Who is playing in the 2024 Women’s PGA Championship? Field and top players

In the two LPGA majors that we’ve seen for the year, a whole lot has happened. Firstly, there was world No. 1 Nelly Korda who made it five in a row after winning the Chevron Championship - only the third player in LPGA history to do that. Then, there was 22-year-old Yuka Saso who became the youngest player on the tour to win two U.S. Women’s Opens. With that, we can expect a show at the Sahalee Country Club.

2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: The lay of the land

There’s likely history in the making at this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and what better place to see it happen than the Sahalee Country Club which sits just outside Seattle. Having hosted the 2016 edition of the tournament, this is a course that has seen some of the most iconic moments in women’s golf including the battle between the then World No. 1 Lydia Ko who was 19 years old at the time, and then 18-year-old Brooke Henderson. On that day, it would be Henderson who came out on top after playing one of the best shots of her career to upset Ko and claim her first major.

Both players have continued to dominate since then, however, we have seen the emergence of a few other stars including Lexi Thompson and current World No. 1 Nelly Korda. To that end, if there’s one thing we can count on when the tournament tees off on Thursday, June 20th, it’s an intense duel between the top talents in women’s golf. There is of course another layer of context to consider and that’s the finalization of the field for the coming Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Do recall that following the Rolex Rankings which will be released this coming Monday, June 24th, we will also have confirmation on the 60 players that will represent their respective nations in France.

5 players to keep an eye on at the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

It would be unjust to start anywhere else than with the aforementioned World No. 1, Nelly Korda. The 25-year-old American has actually missed the cut in her last two consecutive starts, however, that has had little effect on her No. 1 status having already won six times in 2024 so far. Should she manage to win this weekend, it will mark the second time she’s done so in the Women’s PGA after she lifted the trophy in 2021 at Atlanta Athletic Club.

This brings us to Yuka Saso. Currently ranked No. 6 in the world, the Philippine-born Japanese pro is arguably the best major golfer on the tour right now. In three of her last six appearances she has finished in the top and that included a victory at this year’s U.S. Open, a second-placed finish at Baltusrol, and a T-3 in 2023′s Evian Championship. This is all to say that Saso is one to keep an eye on as she’s clearly in good form. Up next, we’ve got World No. 2 Lilia Vu, who it has to be said was more than impressive in last week’s LPGA Meijer Classic which she won following a lengthy layoff. Do recall this is a player who won both the Chevron and AIG Women’s Open last year.

Hannah Green is another player that we’ve got to mention. The World No. 5 is currently in flying form and on the hunt for the second major of her career. Along with Korda, Green is the only multiple winner on tour in 2024, with victories in the HSBC Women’s World Championship and JM Eagle LA Championship. It should also be said that she was the runner-up at the Mizuho Americas Open. The Women’s PGA has undoubtedly been her best major, evidenced by the fact that she’s finished in the top 5 on five occasions.

Lastly, we’ve got to talk about Atthaya Thitikul. The World No. 11 has had to deal with several injuries this season, but it hasn’t halted her progress. Having finished in the top 10 at several events, she’s put up some incredible numbers. To be clear, Thitikul currently has a top 10 rate of 62.3% which which only Annika Sorenstam (67.4%) and Lorena Ochoa (62.3%) have managed to achieve in their careers. At the tender age of 21 years old, one has to imagine she’s only just getting started. The 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will tee off on Thursday at 7:00 a.m. ET. Don’t miss it!