Previewing the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions — Players gear up for the HGV

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This week, LPGA pros head to Orlando, Fla. for the debut competition. The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club is the first test of the season.

Last year, Lydia Ko emerged victorious, posting a final round 70 to reach 14 under par for the tournament. She edged out Alexa Pano by two strokes to claim the crown.

This win for Ko was her first of three on tour in 2024, a year that would be one of her best. Coming into 2025, she has a lot to live up to, but the pressure really is off. Ko has already secured Hall of Fame honors and is well-established as one of the greats. All she has to do is have fun.

That being said, the HGV is a perfect tournament for Ko to win back-to-back. It’s a season opener with celebrity golfers playing a Stableford format right beside them. Plus, the field is full of former winners. (Only players who secured victories in the 2023 or 2024 seasons are eligible to compete.)

Ko will also be defending her title as a new brand ambassador for Hilton Grand Vacations.

The HGV is lighthearted, exciting and unique, but it still provides players with a chance to win the first official tournament of the new LPGA Tour season.

Some players looking to do that are 2024 standouts Lauren Coughlin and Hannah Green along with major winner Minjee Lee. They will all make their first starts in the HGV.

But of course, Nelly Korda looms. With a historic 2024 season on her back, she’s moving toward 2025 with the same amount of speed. After she and her dad made a run in the PNC Championship Dec. 22, she only put down her sticks for about a week. Is Korda addicted to winning? Maybe. She sure prepares like it.

But LPGA stars are not the only ones that are going to be competing in the HGV. A lineup of celebrities will be putting on their best performances to try and win a Stableford format tournament. This is similar to the PGA Tour’s American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe.

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You’ll see some familiar women’s golf names in the list of 51 competing stars this week, like Kira Dixon, Hally Leadbetter, Annika Sorenstam and Blair O’Neal. You’ll also see some familiar competitors from the American Century, 2024 champion Mardy Fish and runner-up Joe Pavelski. Rounding out the celebrity field are TV personalities, retired football players and the like. It’s a fun week.

Want to tune in to the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions? On Thursday, Jan. 30 and Friday, Jan. 31, catch coverage from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Golf Channel or the NBC Sports app. On Saturday, Feb. 1, watch from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Peacock, or catch split coverage on the NBC Sports app and NBC from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For the final round on Sunday, Feb. 2, watch from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Peacock, or split the coverage again with the NBC Sports app and NBC from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. All times are in EST.

This week in women’s golf

LPGA News

Players to watch: 2025 Hilton Grand Vacation Tournament of Champions

How to watch the 2025 Hilton Grand Vacation Tournament of Champions

LPGA to commemorate historic 75th anniversary throughout 2025

2024 was the year of Nelly Korda

Green ready to build on three-win LPGA season

Top players, storylines to watch this LPGA season

Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club celebrates LPGA’s 75th anniversary

LPGA announces FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship will not be held in March as scheduled

LPGA partners with Arcis Golf to elevate athletic performance

The ANNIKA Foundation announces the launch of the ANNIKA Inspiration Award to honor outstanding alumnae

LET News

The LET Golf Podcast | Emma Spitz

Crunching the key numbers ahead of the 2025 LET season

LET unveils award winners at 2025 season launch

Bouvet turns professional after securing LET card

Epson Tour News

Q&A: Catching up with Lindsey McCurdy Peek

What to look forward to during the 2025 Epson Tour season

Amateur/NCAA News

University of San Francisco’s Riana Mission and University of Mississippi’s Caitlyn Macnab invited to compete at the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Five at The IX: Players gear up for the HGV and the rest of the 2025 season

Players spoke to the media Wednesday, Jan. 29 before the commencement of the 2025 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (and consequently, the 2025 season). Here are some highlights from past winners and notable competitors. You can watch the players’ full press conferences on LPGA.com.

Lydia Ko, defending champion, on what playing at Lake Nona and in this tournament means to her

“Obviously this being my home club, got a lot of home crowd support. Just being able to see some of the familiar faces that I’ve seen with the celebrities at this event these past few years has been great. I’ve gotten to know a few of them a lot better. It’s just a super special one, and I’m excited to be alongside them this week and hopefully start the season off on a high again.”

Brooke Henderson, 2023 champion, on what she’s looking forward to this season on tour

“I’m really looking forward to this year hopefully getting off to a quick start. Like I said, I always love this event and the Founders Cup next week, which is special. I love going to Asia. Singapore and Thailand are some of my favorite events all year. Season starts out very well for me, very exciting, a lot good vibes. Going into the heart of the year, the majors, incredible venues and I’m looking forward to competing there. Like I said earlier, I think just trying to get myself in contention a little bit more. Trying to get until the final groups is definitely the goal.”

Nelly Korda, Rolex Rankings No. 1 and Florida native, on a forward-facing mindset

“I mean, last year is last year. When it comes to defending titles, the field is different. There is different girls in the field. Weather is different. Golf course could be different. There are so many variabilities that just completely changes it. I try not to take that approach of I’m defending and just take the approach of this is a new week, new opportunity and I’m prepared. I’m going to prepare my hardest and go into the week with a positive attitude.”

Rose Zhang, on her offseason as a student and a professional golfer

“I’ve actually been having a really good offseason so far. I think especially with last two years being super hectic, I kind of took some time off and reflected a little bit on how I operated, how my systems were. I touched base with my entire team so we did a little camp together right before I headed out here. I’m currently at school for winter quarter, so 22 units is definitely a hefty load. It’s good now that I can be in person and kind of prioritize that in the offseason. So it’s keeping me busy. I’m just thinking about how to better myself for this upcoming season.”

Lauren Coughlin, 2024 ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and CPKC Women’s Open champion, on anticipating the 2025 season

“Yeah, I think my big one this year is International Crown. The fact that it’s in Korea just sounds so much fun. The fans there are like some of the best we get to play in front of. In that type of setting I think will be really, really special. Winning a major, winning any other event would be another one. Yeah, try get into the top-10 world ranking. There is a bunch of little ones. The big one is International Crown.”