An Inside Look at Women's Golf Most Glamorous Night

At it's core, the LPGA Tour was founded on the concept of togetherness. That's why there's 13 women recognized as the founders, not just one person. That's why the entire organization is comprised of a professional golf tour, an association of female teaching professionals, and a foundation. For better or for worse, this collective mentality is what sets the LPGA apart from its peers.

As the longest-standing women's sports organization in the world, collaboration has always been in its vocabulary. Without its partners and members, the LPGA Tour couldn't function the way it does, and as the Tour continues to grow, these relationships are only going to become even more important.

Since 1980, the Tour has worked in tandem with one of the most renowned, formidable brands on the planet—Rolex. The iconic luxury brand has supported the most prestigious events and awards in golf, with the mutual understanding to uphold the values of this game and honoring world-class performances from the most elite athletes in our sport.

Over the years Rolex has worked to cement its advocacy for women's golf by becoming increasingly more hands-on. From having Testimonees, Rolex brand ambassadors, on the Tour (think Annika Sörenstam, Nancy Lopez, and Lydia Ko), to bringing to life an awards celebration that honors the excellence seen throughout the season, they're forever omnipresent.

The Rolex LPGA awards has been an annual end-of-season gathering during the week of the CME Group Tour Championship since the event has been contested at the Tiburón Golf Club. It's evolved into many different forms, but the meaning behind the night remains steadfast—to bring players, media partners, Tour partners, staff, sponsors, teaching professionals, and a host of other folks to come together in celebration and honor the past year.

This was my third year making an appearance at CME and my second Rolex LPGA Awards. And I can confirm that this year's event was done up to be more of a spectacle.

The first year I attended, the awards was held on after the first round on Thursday—which really impacted the player presence. Having a two-hour long awards dinner in the middle of the season finale is a bit of a tough sell. Last year, the ceremony was moved to Wednesday evening and had gotten a time slot on Peacock to be streamed live. But due to south Florida weather, things got pushed to being completely indoors so it was a last-minute shift in plans. But this year, things felt more energetic. The weather had cooperated and the signature Rolex Green Carpet was rolled out in style, equipped with cameras, on-carpet correspondence (including yours truly), and one of those 360-degree glam shot cameras.

The dinner was inside one of the main ballrooms at The Ritz Carlton Naples and was expertly done up to feel light, airy, and intimate. The table settings were intentional with seating arrangements made for mingling.

I had the pleasure of sharing a table with members of the Rolex team along with two of the brand's Testimonees: LPGA legend Nancy Lopez and the talented Lexi Thompson. At the table next to us, sat commissioner Craig Kessler who was sandwiched between Lydia Ko and Annika Sörenstam.

Related: 15 Minutes With LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler

It's one of the most important nights on Tour because it's truly the one time where we pause for just a little while and celebrate another season of women's golf. It's a feel-good evening, honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking forward to the future.

Commissioner Craig Kessler toasting with members of the LPGA Hall of Fame. Image courtesy of the LPGA.

Among one of the most important awards given out is the The Rolex Player of the Year award, which was first given out in 1966 and has become one of the most prestigious and coveted honors an athlete can earn on the LPGA Tour. But this year, POTY was awarded until after the conclusion of CME due to how tight the margins were.

But ultimately the honor went to world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul for her outstanding 2025 season. And even though she wasn't being honored with something, Thitikul still showed up and sat through the dinner.

Related: We Can All Learn a Thing or Two From Jeeno Thitikul...

Image courtesy of the LPGA.

Though what really stood out to me this year were two speeches from two players who were honored that night—LPGA veteran player Lindy Duncan who received the Heather Farr Perseverance Award and 2025 AIG Women's Open champion Miyu Yamashita, who clinched Rookie of the Year.

Related: Each Major LPGA End of Season Award, Explained

We just talked about Duncan during CME because of her work with famed swing coach Sean Foley, but the 34-year-old deserves our attention for a whole host of other reasons. The main one being in the way she talks about the game.

In her speech she eloquently said, "For years I thought joy was earned. Through accomplishment, now I believe joy is a choice independent of scores and outcomes. That shift, choosing joy over validation gave me the freedom to be honest and vulnerable. Freedom to play and live freely."

The entire room stood up. Duncan's words were powerful, heartfelt, and more for herself than anyone else in the room.

Her career has been filled with ups and downs, but 2025 was her best year yet, and no one was more deserving of the award that honors resiliency.

As for the young rookie—well she stole the show by giving her very first speech in English.

The Japanese player has already found her footing on the Tour, but giving interviews outside her native language is still a work-in-progress, despite that, she knocked it out of the park at the dinner!

Yamashita kept it short, sweet, and sincere saying, "I am truly honored to win this award. I am very happy to stand here today. I am also grateful to have my name included among many wonderful players who have won this award before me. I will keep working hard and try to win many more tournaments."

You could tell she's much rather have a down hill four-footer than speak into the microphone again, but it's a testament to how much the honor meant to her and that took the courage to utter those words in front of so many people.

I think for a lot of the players, it's obvious that their comfort zone lies on the golf course, but it's so important for them to have face time with Tour partners and each other and leave the clubs at home for a little while.

It's an opportunity for the world of women's golf to connect more, be present with one another, and I'm a firm believer that the best way to get to know someone is by sharing a meal with them (dinner parties...let's bring them back!!!).

Though it's always fun to get dolled up and throw on a pretty dress, this night is about so much more than that. It's that extra reminder that unity and being on the same page with each person in the room is this Tour's greatest strength and the way it will continue to elevate.