The Race to the CME Globe adds a season-long twist to the LPGA Tour. If you watch women’s golf or follow the professional circuit, you’ve likely heard about this points based competition, where players accumulate points all season for a shot at big bonuses and the prestige that comes with winning it. Figuring out how this race works—from the way points are scored, to how the regular season leads into the Tour Championship, and how the bonus payout is structured—can make watching LPGA events way more engaging.
Getting Started: What the Race to the CME Globe Is
The Race to the CME Globe is the official season-long points competition on the LPGA Tour. Each week, LPGA Members earn points based on their finish in regular tour events and majors. At the end of the year, the higher the points total, the better the player’s chances to compete for the big payout at the CME Group Tour Championship. This format is a pretty smart way to keep the action hot all season and reward players for consistent, strong golf—not just winning a single event.
The competition kicked off in 2014, inspired by season-long races in other sports like the FedEx Cup for the PGA Tour. Since then, it’s become a big talking point among players and fans who keep a close eye on the leaderboard, especially when it gets down to the wire in November. Over the years, the structure has held steady, but excitement continues to build each season as new contenders emerge and seasoned veterans look to defend their top spots.
Breaking Down the Points System
The points system is where things get interesting. Every official LPGA event offers a set number of points, with more points available for major championships. Here’s a basic breakdown:
- Standard tournaments: The winner takes home 500 points. Points are given to every player who makes the cut, with points scaling down for lower finishes.
- Major championships: Winners earn 650 points, and as with regular events, anyone who finishes after making the cut gets points based on their finish.
- No cut events: All LPGA Members who complete all rounds of the tournament will be awarded points.
- Alternative events: Events like match play or team competitions have slight tweaks, but results are generally translated into comparable points values.
One thing to keep in mind—these points only come from LPGA Tour events, so players can’t game the system by racking up reps elsewhere. You have to show up and earn it week after week in official tournaments. This encourages steady participation and a deeper, more competitive field throughout the year. Players know that even one week off can mean losing ground in the standings.
Regular Season: How Points Add Up
The LPGA regular season usually stretches from late winter through the fall, and every tournament matters. Big names sometimes take a week off, but the schedule is packed with both new faces and returning stars trying to rack up enough points to make it into the final event. Players not only chase trophies and weekly prize money, but also focus on their seasonlong standing, since a late surge—or a few solid finishes—can mean the difference between qualifying or just missing out.
During the regular season, the main goals for most players are:
- Stack points for a high leaderboard finish.
- Qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship.
- Try not to drop out of the top 60 as the year closes.
It’s not just about winning every week. Consistency counts. Finishing strong or picking up regular top10s can be just as valuable for players who want to clinch their place in the finale. Some players map out their schedules carefully, choosing their best courses or tournament formats to score big points. Others opt to participate more often, knowing that every appearance counts.
Tour Championship: The Season Finale
The Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida, is where the real showdown happens. The top 60 players (plus ties) in the points race qualify for this event, so the stakes are high as the season winds down.
In the finals, everyone starts from scratch. The points are set aside, and it’s all about who plays best during those four days. Win the championship, and you take home the massive first-place bonus attached to the Race to the CME Globe.
This setup rewards players who play well during the entire season, but it also levels the field for an exciting finish. No matter how your year went, if you’ve made it this far, a really good week can make you the season’s big story. With all eyes on the players, nerves run high, and those who handle the pressure best often rise to the top. The championship setting, fans’ energy, and the dramatic backdrop make this event one of the favorites on the LPGA calendar.
CME Globe Bonus Structure: What’s on the Line?
One huge reason why the Race to the CME Globe gets so much attention is the bonus money on offer. The winner of the CME Group Tour Championship grabs a prize of $4 million dollars, making it one of the most generous checks in women’s professional sports.
Here’s how the bonus money works for the top finishers at the championship:
- First place: $4 million (not a bad payday!)
- Second place: $1 million
- Third place: $550,000
- Prize money continues to scale down for all 60 players.
These payouts add a little extra spice to every shot, especially coming down the stretch for players hovering near the leaderboard. For some, it can mean a careerchanging boost, more financial freedom, or just a reason to celebrate a great year. The stakes make every putt, chip, and drive feel even more crucial, turning the final day into mustsee TV for fans of women’s golf.
Things That Can Make or Break a Player’s Race
A few factors have a big impact on how players perform in the Race to the CME Globe:
- Major wins count for more: Nabbing a major gives a player a real edge with those extra points.
- Consistency is rewarded: It’s not always the flashiest player who ends up the points leader. Sometimes it’s someone with a steady string of top10s or top20s.
- Injuries or missing events: Taking too much time off can really cost players in the points race, so staying healthy and active pays off.
- Climbing late in the season: Seasoned veterans often plan their schedules to peak in the final stretch and land inside the top 60 just in time. Rookies or less established players might focus on early strong results to relieve pressure later in the season.
I always find it pretty exciting to see a player make a late run, especially one who was outside the top 60 a month out but storms onto the scene with backtoback strong finishes. It’s those clutch performances that capture fans’ imaginations and keep the leaderboard fluid right up to the last week of the year.
Real-World Example: How the Race Unfolds
Picture a player starting with a few solid finishes early in spring—say, a couple of fourthplace finishes and a tenth at a major. That gets her on the board with a decent chunk of points. If she manages a win or two during the summer swing, her standing can vault quickly. But even without a victory, finishing inside the top 20 every week keeps her right in the mix for the championship. Steady play can outweigh a single big win if you rack up enough top finishes. For example, look at past champions who built a season on solid ground before their big moment at the finale.
When the final few tournaments arrive, I always notice a big switch in pressure. Players outside the top 60 might take more risks, while those comfortably inside the bubble may just focus on making cuts and staying healthy for the finale. This strategic balancing act between aggressive play and risk management is part of what makes the Race so fun to follow.
FAQs About the Race to the CME Globe
How do cancellations or shortened events affect points?
If weather shortens a tournament, full points may not be awarded. Rules adjust depending on how many rounds get completed. Players always hope for a full week, but when nature intervenes, tour officials break it down to make things fair.
Does the points leader get any special perks?
There aren’t extra points for leading, other than a handy mental edge heading into the finale. Ultimately, everyone starts even at the Tour Championship. Still, finishing as the regular season leader is a huge accomplishment and adds bragging rights.
Can a player outside the top 60 play the championship?
No, the field is capped strictly at the top 60 points earners on the final regular season leaderboard. So every point matters—especially late in the year when the standings tighten and pressure mounts.
Final Thoughts on Following the Race
Tracking the Race to the CME Globe is a fun way to get even more invested in the LPGA Tour. It rewards players for consistency, performance in the biggest moments, and staying in the fight week after week. Next time you watch an LPGA event, keep an eye on those points; every single one can make a huge difference by season’s end. Paying attention to the Race adds another layer to the golf action—cheering on both weekly winners and steady climbers on the seasonlong leaderboard. You might even stumble upon new favorite players as the drama unfolds round by round! To get a full rundown of the Race To The CME go to the following link. LPGA