the HSBC.
Hye-Jin Choi of South Korea plays her shot from the 12th tee during the third round of The Chevron Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods on April 22, 2023 in The Woodlands, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
After a runner-up showing as an amateur at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, it seemed that an LPGA victory would be around the corner for the young South Korean. Choi has since notched two more second-place finishes on the LPGA and a third at the 2022 USWO but has yet to see the winner’s circle.
GYEONGGI-DO, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 19: Aditi Ashok of India plays her shot from the third tee during the first round of the BMW Ladies Championship on the Seowon Hills course at Seowon Valley Country Club on October 19, 2023 in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
A five-time winner on the LET, Ashok’s closest call on the LPGA came last year at the JM Eagle LA Championship when she lost in a playoff to Hannah Green. Ashok also contended for a medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, ultimately finishing fourth.
No Indian woman has ever won on the LPGA.
Jul 7, 2023; Pebble Beach, California, USA; Mao Saigo tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
A six-time winner on the JLPGA the past two seasons, Saigo is now a rookie on the LPGA. She finished runner-up on the JLPGA earlier this year and tied for 12th last week at the Blue Bay LPGA.
Gabriela Ruffels of Australia looks on from the seventh tee during the third round of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Ruffels won three times on the Epson Tour last season to earn her LPGA card for 2024. She already has three top-20 finishes in the majors. Ruffels tied for 15th at the Blue Bay last week in her second start to the season.
Lucy Li of the United States plays her shot from the third tee during the third round of the LPGA Drive On Championship at Bradenton Country Club on January 27, 2024 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The former phenom got off to a strong start in 2024 with a career-tying best finish of a share of fourth at the LPGA Drive On and a tie for 10th at the Blue Bay LPGA. Li won twice on the Epson Tour in 2022 to earn her LPGA card.
HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA – MARCH 10: Sarah Schmelzel of the United States hits a tee shot on 1st hole during the final round of the Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on March 10, 2024 in Hainan Island, Hainan. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
Schemelzel’s hot start to 2024 includes a career-best runner-up showing last week at the Blue Bay LPGA and share of eighth at the HSBC. Currently 73rd in the Rolex Rankings, she’s up from 108th last month.
Albane Valenzuela lines up a putt during the final round of the 2024 Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club in Thailand. (Photo: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)
Former Stanford standout put up a career-best second-place showing at the Honda LPGA Thailand last month after an epic putting performance. She tied for 15th at the Blue Bay.
Valenzuela’s best major performance came last year at the Chevron when she tied for fourth.
Alexandra Forsterling (courtesy Aramco Team Series)
The former Arizona State player won her third LET title since turning professional last week at the Aramco Team Series event in Tampa, Florida. Forsterling earned her LPGA card through Q-Series last year and will make her first start as a tour rookie at next week’s Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship.
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