The LPGA Tour is lauching its fall Asian swing this week at the Buick LPGA Shanghai 2026, but the circuit's most dominant player won't be in the field. Top-ranked Nelly Korda opted out of all four stops on the schedule's month-long run overseas.
Door Opens for Thitikul with Korda Missing Asia
Korda, who sits atop the Player of the Year standings too, hasn't started a tournament since the Solheim Cup in September. Her absence in Asia gives Jeeno Thitikul a real chance to close the gap.
Thitikul will look to defend her Shanghai title from last year while matching Korda's four-win record this season. And with the Race to CME Globe still up for grabs, the next four weeks of competition could rewrite the player rankings.
After China, the LPGA schedule moves to South Korea then to Malaysia and. The tour eventually returns to Florida for its final two events in November.
Korda Sacrifices Trophy Race for Rest
Korda is set to tee off in the Panhandle, but her extended break comes at a cost.
She currently leads the Vare Trophy race with a 69.38. That award is given to the player with the lowest scoring average of the season. But, without enough competitive rounds in 2026, Korda won't qualify.
Korda's making good use of her time away from the green, though. Her sister and fellow LPGA pro Jessica Korda recently welcomed a baby girl, and Korda wasted no time celebrating on Instagram.
