Key questions about the LPGA's CME Group Tour Championship
Tuesday 17 November 2015 16:38, UK
As the LPGA Tour reaches a conclusion this week, we answer some of the key questions about the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
Who is playing?
All-but four of the world's top 25 players are in this week's field, including the tournament's defending champion and world No 1 Lydia Ko. Last week's Lorena Ochoa Invitational winner Inbee Park is also there, as are a host of Solheim Cup stars including Stacy Lewis, Lexi Thompson and Suzann Pettersen.
What is the event?
The tournament is the final event of the LPGA Tour season, similar to the PGA Tour's Tour Championship or the European Tour's DP World Tour Championship. Just like the male equivalents, this week's competition has a limited field, with only the top 72 and ties in the Race to the CME Globe standings eligible to feature.
The Race to the CME Globe standings?
Yes, that's right. Just like the PGA Tour's FedExCup points or the Race to Dubai points in Europe, the LPGA has their own season-long points system. That competition begins with the season-opening Coates Golf Championship and ran through to last week's event, with 625 points up for grabs in a major and 500 points in a regular-season event.
And what about the points for this week?
Well, for the season finale the points are reset, based on where a player lies in the points list. So Lydia Ko, who currently tops the standings, is on 5,000 points, with Inbee Park is on 4,500 and the points getting fewer further down through the top nine in the standards
So does that mean only Ko can win?
Not at all, because this event has its own unique points system and has 3,500 points available for the winner. With that in mind, any of the top three in the standings can secure a season-long victory this week and the $1m bonus with a win. A number of players can still top the rankings, with everyone as far down as Shanshan Feng in ninth spot still in with a chance.
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What else is up for grabs this week?
Ko and Park will be a two-woman show this week as they battle for several awards which will all come down to their performances in Naples. There's the small matter of the world rankings, where Park could overtake the New Zealander with victory, while Ko will look to hold onto her position at the top of the money standings.
As well as that, the pair are split by less than 0.02 in the Vare Trophy race, which looks at average strokes per round, so there are plenty of chances for silverware in the coming days.
How can I follow the action?
You'll be able to watch all four days of the CME Group Tour Championship live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
