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The LPGA Tour has commenced its fall Asian swing this week with the Buick LPGA Shanghai 2026, but the tour’s leading star, Nelly Korda, will not be participating. The top-ranked player has chosen to skip all four tournaments scheduled during this month-long overseas stretch, leaving an opening in the competition and the rankings.
Opportunity Arises for Thitikul in Korda’s Absence
Nelly Korda, who also leads the Player of the Year standings, has not competed since the Solheim Cup in September. Her decision to sit out the Asian swing provides a significant chance for Jeeno Thitikul to narrow the gap in the rankings. Thitikul arrives in Shanghai aiming to defend her title earned last year and to match Korda’s impressive tally of four victories this season.
With the Race to CME Globe still undecided, the upcoming four weeks of play across Asia could dramatically alter the leaderboard. After concluding the events in China, the LPGA schedule proceeds to tournaments in South Korea and Malaysia, before returning to Florida for the season’s final two competitions in November.
Korda Prioritizes Rest Over Trophy Pursuit
Although Nelly Korda plans to return to competition in Florida’s Panhandle, her extended break throughout the Asian swing comes with notable consequences. Currently, she leads the Vare Trophy standings with an average score of 69.38, an award recognizing the player with the lowest scoring average over the season. However, her absence during these critical tournaments may impact her ability to maintain this lead.
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