Two years ago, KPMG launched an analytics platform to help narrow the information divide between the men’s and women’s games. The program, similar to what’s offered on the DP World Tour, relies on caddies to gather information and turn in a special card after each round. KPMG pays the caddies a small stipend.
It’s an evolving system that gets more useful over time as data accumulates.
Scorecard numbers can only tell so much of the story, and as the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship kicks off this week at historic Baltusrol for the first time, we take a closer look at the Performance Insights numbers of five players to keep an eye on in New Jersey.
From the current No. 1 to a past champion and last week’s champion, here’s what the numbers tell us about these noteworthy stars:
CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY – MAY 14: Jin Young Ko of South Korea imitates a selfie as she poses with the winners trophy after a playoff win against Minjee Lee of Australia during the final round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club on May 14, 2023, in Clifton, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
A two-time winner this season, Jin Young Ko heads into the second major of the season full throttle. It wasn’t long ago that Ko couldn’t practice at all after rounds due to a prolonged wrist injury. Now she’s back to working round-the-clock when her coach comes to town.
As a result, Ko’s tee-to-green numbers once look like those of a World No. 1.
Ko ranked 40th in greens in regulation last season and is now second. She also ranks second in strokes gained approach per round. It adds up to the most strokes gained total per round on the LPGA in 2023.
JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA – JUNE 27: Nelly Korda poses with the trophy after putting in to win on the 18th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club on June 27, 2021, in Johns Creek, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Nelly Korda, the 2021 KPMG champion, will make her first start in a month at Baltusrol. Korda withdrew from the Mizuho Americas Open last month to address soreness in her back.
It was at the 2020 KPMG that Korda first injured her back, withdrawing after the first round.
While Korda hasn’t won this season, she’s notched six top-six finishes in 2023. In fact, she’s one of only two players ranked in the top 20 this season in both strokes gained off-the-tee (third) and strokes gained putting (17th). Atthaya Thitikul is the second.
Korda trails only Jin Young Ko in strokes gained total per round.
Rose Zhang smiles as she walks up the 18th hole during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club on June 4, 2023, in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
It’s no surprise that Rose Zhang’s strokes gained numbers at the Mizuho Americas Open were eye-popping. The 20-year-old triumphed in her LPGA debut thanks to a game that was exceptionally strong from tee to green.
Zhang ranked fourth in strokes gained off the tee among those who made the cut, 11th in approach shots and second in strokes gained around the green.
She ranked 47th in strokes gained putting, but it didn’t matter.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – JUNE 18: Leona Maguire of Ireland acknowledges fans after a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club on June 18, 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Leona Maguire picked up her second career LPGA title on Sunday at the Meijer LPGA Classic, playing the last six holes in 6 under. She credited countryman Padraig Harrington with saving her shots around the green in Michigan.
Maguire spent time with the three-time major winner working on her short game ahead of the AIG Women’s British Open last summer and soaked it in.
The former Duke star has been consistently stellar around the green the last two seasons, ranking sixth on tour in strokes gained around the green last year and 13th in 2023 heading into the Meijer.
Sunday’s 64 was Maguire’s 15th bogey-free round since the beginning of last season. Only three players have more in that span.
Linn Grant of Sweden tees off on the 13th hole on day one of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 21, 2022, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Linn Grant’s vaccination status kept her from competing on U.S. soil until just last month when she played an LET event in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the LPGA match-play event in Las Vegas.
Grant ranks 22nd in the world despite having to play a limited LPGA schedule since turning professional. She makes her KPMG Women’s PGA debut this week at Baltusrol.
Since last season, Grant’s driving stats on the LPGA have been crucial to her success. The former ASU player has averaged nearly eight-tenths of a stroke gained per round with driver, which accounts for 48.6 percent of her strokes gained total.
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